This drink has absolutely broken all types of myths when it comes to “barrier of entry” to making cocktails. This drink in particular, leads to another post which we will discuss soon, the HIGHBALL (which is a style of cocktail). The simplest forms of drink are often with the most beautiful history and impact in our drinking lives as a culture.
Here, we will dive into this cuban gem of a drink, and see how it has both influenced the cocktail scene, as well as rhythm of globalization.
HISTORY
The Spanish-American war brought a lot of havoc to our world in the late 1800s. It is said that Teddy Roosevelt and his rough riders were in Havana, around 1901, at a bar with a group of Cubans. The story goes that the Americans ordered a mix of rum and Coca-Cola and toasted with their fellow Cuban and American comrades shouting, “Por Cuba libre!” — “to a free Cuba!”
Now, this is the most credible story that comes about for this time period and overall cocktail creation. According to Wayne Curtis’ book And a bottle of Rum, the other story is most often frowned upon for its lack of solid validity. It goes as such:
A man named Fausto Rodriguez wrote out a document claiming that in 1900, a US Army Signal Corps messenger walked into a Havana bar with an officer friend and ordered a Bacardi and Coca-Cola. The American soldiers present also ordered a round for themselves and they all found the drink to their liking.
Of course, like many cocktail histories may prove, this story sounds just a bit TOO good to be true…
The supposed document was published in 1966 by LIFE magazine, and paid for by (you guessed it) Bacardi. Bacardi has been notorious for promoting itself as the “original creators” of many a drink. And honestly, many companies do the same. It is just a shame for people like me, or the great David Wondrich, that are looking for concrete histories of certain drinks we know and love behind our bars today, it is virtually impossible to get a definitive answer.
RECIPE
Either way, the Cuba Libre came about due to Cuba’s open trade agreements with the rest of the world at the time. Coca-Cola is an American product that was made by a man called John Pemberton from Atlanta. The open trade allowed Coca-Cola to cross borders into Cuba and find its way into the many glasses of rum it mixed with, and Americans’ hearts along the way. It was the ideal drink for any person, and to be enjoyed about any time.
So here is the best way to make a Cuba Libre. Its all about the ratios! Which we will discuss in a future post:
2 oz (60mL) white rum
6 ounces Coca-Cola (preferably one that is made with fresh cane sugar, like the Mexican-made Cola)
1 lime wedge
Preparation: get a (10oz is customary or 12) highball glass (frozen, if you can). Pour in rum. Then add the ice. Top off with Coca-Cola. Squeeze freshly cut lime wedge into the drink, stir gently, and enjoy!
Now, there is also what is called a CUBATA, which is a Cuba Libre made with aged rum. Normally, this is a tradition that was brought about in Cuba as well, but the Rum and Cokes that we see are either made with white rum or even spiced rum, which are more readily available in abundance.
No matter how or when you enjoy your Cuba Libre, it will always be another one of those staples that lead to a good time. This refreshing drink should NOT be overlooked when considering having a gathering at home, or when you are at a bar that might not have the capacity to make the drink that you normally have.
Cheers, Y por Cuba libre!!
Jonathan Echavarria 