#FridayCocktail – Cuba Libre
Cuba Libre. Mmmm…exotic and tropical. A Caribbean delight, for sure.
The North American translation; rum & coke. Exotic, not so much. But, with its rich history and many variations, still a popular choice. In fact, Wikipedia (and, how can we not take that for fact!) claims it as the world’s second most popular cocktail.
There are many stories tracing back the origins of the Cuba Libre. What we do know is the drink was invented in Cuba sometime around 1900.
Why 1900? Cola was first available in Cuba around the turn of the century and Cuba Libre! was the battle cry of the Cuban Liberation Army during the war of independence that ended in 1898.
Regardless of its origin, today, the world’s second most popular cocktail has taken on many different personalities. Here are a few favourites.
Classic Cuba Libre
Ingredients
2 ounces of white or a light rum
Juice from 1/2 lime
Lime wedge (for garnish)
Cola
Ice
Preparation
Fill a highball glass halfway with ice.
Add rum, lime juice and top with cola.
Garnish with a lime wedge.
Cubata
Ingredients
2 ounces of dark or premium rum
Juice from 1/2 lime
Lime wedge (for garnish)
Cola
Ice
Preparation
Fill a highball glass halfway with ice.
Add rum, lime juice and top with cola.
Garnish with a lime wedge.
Cuba Campechana
Ingredients
2 ounces of white rum
Juice from 1/2 lime
Lime wedge (for garnish)
Cola
Club Soda
Ice
Preparation
Fill a highball glass halfway with ice.
Add rum, lime juice and top with equal parts of cola and club soda.
Garnish with a lime wedge.