Cuba Libre

Using a cuban rum would fit the bill for this recipe, but truth be told, any type of rum works well here – it’s down to your preference. You could even use a blend of rums, if you wish.

When you serve a cocktail with a lime wedge, it implies that the drinker has an option to squeeze the juice into the cocktail, if so desired. If you or your guests prefer the lime juice, you could, alternatively, add 15ml of it and garnish with a lime wheel instead.

Cuba Libre (Free Cuba) is an expression that came from the war of independence from Spain from 1868-1878.

A drink also called the Cuba Libre was drunk by revolutionary fighters during that time, although it featured a mix of honey, molasses and water, with possibly aguardiente (either a distillate from cane juice, or a name for distillates in general).

The expression “¡Cuba Libre!” was used again in the Spanish-American war of 1898. A US Army camp near Jacksonville, Florida received the name Camp Cuba Libre. 

The difference between a Cuba Libre and a Rum and Coke is the use of lime.