RestaurantsWhite RabbitHavana Roja Recipe

Havana Roja Recipe

Inspired by White Rabbit
Time30m
Serves2

fragrant, savoury, refreshing

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Ingredients

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Mocktail Base

Method

Prepare Tomato Water

1

Make tomato water

Quarter 2 medium ripe tomatoes and pulse briefly in a blender until broken down but not fully pureed (about 4–6 pulses). Place the pulp in a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth set over a bowl. Let drain in the refrigerator for 1 hour, pressing gently once to release clear tomato water. You should end up with about 1/2 cup. Discard solids.

Make Ginger Syrup (if not using store-bought)

2

Quick ginger syrup

Combine 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup sugar and 2 tablespoons sliced fresh ginger in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Simmer 3 minutes, remove from heat and steep 10 minutes. Strain and cool. Use 2 tablespoons for the recipe; store remainder refrigerated up to 1 week.

Build the Base

3

Muddle herbs and aromatics

In a cocktail shaker or large mixing glass, add cilantro leaves, mint leaves, freshly grated ginger and the sea salt and cracked black pepper. Gently muddle 6–8 times — press just enough to bruise the herbs and release oils without turning them into a paste.

4

Combine liquids

Add the fresh pineapple juice, freshly squeezed lime juice, tomato water, ginger syrup and agave syrup to the muddled herbs. Add 4–6 large ice cubes to the shaker to chill the mixture.

5

Shake and chill

Secure the shaker lid and shake vigorously for 10–12 seconds until the exterior is frosty and well-chilled. This chills, dilutes slightly and extracts aromatic flavor from the muddled herbs.

Finish & Serve

6

Double strain

Fill two highball glasses with ice (about 1 cup each). Double-strain the shaken mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into the glasses to remove herb fragments and ice shards, distributing evenly between the two glasses.

7

Top with carbonation

Top each glass with 1/2 cup chilled sparkling water or club soda (about 4 oz per glass). Gently stir once with a bar spoon to integrate without flattening carbonation.

8

Add bitters (optional)

If using alcohol-free aromatic bitters, add 1 dash per glass and stir gently to incorporate. This deepens the savoury-aromatic profile.

9

Garnish

Garnish each glass with a lime wheel and a sprig of cilantro. Optionally slap the mint between your palms and add a leaf for an extra fragrant top note.

10

Serve

Serve immediately while fizzy. Encourage guests to stir lightly before sipping to lift the tomato and herb aromatics through the drink.