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Occasion

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (87)
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 1/2 fl oz Caribbean blended rum aged 6-10 years
1 fl oz Cockburn's Tawny Eyes Port
1/2 fl oz Galliano Espresso Coffee liqueur

How to make

Glassware

Serve in a Snifter/Brandy balloon glass

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a SNIFTER/BRANDY BALLOON GLASS.
  2. Prepare coffee beans for garnish.

Method

  1. STIR all ingredients with ice.
  2. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

  1. Garnish with 3 coffee beans floated on surface.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Strength 8/10
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Sweet to sour 5/10

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Occasion contains 222 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.6 standard drinks
  • 24.67% alc./vol. (49.34° proof)
  • 22.2 grams of pure alcohol

Allergens:

Recipe contains the following allergens:

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History

Adapted from a recipe created by Alejandro Bolivar, head bartender at El Floridita in Havana, Cuba for La Casa del Habano in Montreal, Canada, where Alejandro has visited during numerous summer trips.

Review

A dessert cocktail designed to complement Cuban cigars.

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Gallery

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Comments & Discussion

Matt Premium Member
I think the coffee liqueur used is very important in driving the flavor - I used Borghetti and appreciated the earthy and mild bitter espresso with the rum notes, but it was a bit sweet and the port was hard to find. Maybe Mr. Black to dial back sweetness. Other comments suggest use of bitters - I think chocolate would fit nicely, and perhaps black walnut.
score: 1
Colin R
The port is a bit dominant for my palate as written. The addition of bitters both pulls back the sweetness and adds another layer of complexity. I’ve found both tobacco and mole bitters work very well with this recipe.

By the way, very small correction but the description calls for placing the coffee beans on the cocktail’s foamy head. I suspect maybe copy/pasted from the espresso martini spec :)
score: 1
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
Many thanks for bringing to my attention. I've now corrected the garnish instruction.
score: 0
Annechien Premium Member
Made this with Abuelo 12 yrs - delicious. Quite sweet and tons of flavour. Be careful not to over-dilute it.
score: 0
Caspian Berggren Premium Member
I can really see why this was made to accompany cigars. The coffee isn't obvious on the palate but it adds a roasted, smokey, almost tobacco-y note to the rum and port which makes it (I imagine) really good with a cigar. It's a sophisticated drink made to sip and enjoy over time. The burnt sugar/ caramel notes in El-Dorado 8 worked really well but it was almost a bit too much with the other components (Graham's 10 and Mr Black). I might up the others ever so slightly next time.
score: 2
Wayne Hanley
Very enjoyable. On a whim, I added a dash of chocolate bitters. It added an extra subtle depth to an otherwise fine sipper of a cocktail.
score: 1
Colin Cook
I used Hampden Estate 8yo, Taylor’s 20yo and Mr. Black, and this turned out very well.
score: 2
Colin Cook
Considering the origin of the recipe, I may try again with Havana Club 7.
score: 2
Tessa .
Only had Bacardi Carta Blanca in the house, but this sounded so good that I wanted to give it a whirl anyway. And it’s delicious! With the Carta Blanca substitution, the Kahlúa becomes very front and center, but the other flavors aren’t totally lost. I’ll make the modified version again, but with 1/4 oz. Kahlúa instead of 1/2 oz.
score: 2
John Hinojos Premium Member
Found this very interesting. As written it is great. The port does seem to overpower the other ingredients, but not in a bad way. The other ingredients add to the overall taste. I would have again, but may cut back on the port so the other flavours will shine through bettter.
score: 3