The classic rum cocktail already has a place in every person’s heart, and it is a classic Cuban drink. If you are a big drinker or you like to try different drinks, you surely heard about the great rum and cola, better known as Cuba Libre.
Cuba Libre is a drink that became popular several years ago and has been delighting the palate of those who love this precious mixture for decades. On the island it is the most recognized drink and, although its name is something we tend to naturalize when we hear it, it is a Cuban drink that has a whole history behind it. Stay to know how it is and how to prepare the best Cuba Libre!
Why is the drink called Cuba Libre?
According to different sources and the numerous stories within Cuban families, the origin of the Cuba Libre goes back to the end of the Spanish-American war, when the American soldiers mixed cola and Cuban rum to toast the liberation of Cuba: «Viva Cuba Libre!» None of them knew that at that exact moment one of Cuba’s classic drinks was born, a combination of rum and cola that would become more and more popular over the years.Rum and cola turned out to be a refreshing drink with feelings of victory and peace.
Although there are other versions, such as that of a U.S. Navy messenger who accidentally mixed these different ingredients to toast, the officially accepted version is the other one.
How is the Cuba Libre drink prepared?
Among the great Cuban drinks such as the daiquiri, the mojito and many others, the Cuba Libre recipe has the virtue of being easy to make and will never let you down when spending time with friends or enjoying a family moment.
Whether after dinner, during or after a long working day, rum and cola is the ideal companion for Cuban friends and for those who want to know a little more about Cuba’s drinking culture. In addition to its social role, the Cuba Libre is an extremely refreshing drink. Today we’ll teach you how to make your own drink with this simple and complete recipe.
Ingredients:
What are the ingredients of the Cuba Libre drink? This is usually one of the biggest questions when it comes to buying a drink like this. When you are just starting out and want to try great drinks, you are often unaware of their composition. For this reason, it is essential to always consult the ingredients before drinking or preparing it. In this case, the ingredients of the Cuba Libre recipe are:
- White rum
- Cola soda
- Lemon juice
- Ice
- 1 slice of lemon
Remember that these products and many more can be found at El Mercadito!
The step by step of this recipe is very easy. Of course, we suggest that after getting to know the original recipe, we encourage you to prepare your own variations and add whatever you think it needs.
Step by step:
- Fill a glass half full of ice to keep the drink cold and assemble our Cuba Libre. If you have a tube-shaped glass, this will help your drink look more professional and give the appearance of a great Cuban cocktail.
- To the chosen glass we will add 50 ml of white rum and 100 ml of cola. If you do not have a measuring cup, you can add the drink a little at a time and try the different proportions. If you are a strong drinker, you can leave the rum as the main character.
- We mix very well to integrate the alcohol and cola.
- Once we feel comfortable with the flavor, we add a little lime juice and decorate it with a slice on the rim of the glass.
- Our Cuba Libre is ready to serve! The great Cuban drink is now ready to be the life of the party (or dinner).
What is the best rum for the Cuba Libre?
The base of the Cuba Libre recipe is usually a white rum, but if necessary you can opt for other types of lighter or less alcoholic rum.
In case you are a great rum lover, you can mix it with a reserve rum or one a little stronger than the basic one.
Foods that go best with Rum and Coke
If you want to continue surprising yourself a little more, we will leave you with a list of foods that combine fantastically with rum and cola and add another flavor to such an extraordinary drink.
- «Ropa Vieja»
The excellent flavor of the rice, the beef and the different spices in this recipe make a fantastic combination with Cuba Libre. Try it and you will see what we are talking about!
- Shrimp cocktail
A simple and quick recipe will make your life easier if you have a drink like Cuba Libre on hand. It’s a refreshing dish that will suit any palate.
- «Moros y cristianos»
Black beans are usually the protagonists of this dish, but the rum and cola will not be far behind. The combination of the spongy rice will make the drink a unique refreshing drink to go with this great dish.
- «Vaca Frita»
One of the most recognized dishes in Cuba. As it has a crunchy texture, the mouth has the natural stimulus to react to the drink. Therefore, it is essential that the Cuba Libre is the first protagonist to which a person can go when eating this dish.
These were our personal recommendations so that you can enjoy a dinner and a Cuba Libre as it should be, or at least as we do in Cuba! The Cuba Libre is a simple recipe that will hypnotize every person if you make it firmly and being sure of the amount of rum you want to pour.
If your mouth is already watering, we recommend you to visit our site either to get some of the ingredients of the Cuba Libre or to delight yourself with the best food of the island.