The Skinny Portorican
Firstly let’s take a step back and have a chat about an absolute tasty classic; the Cuba Libre. This simple combination consisting of a quality rum, the juice of fresh limes topped up with the local cola. Served tall with lots of ice. I find myself a big fan of this cocktail, especially when it’s mixed up with a decent dark rum. I have found that this drinks popularity is in relation to the location it is made. Like when I was working in the Caribbean this drink used to fly over the bar, but now in South Africa it not as common. But one thing I have learnt is that the fresh lime juice is essential in the final flavour of this world known recipe. If you don’t have good quality fresh limes, don’t waste your time!
So this now brings me to the “Skinny Portorican”, a name we came up with whilst working abroad with the amount of people that order a Cuba Libre but with Sugar free cola! The whole concept of “watching your wait” or being healthy has changed many classic recipes into commercial propositions! This being said, why not change with the movement! So we named the recipe of Rum, fresh limes and sugar-free or light cola to the “Skinny Portorican”! And for me as a diabetic mixologist this is right up my alley! I could honestly say that if you have some really great Brazilian limes, the flavour is almost identical.
So when I’m out and about and not in the mood for my usual scotch, I will suck back on a couple Skinny Portoricans just to get that incredible flavour that was discovered so many years ago. Recently I tried a skinny Portorican at Bramble Bar in Edinburgh, where I had it with El Dorado 15yr. Very rich rum but incredible flavours. I also had it in a short glass just so I got the best from the 15yrs!
So, the next time you watching your weight or trying to be healthier or even just a diabetic, order yourself the Skinny Portorican, you’ll never look back!
