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Canchànchara

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (228)
Canchànchara image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
2 fl oz Light gold rum (1-3 year old molasses column)
1/2 fl oz Lime juice (freshly squeezed)
2/3 fl oz Honey syrup (3 parts honey to 1 water by weight)

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

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How to make

Glassware

Serve in an Old-fashioned glass

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill an OLD-FASHIONED GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of lime wedge.

Method

  1. SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
  2. STRAIN into ice-filled glass.

Garnish

  1. Garnish with lime wedge.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Canchànchara contains 181 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.4 standard drinks
  • 18.58% alc./vol. (37.15° proof)
  • 18.9 grams of pure alcohol

Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

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History

Known as the forerunner of the Daiquiri and drunk by Cuban revolutionaries fighting off the Spanish at the end of the nineteenth century, the Canchànchara is a simple mix of honey, citrus and rum (originally aguardiente de caña rather than rum).

Although there is some debate as to its origins, most historians favour the Ten Years War, 1868-78. Anistatia Miller and Jared Brown, in their book Cuban Cocktails, say it was certainly present at the height of the 1898 Spanish-American Civil War.

Review

Your choice of honey and rum will greatly affect the flavour and, indeed, the success of the finished cocktail. More flavoursome honey demands a more robust rum, so best you're guided by what your local beekeeper supplies. Achieve the perfect balance between sweet honey and sour lime and this is a truly great cocktail.

AKA: Cancha

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$1.04 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 12.5 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


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Comments & Discussion

Chris Dimal
Inspired by the idea of Aguardiente, I used a mix of Havana Club 3, Germana Soul Cachaca and even some OFTD for some additional spice and age. The result is one of the most delectable sours ever. I got a fantastic cocktail with great savouriness, richness and depth.
score: 1
Vera Lycaon
To get something more in line with the 19th century experience, I like to make these with two heavy-handed bar spoons of straight up honey thoroughly stirred into the juice, and white rhum agricole. Very tasty.
score: 1
Simon Sedgley Premium Member
We use Leatherwood Honey which, having a big flavour, we pair with Plantation Xaymaca 100% pot still Rum. And we up the lime a tad. Makes for a big, boisterous and delicious Sour.
score: 1
Benedikt Premium Member
Made this with Havana Club Especial and agave syrup (you can substitute 1:1) as 3:1 honey syrup and agave syrup should both have around 77 brix.
Tastes amazing and is made in absolutely no time at all!
score: 1
Alejandro Serrano Ferrer
Instead of aguardiente or gold rum try with with aged rum and a pinch of salt. Keep the rest of the recipe. Let me know!
score: 1
Daniel Jones
I found my favorite version of this cocktail and, regardless of the type of rum, it's 2 oz Rum, 1/2 oz 2:1 Honey syrup & 1/2 oz to 2/3 oz Lime juice. Shaken with one medium/small ice cube until I can't hear it anymore in the shaker tin & dumped over any type of ice.
score: 1
Annechien Premium Member
Agreed! I used 2 oz rum, 1/2 oz 2:1 honey syrup, 1/2 oz lime juice. I love this ratio. And I think I could’ve gone up to 2/3 oz lime juice because it was still quite sweet.
score: 1
Daniel Jones
Since my previous post I've actually started using a honey syrup ratio in between 2:1 & 1:1, more similar to your thinking with it being a little too sweet. I've also started using a standard full shaker tin of ice & cut a juiced lime husk into slices & shake it to get all those lime oils for flavor. I do a half shake & dump everything into the glass, & right now my favorite is with Avua Prata or Amburana Cachaça.
score: 3
C Clinton
Tasty summery cocktail-helping cool off this ridiculous Phoenix heat!
score: 1
Lynn Garvie
Don't overthink this.
Any rum, any honey syrup and fresh lime juice and it's going to taste good.
The mix is perfect!
(Canchanchara)
score: 3
Matt Premium Member
Honey syrup is central to the flavor, and it is apparent that my honey syrup is lacking :( I used cachaca (as noted by Iayn, likely more true to the cocktail's origin), which I enjoyed. Between the cachaca and the honey syrup this becomes quite distinct from a daiquiri - but this is certainly delicious in its own right. Highly recommended for rum/daiquiri lovers - experiment and make this your own.
score: 1

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Difford’s Shop logo
$1.04 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 12.5 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

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