Cuba Libre Recipe, An Easy 3-Ingredient Rum Drink For Your Cocktail Night
Cuba libre, now a globally renowned cocktail, has a rich history rooted in Cuban cultures. Over time, the drink travelled from Cuba to different mixology spaces and became a very popular blend known for its balance of sweet, acidic and rich caramelised flavours. On the face of it, cuba libre is simply a coming together of rum, cola and a hint of lime juice. But undergirding the straightforward cocktail recipe is a deep understanding of how these different flavours can be brought together in just the right proportion so they blend harmoniously.
Here’s a simple recipe to craft this stunning cuba libre:
Ingredients:
- 30 ml dark rum (Cuban or Caribbean style)
- 90 ml chilled cola
- 10 ml freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice as required
- Lime wheel for garnish
Method:
– Fill a tall highball glass with ice. Add to it 30 ml dark rum (Cuban or Caribbean style) and 10 ml freshly squeezed lime juice. Top up with 90 ml chilled soda. Stir gently but avoid over mixing. Garnish with a lime wheel.
Optional Pro Twist: Add just a couple of dashes of citrus bitters to the cocktail for more complexity.
Tips To Make A Perfect Cuba Libre Cocktail
The cuba libre sounds deceptively simple to blend but too much lime juice can make the cocktail too acidic and flattened cola will make it lose out on its textural nuance. Here are some tips to get this drink just right:
– Use Good Quality Rum: The spirit forms the flavour base of this cocktail. A well-aged dark rum or a smooth white rum can be interesting options which shine through the cola.
– Fresh Lime Juice, Always: Bottled or stale lime juice cannot deliver the brightness and zing of the fresh version and this is what adds a lot of fresh, bright notes into the cocktail.
– Balance The Fizz: Add the cola to the cocktail at the very end and stir gently to preserve the bubbles. Always use chilled, unopened cola for maximum fizz.
– Temperature Control: The cuba libre is traditionally served ice-cold so pre-chill your serving glass and all cocktail ingredients for maintaining the temperature. Also use large ice cubes to slow down dilution.
– Experiment With Variations: Try out other variations which involve adding a splash of orange or grapefruit bitters or using spiced rum and cinnamon as options which bring more complexity into the blend.
All cocktails listed use 30 ml liquor measurements for single serves. Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
