The Cuba Libre

The Cuba Libre

This incredibly simple, easy, and tasty drink has certainly stood the test of time, and remains ever popular today.  Perhaps you remember, or more likely, don’t remember, what you have done after a few “rum and cokes”?  With the resurgence of quality craft cocktail enthusiasm, you will likely find that your rum and coke is now more like the original “Cuba Libre”, which includes fresh lime juice and a few dashes of Angostura bitters.  What’s old is new.  Some even insist the original had a bit of gin in the mix.  It’s impossible to know exactly how the original Cuba Libre tasted, but it was certainly more complex than a rum and coke.  Coca Cola was very different in 1900, after all, both in flavor and certain ingredients ….  What’s remained the same is how easy it is to make.  So you can save up your energy for the puzzle box, obviously.  Cheers!

See you in Havana!

Cuba Libre

2 oz rum (light, dark, aged – it’s all up to you. Go on, experiment!)

½ oz fresh squeezed lime juice (about ½ a lime)

Cola (Mexican Coca Cola is great due to the cane sugar, and other small batch brands are great too)

½ oz gin (optional, for the truly ambitious)

2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters

Squeeze the lime into your glass then drop it in.  Add the rum (and gin).  Drop in a few ice cubes, add the cola and bitters, stir, and enjoy.