Cuba Libre @ TBI Boozy Fridays vol.10

The freedom Fighters’ drink or otherwise “Free cuba” or “Cuba libre”. had a special political significance.

The Cuba Libre cocktail is associated with the American – Spanish war in the early 1890s. Americans liberated Cuba and in their “traditional” Cuban rum they added “traditional” American coca cola.

The legend continues that in August 1900, while celebrating victory at the American Bar in Havana, one Captain Russell of the United States Army Signal Corps, ordered a Bacardi with Coke and a lime. Other soldiers followed him. Russell, in order to keep the celebratory spirit, proposed a toast, “¡Por Cuba libre!” in celebration of a free Cuba.

According to Charles H. Baker Jr book, in 1930s, the year that the drink was in fashion, the best way to drink it was with a big jigger of Carta de oro Bacardi rum, the juice of small green lime and the lime peel after squeezing and coca cola.

The Cuba Libre formula

from Ben Reed’s “Bartender’s Guide”

– 50ml white rum

– 2 lime wedges

– Coca cola to top up

Method: Building

Glass: Collins

Garnish: Lime Wedge

Ice : Cubed