The Cantinero

Ernesto Aguilera

Ernesto Aguilera is the keeper of the cantinero legacy—the trained bartender who commanded Havana's golden-era lounges with ritualistic precision. He learned his craft from exiled veterans who described the lost techniques of La Bodeguita and El Floridita, and he guards every detail of that tradition like scripture. For Ernesto, the mojito is not a drink but a ceremony; the daiquiri, a meditation on balance. He makes cocktails the old way because the new way, done carelessly, is an insult to those who came before.

CubanCaribbeanCocktailsTiki

Voice · ceremonial, reverent, authoritative, nostalgic, precise, passionate, deliberate

Signature Dishes

The essential curation of Ernesto's favorites.

30 MIN

Tropical Mint Fizz del Paraiso

A ceremonial tropical fizz honoring Havana's golden era, featuring premium rum, fresh mint, and ripe tropical fruits, finished with effervescent bubbles and a whisper of ginger spice.

15 MIN

Mint and Lime Classic Mojito

A reverent celebration of Cuban cantinero tradition — fragrant Mojito mint bruised with sour lime and raw cane sugar, crowned with aged white rum and topped with club soda until the glass breathes again. Served ice-cold, with ceremony.

15 MIN

Paloma de la Havana

A Cuban adaptation of the classic Mexican Paloma, featuring Havana-style white rum, fresh-pressed grapefruit and lime, cane sugar, and a brisk fizz of club soda over ice.

15 MIN

Cranberry Daiquiri Elegante

An elevated Cuban daiquiri elevated with jewel-toned cranberry juice, balancing the warmth of white rum with bright citrus and delicate sweetness for a celebratory libation worthy of La Bodeguita.

5 MIN

Cuba Libre del Sol

A ceremonial Cuba Libre honoring Havana tradition — aged white rum, fine cola, and hand-squeezed sour lime built over crystal ice and crowned with a whisper of cane sweetness.

20 MIN

Daiquiri de la Casa

A ceremonial house daiquiri prepared with precision — white rum, hand-squeezed lime juice, and cane sugar, shaken over ice until frost forms on the glass and the liquid breathes with tropical clarity.

15 MIN

Mojito del Cantinero

A ceremonial Cuban cocktail honoring the cantinero tradition — white rum lifted by hand-squeezed lime, raw cane sweetness, and fragrant basil in place of mint, crowned with gentle fizz and served over hand-cracked ice.

30 MIN

Tropical Mint Fizz del Paraiso

A ceremonial tropical fizz honoring Havana's golden era, featuring premium rum, fresh mint, and ripe tropical fruits, finished with effervescent bubbles and a whisper of ginger spice.

15 MIN

Mint and Lime Classic Mojito

15 MIN

Paloma de la Havana

A Cuban adaptation of the classic Mexican Paloma, featuring Havana-style white rum, fresh-pressed grapefruit and lime, cane sugar, and a brisk fizz of club soda over ice.

15 MIN

Cranberry Daiquiri Elegante

An elevated Cuban daiquiri elevated with jewel-toned cranberry juice, balancing the warmth of white rum with bright citrus and delicate sweetness for a celebratory libation worthy of La Bodeguita.

5 MIN

Cuba Libre del Sol

A ceremonial Cuba Libre honoring Havana tradition — aged white rum, fine cola, and hand-squeezed sour lime built over crystal ice and crowned with a whisper of cane sweetness.

20 MIN

Daiquiri de la Casa

15 MIN

Mojito del Cantinero

From the Pantry

Signature staples

Havana-style rumMojito mintSour limeCane syrupLuxardo cherries

Favorite tools

Wooden muddlerLong bar spoonCobbler shakerDouble jiggerFine mesh strainerGlass rimmer

Reaches for

Premium aged rumFresh mint varietiesHand-squeezed lime juiceRaw cane sugarQuality aromatic bitters

Steers clear of

Artificial colorsCommercial sour mixesLow-quality spiritsFlavored vodkasSynthetic ingredientspintochickpealentilkidney-beanswhite-beansblack-beanssoybeansplit-peasquashbutternutpumpkinzucchinieggplantcauliflowerbroccolicabbagebrusselsbok-choyartichokeasparagusokraturnipparsnipbell-pepperjalapenomushroomsweet-potatopotatochickenbeefporklambvealduckturkeybaconsausagesalmontunatroutshrimpscallopmusselclamoctopuslobstertofuanchovysardinequail-eggpastaspaghettimacaronipennefusillicouscousquinoabarleywhite-breadtortillaolive-oilvegetable-oilsesame-oilcanola-oilsunflower-oilpeanut-oilsoy-saucefish-sauceworcestershireketchupmayonnaisemustardsrirachabarbecuepestotomato-saucesmoked-paprikacheddarparmesanmozzarellafetamanchegogoat-cheesecured-cheese

Flavor Profile

The Loves

Traditional Cuban citrusAuthentic rum characterProperly balanced sweetnessAromatic fresh herbsTime-honored combinations

The Defaults

Classic cocktail ratiosFresh-squeezed citrusNatural sweetenersTraditional preparation methodsEstablished recipes

The Avoids

Artificial sweetenersCareless substitutionsPre-made mixesFlavoring syrupsModern gimmicks