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Summer drinks Cocktail hour

Cuba libre

Published: 11.30.2016 » Last updated: 07.26.2022

Also known as rum and Coke, Cuba Libre is a cocktail drink made with rum, Coca-cola and a lime wedge.

Cuba Libre cocktail drink

Back in college, we knew Cuba Libre by its American name, rum and Coke, or rum Coke. No lime wedge; just rum and Coca-cola mixed together with no particular rule as to proportion. It was cheaper than beer and, in those days when good-time budget was low, rum Coke made sense.

Story has it that the drink we know as Cuba libre was born in Havana and its name coined by resistance fighters during the Spanish-American War. While it is true that a drink called Cuba libre was already around in 1898, it was not a cocktail drink but a mixture of water and brown sugar.

1900 is generally accepted to be the year when Coca-cola was introduced to Cuba by American soldiers, and the birth of the cocktail drink made by mixing Coca-cola and light rum. Who exactly came up with the idea of mixing the two together is a subject of debate.

As for the drink itself, while light rum and Coca-cola were the original ingredients, know that any kind of rum can be substituted. And the cola can be some other soda drink. Even the addition of lime juice appears to be optional.

Cuba libre

Connie Veneracion
The 1:2 proportion of rum and Coke is not set in stone. You may use equal amounts or even use more rum than Coke. If you do vary the proportion, you may also have to adjust the amount of lime juice to get a good balance.
Cuba Libre cocktail drink
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Prep Time 1 minute min
Cook Time 0 minutes mins
Total Time 1 minute min
Course Drinks
Cuisine Cuban
Servings 1 glass

Ingredients
  

  • juice from half a lime
  • ice cubes
  • lime wedges
  • 2 oz. rum
  • 4 oz. Coca-cola

Instructions
 

  • Squeeze the juice from half a lime directly into a glass.
  • Drop the ice cubes into the glass along with the lime wedges.
  • Pour in rum and Coca-cola.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Connie Veneracion

Lawyer by education. Journalist by accident. Writer by passion. Photographer by necessity. Good food, coffee and wine lover forever. Read more about me and Umami Days. Find me on Flipboard, Substack and Pinterest.

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