Beer based cocktails can be very sophisticated given the quality and style of the beer, the exception, in my book, being the vulgar and disgusting Michelada. A fine stout is a good place to start, having the depth of the malt combined with bitter undertone, just calling for enlightenment. It can be both hearty yet refreshing. Guinness is an obvious choice but you can do better. There are a lot of fine craft stouts available in the UK. Just get a strong one and avoid the silly fruit flavours.
Cuban dark rums, made directly from sugar cane, compliment the stout well. Look for genuine Cuban rum, one that has ‘Made in Cuba’ on the label like Havana 7, not just ‘Established in Cuba’. If you want to push the boat out go for Havana Club Selección de Maestros. Have a glass on its own too. It’s a gorgeous sipping rum.
- 100 ml good dry stout or porter
- 75 ml genuine Cuban dark rum
- 50 ml pasteurised egg white
- 25 ml sugar syrup
Violently dry shake (without ice) everything for a minute or so then add ice and shake again. Sieve into a large highball glass and add a fresh cube of ice.