The Cuban Screw cocktail is, true to its name, the Screwdriver gone Caribbean: the same simple pour of orange juice, but with rum in place of vodka, so the first sip tastes far sunnier than its two ingredients suggest. Smooth white rum softens the citrus with a gentle tropical sweetness, freshly squeezed orange keeps it bright and juicy, and a tall glass packed with ice holds it crisp to the last drop.
Stir one up tonight and let a little island breeze into your evening.
Recipe & How to Make
Ingredients
Recipe no.130
- White Rum — 1 + 1/2 oz (45ml)
- Orange Juice — Full
※ Full = fill the glass about 80–90% full
8 Recommended White Rum brands
Directions
Squeeze fresh oranges and chill the juice. Cut an orange slice or wedge for garnish, if you like.
Add ice, white rum and orange juice to the glass.
Stir well to finish. Garnish with an orange slice or other fruit, if you like.
・Technique ｜ Stir
・Glass ｜ Tumbler / Goblet
・ABV ｜ About 7–8%
・Best Enjoyed ｜ All Day
Cuban Screw ｜ Details & Video
Origin
The Cuban Screw is loved as a Cuban-style Screwdriver made with rum and orange juice. Its name blends “Cuban” with “Screwdriver,” pointing to the classic recipe it builds on.
The Screwdriver itself, vodka and orange juice, is widely linked to mid-20th-century oil workers in the Persian Gulf, who are said to have stirred their drinks with screwdrivers. Swapping vodka for rum brings a softer sweetness and a more tropical aroma, fitting for Cuba’s rich rum heritage.
Who first created the Cuban Screw, and when, remains unknown. Still, it’s easy to see how the popularity of Caribbean rum and the classic Screwdriver came together in this simple twist. White rum keeps it light, while dark rum adds richer depth.
Features & Taste
The Cuban Screw is a fruity, refreshing rum cocktail with a gentle sweetness. White rum’s smooth, light character blends beautifully with the fresh sweetness of orange juice.
Its mild alcohol and juice-like ease make it a great choice for beginners. On a hot summer evening, I always serve it in a tall glass full of ice with a slice of orange, because the aroma lifts the whole drink.
Points, Twists & Food Pairings
Tips for Making It
- Chill the juice and use plenty of ice. A common mistake is using room-temperature juice with just a few ice cubes. The ice melts fast and leaves the drink watery and flat. Chill the juice first and fill the glass with ice so it stays cold and bright to the last sip.
- Start with a 1-to-3 ratio. About one part rum to three parts orange juice gives a smooth, balanced drink. Add a little more rum for a bolder sip, or more juice for an easy-going glass.
- Choose fresh orange juice. Freshly squeezed or 100% juice brings real fruit and natural sweetness. I always squeeze fresh oranges, because the aroma alone makes the drink taste twice as tropical.
Twists
- Dark Rum Cuban Screw — Swap white rum for dark rum. Its caramel and vanilla notes add a richer, deeper finish.
- Lime Kiss — Add a squeeze of fresh lime. The extra acidity brightens the orange and keeps the drink crisp.
- Pineapple Twist — Replace half the orange juice with pineapple juice. It turns the drink even more tropical and juicy.
Food Pairings
- Cuban sandwich — Roast pork, ham and pickles meet bright citrus, which cuts through the richness for a fitting Cuban match.
- Fried plantain chips — Their salty-sweet crunch pairs naturally with the drink’s orange sweetness and rum’s tropical aroma.
- Citrus-marinated grilled chicken — The marinade’s citrus echoes the orange juice, while rum softens the smoky, savory notes.
Recipe video
- Recipe video ｜ Muse Amuse Channel Home
Cuban Screw Cocktail: Easy 2-Ingredient Rum & Orange Recipe
Make the Cuban Screw cocktail, a rum twist on the Screwdriver with fresh orange juice. An easy 2-ingredient tropical drink, light, fruity and refreshing.
タイプ: Cocktail
料理: International
キーワード: Cuban Screw cocktail, rum and orange juice, rum screwdriver, white rum cocktail, easy rum cocktail, Screwdriver variation, tropical cocktail
レシピー歩留まり: 1 drink
準備時間: PT2M
所要時間: PT2M
レシピー材料:
- White Rum — 1 + 1/2 oz (45ml)
- Orange Juice — Full
レシピーの説明:
Prepare:
- Squeeze fresh oranges and chill the juice. Cut an orange slice or wedge for garnish, if you like.
Combine:
- Add ice, white rum and orange juice to the glass.
Stir:
- Stir well to finish. Garnish with an orange slice or other fruit, if you like.
