Cuba Libre — The sweet and sour cocktail classic
The Cuba Libre is not only one of the world’s most famous cocktails but also among the most popular ones. It is enjoyed by both cocktail beginners and enthusiasts alike.
But what makes this rum cocktail, which can be found on every standard cocktail menu, so popular? Today we’re going to get to the bottom of it.
Origin & History
The delicious cocktail allegedly got its name and recipe around 1900 after the liberation of Cuba and the cry “Viva la Cuba libre!” or “Long live free Cuba!”.
American soldiers are said to have celebrated their success after the end of the Spanish-American War with a mixture of limes, rum, and self-imported Coca-Cola. However, Cuba was not really free, as the country was then under American rule.
The Cuba Libre only spread to Europe after the Second World War and became popular through the song by The Andrews Sisters “Rum and Coca-Cola”. What differentiates it from the long drink Rum-Cola is the added lime juice.
Features of the Cuba Libre
The Cuba Libre is not a cocktail, but also a long drink because it contains only one type of spirit. Still, with its sour-sweet taste and easy preparation, it is no longer possible to imagine a cocktail selection without it.
It is important, as with any good cocktail, to pay attention to high-quality ingredients — whether it’s rum, cola, or even the choice of limes, preferably of organic quality. Even though white rum is most often used for this drink due to its milder taste, you can definitely try it with some dark rum.
The rum gets its color from the duration of the storage — the longer the storage time, the darker the color.
Cuba Libre
Ingredients
- 4-5 cl white rum depending on the size of the glass
- 12 cl cola
- 1 lime fresh and organic
- 1 slice lime for decoration
- some ice cubes
Preparation
- Quarter the lime, add it to the glass and mash it with a wooden muddler.
- Put your ice cubes on top and add 1.4 – 1.7 oz rum.
- Mix everything and top up with cola.
- Alternatively, you can just put the ice cubes directly into a glass and add the squeezed juice of half of a lime and the rum.
- Stir everything to mix the ingredients.
- Garnish your cocktail with a slice of lime and a straw. A straw made out of stainless steel or glass straw would be the best choice here.
- And now it's time to enjoy!
Nutrition
Tips for the preparation
You can add a little brown cane sugar for some extra sweetness. If you’re feeling experimental or don’t like lime juice, you can try lemon or orange as an alternative.
Frequently asked questions
Which type of rum is best for the Cuba Libre?
For a traditional Cuba Libre, it’s best to use a mild-flavored white rum.
Which cola should I use?
Many types and brands of cola have different flavors. To not make the drink taste too sweet, you should choose a cola variety with high herbal content.
How can I prepare a non-alcoholic Cuba Libre?
To enjoy your Cuba Libre alcohol-free, use rum syrup from a well-stocked specialty store instead of the real rum.
Leon is a food blogger, nutritionist, and passionate cocktail nerd. He loves trying out new cocktails and sharing his creations. Jonas is also one of the founders and part of the editorial team of Alcipedia.com.
