Cuba Libre Recipe

Posted in Classics, Rum, Uncategorized on February 27, 2014

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Cuba Libre might as well be the easiest to prepare mixed drink. Anyone can do it and it doesn’t take more than a few minutes. However, the effect is more complex because Cuba Libre is popular, fresh and easygoing. It is the perfect drink for young friends who gather together to share jokes and stories and to have fun. It is also great to be served at relaxed and informal parties. Youngsters love it because, to be honest, it is impossible not to like the fresh and unique taste.

No one can tell for sure how this cocktail has appeared. It was definitely invented in Cuba, but it’s almost impossible to tell when. Some say that it became popular during the Spanish-American war when an U.S. Captain asked for it and consumed it together with its soldiers. Others argue that there was no Coca-Cola in Cuba at the time of that war and that the drink appeared in the early 1900s. After all, the history is not really that important. All that matters now is that Cuba Libre exists and it can live up your parties and your gatherings.

In fact, Cuba Libre is very similar with Rum & Coke. However, they are different drinks because the flavor of the cocktail is enhanced by the addition of lime juice which does not exist in Rum & Coke.

Cuba Libre Recipe

You only need:

  • 2 oz. of light rum.
  • Cola.
  • The juice from half a lime
  • Ice.

Put the lime juice in a Collins glass, add the ice cubes, the rum and cola and stir well. Amazingly enough, but this is all it takes to do this drink. It takes only a couple of minutes and you can start the party and enjoy it.

Cuba Libre Variations

Depending on your preferences, you can also try one of the variations. Since this cocktial is such a simple drink and it is so easy to make, there are lots of variations. The recipe is the same, but only certain ingredients might differ.

Here is what you can try if you want to add some diversion to your parties or if some of the guests have different tastes than you:

  • Cubata – it uses Havana Club Especial instead of light rum and it has a more intense flavor.
  • Cuba Light – it is made with Diet Coke instead of regular one.
  • Cuba Pintada – it uses club soda instead of Cola. However, a little bit of Cola is still added in order to obtain a pleasant color.
  • Cuba Missile Crisis – it uses high proof rum and it is obviously stronger.
  • Hot Cuba Libre – it has an extra ingredient: a splash of Caribbean hot sauce.

These are not the only variations of the popular drink, but they are enough to keep you busy during the party. People all around the world have come up with their versions of Cuba Libre based on their different cultures and culinary habits. Australians, for instance, don’t use lime juice, but add some brown sugar. British people often consume Bacardi & Coke, which is not Cuba Libre. However, when they add lime juice to it, they call it Lou Bega. Venezuelans have taken things even further and are adding some gin and bitter to the recipe. However, the resulting drink is far from being Cuba Libre anymore.

As it is often the case, the classic recipe is still the best one.

 

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