You have to admire the Cubans and their style, from the moment Coca-Cola was introduced to the country they started mixing it with alcohol. As this was the early 1900s (estimated to between 1900 and 1902) the original Cuba Libre would have also presumably included cocaine. This would then represent one of those rare circumstances where the ‘businessman’s downfall’ found itself imported into Cuba from the USA. Anyway, enough of that, let’s find out how to mix up a faultless Cuba Libre!
Cuba Libre
Equipment
- 1 Whiskey Tumbler
Ingredients
- Half a Glass of Ice
- 50 ml Captain Morgan Spiced Rum (or similar)
- 100 ml Cola
- The Juice of Half a Lime
- 2 Lime Wedges
Instructions
- Fill the glass halfway with ice
- Pour over 50ml of Rum
- Add the juice of half a lime
- Pour over 100ml of Cola
- Stir lightly
- Garnish with 2 lime wedges
- Drink and repeat
Nutrition
A little more info to Ensure the Perfect Cuba Libre
Major Components
The Glass: A highball is traditional, but for me the Cuba Libre is a no-nonsense cocktail (the same regard I give a gin and tonic or an Old Fashioned) so I use a whiskey tumbler, a glass I can wrap my hand around and doesn’t require a straw. You’re looking for something around 310mm like these tumblers.
The Ice: Ice has 3 jobs, firstly to cool the drink, secondly to make it look awesome and finally to fill the void the glass would have without it. So, fill the glass about halfway with large cubes of ice
The Alcohol: A white Rum comes in a bit too bland for a Cuba Libre, and a dark a touch too heavy. However, a nice spiced rum sits perfectly between the two. I generally go for a mid tier brand like Captain Morgan Spiced Gold. Feel free to experiment.
The Cuba Libre Ratio
Any drinks that have a mixture of 1 base spirit and 1 mixer need to have the correct ratio of each. Too little mixer and all you can taste is alcohol, too much and all you taste is mixer. So, for this I go by the rule of thirds, 1 third alcohol to 2 thirds mixer, plus a little lime juice to enhance the taste. This is infinitely scalable.
Next Level Cocktail Making
Upon mastering this, one of the simplest cocktails on the menu, budding mixologists can move onto something a little more complicated. One step up from the Cuba Libre, those looking for a difficult Sunday morning can whip up a deceptively dangerous Long Island Iced Tea. Alternatively, they can add a touch of class to the weekend with a Classic Martini, or a glorious Old Fashioned.
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