[PHOTO_186861]While the mysteries of the origin behind the Cuba Libre have yet to be irrefutably solved, one thing is certain - upon its creation, the drink was a raving success. Most agree that the Cuba Libre (more commonly referred to as the rum and Coke) was, in fact, first created in Cuba, however the timing is uncertain.
1900 is believed to be the year Coca-Cola was introduced to Cuba; that would have been just after the War of Independence, which ended in 1898. Fresh off of the recent victory earning Cuba freedom from Spain, the Cuba Liberation Army's battle cry of "Cuba Libre!" became a unifying call for national pride, and is still common to this day.
And, just as every good war victory deserves a signature drink, the first time rum was combined with Coca-Cola, it was aptly dubbed the Cuba Libre. Walk into most bars anywhere else in the country and order a drink by this name, rather than a rum and Coke, and likely no one will know what you are talking about. Come down to Miami, a city rich in Cuban tradition, and that's the only way to ask for it.
To make your own Cuba Libre, use the following recipe:
Ingredients:
2 oz. white rum
2 oz. cola
Juice of 1/2 lime
Directions:
Fill a highball glass with ice, pour in the rum and cola, squeeze the lime juice over top, and garnish with a lime slice.
