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    Home » Cocktails » Rum

    Easy Cuba Libre Cocktail Recipe

    LAST UPDATED: November 2, 2019 PUBLISHED: October 28, 2019 By Pam Greer 4 Comments As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    It's amazing the difference that lime adds to a rum and coke!  This Cuba Libre Cocktail use lime to balance the sweetness of the coke.  It is so refreshing and so delicious!  

    Cocktail glass filled with a cuba libre.

    A Rum and Coke with Lime

    Let's face it, I've had plenty of rum and cokes in my day.  Way back when the only cocktails I knew of were a gin and tonic and a rum and coke.  The gin and tonic was my favorite, I loved the bitterness and herbiness of it.  The rum and coke was sweet and didn't taste like a cocktail at all. 

    I had no idea there was something called a Cuba Libre cocktail.  I have an old Trader Joe's cocktail book from 1972 and it actually has 3 versions of the Cuba Libre!  So, the cocktail was definitely around I had just never heard of it! 

     

    A Cuba Libre is basically a rum and coke with lime.  Some versions use lime juice and some versions use the lime juice and the actual spent lime shell.  I liked the idea of getting as much from the lime as possible, so I went with the version using the lime shell too.

    Rum, coke and lime to make a Cuba Libre cocktail.

    What's in a Cuba Libre? 

    All you need to make this easy rum cocktail is:

    • Rum - you want to use a light rum.  A dark rum would make the drink even more sweet. 
    • Coke - we like to use a Coke that contains real sugar not high fructose corn syrup.
    • Lime - use organic if you can since you'll be using the peel also. 

    Photo showing the steps to making a Cuba Libre Cocktail.

    How to Make this Cuba Libre Cocktail Recipe:

    Cut your lime in half and squeeze into a cocktail glass and drop the lime shell into the glass.  Muddle the lime and the juice.  You are trying to get the lime peel to release even more of it's fragrant oils. 

    Add the ice cubes to the glass and then add the rum. 

    Top with the coke, you want to use about 4 ounces.  Stir lightly and serve! 

    A Cuba Libre cocktail in a glass on a pink polka dotted napkin.

    This Easy Rum Cocktail is So Good! 

    Oh my gosh, this is so good!  If I could go back and tell my college self to add some lime to her rum and coke, I would!  It totally changes the cocktail, making it more complex and more refreshing! 

    More Easy Rum Cocktails:

    My favorite easy rum cocktail is a Dark and Stormy - just two ingredients!  You can make it a little more complex with an Apple Maple version. 

    If you want to go a little tropical, you can't go wrong with a classic mai tai.   Speaking of classics, it's well known that Hemingway knew his way around a daiquiri! 

    For even more follow my Rum Cocktails Recipe Board on Pinterest. 

    Two glasses filled with a Cuba Libre cocktail.
    Print Pin Save Saved!
    5 from 23 votes

    Cuba Libre Cocktail

    Basically a rum and coke with lime. Don't let the simplicity fool you, the lime makes all the difference! So refreshing!
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine Cuban
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time 5 minutes minutes
    Servings 1
    Calories 182.98kcal

    Ingredients

    • 2 ounces rum
    • ½ lime
    • 4 ounces Coke

    Instructions

    • Cut the lime in half and squeeze the juice into a collins or doubles rocks glass. Drop the lime shell into the glass and muddle the lime with the juice.
    • Add ice to the glass about ¾ full. Pour in the rum.
    • Top with the Coke and stir briefly.

    Notes

    Try to use organic limes since you are using the lime peel. 

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 182.98kcal | Carbohydrates: 14.37g | Protein: 0.31g | Fat: 0.09g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 5.78mg | Fiber: 0.94g | Sugar: 10.74g | Vitamin C: 9.75mg | Calcium: 11.06mg | Iron: 0.2mg

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mary // Chattavore says

      October 29, 2019 at 7:57 pm

      5 stars
      Cuba Libre is my favorite drink ever! I want one right now...

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        October 30, 2019 at 8:17 am

        They are so good!

        Reply
    2. Renee Goerger says

      October 28, 2019 at 3:37 pm

      5 stars
      My husband and I love a good Cuba libre! You're speaking our language here!

      Reply
    3. wilhelmina says

      October 28, 2019 at 2:49 pm

      5 stars
      I totally agree, that squirt of lime makes all the difference! This cocktail is a favorite of mine!

      Reply

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    Pam Greer from Sidewalk Shoes

    Hi, I'm Pam. I'm the person who plans whole vacations around where to eat and drink. Beautiful scenery is optional.

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