Cuba Libre
A refreshing highball combining rum, Coca-Cola and fresh lime. Crisp and lively with caramel sweetness, bright citrus and a clean rum finish.
Cuba Libre Recipe
- White rum 120 ml
- Lime juice 10 ml
- Coca 120 ml
- Fresh lime 1 wedge
- Ice 200 g, optional
Make it properly
- Fill a highball glass generously with ice.
- Add the rum and fresh lime juice.
- Top with well-chilled Coca-Cola and stir gently to combine without losing too much carbonation.
- Garnish with a fresh lime wedge and serve immediately.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD CUBA LIBRE?
A good Cuba Libre should be refreshing and easy to drink while still allowing the rum to remain noticeable beneath the cola.
Fresh lime is what separates a Cuba Libre from a simple Rum & Cola. Its acidity cuts through the sweetness, lifts the rum and gives the drink its characteristic bright finish.
Well-chilled cola and plenty of ice are equally important. Good carbonation keeps the cocktail lively rather than heavy or overly sweet.
Your recipe, ready to save.
Download a compact recipe card and use the QR code to return to the live builder whenever you need to scale the quantities.
CUBA LIBRE: RECIPE, INGREDIENTS & TIPS
A practical guide to making a classic Cuba Libre, from choosing the right rum and cola to balancing fresh lime and keeping the finished drink cold and sparkling.
THE BEST INGREDIENTS FOR A CUBA LIBRE
The Cuba Libre contains only three liquid ingredients, so each one has a noticeable influence on the finished cocktail.
For the rum, a clean white or light rum works particularly well. It provides sugarcane character and warmth without making the drink overly heavy.
For the cola, Drinkero recommends Coca-Cola Original Taste. Its familiar combination of sweetness, caramel character and carbonation provides a reliable base for the cocktail.
Fresh lime juice is essential. It adds acidity and citrus aroma while balancing the sweetness of the cola.
Finish with a fresh lime wedge for additional aroma and the classic highball presentation.
HOW TO BALANCE A CUBA LIBRE
The foundation of our Cuba Libre is 50 ml rum, 120 ml Coca-Cola and 10 ml fresh lime juice.
The cola provides enough volume and sweetness to create a refreshing highball without completely hiding the rum.
The 10 ml of fresh lime juice is deliberately noticeable but restrained. Too little and the drink becomes little more than Rum & Cola; too much can dominate the rum and cola.
Our ratio keeps the three elements clearly defined: rum for structure, cola for sweetness and carbonation, and lime for freshness and acidity.
THE STORY BEHIND THE CUBA LIBRE
The Cuba Libre is closely associated with Cuba around the turn of the twentieth century, when American-style cola became available on the island.
The name translates as “Free Cuba”, a phrase associated with the movement for Cuban independence.
Stories about the cocktail's exact creation vary, but the combination of Cuban rum, cola and lime became established in Havana and eventually spread internationally.
Although it resembles a simple Rum & Cola, the addition of fresh lime is an important part of the Cuba Libre and gives the drink its brighter, more refreshing character.
TECHNIQUE: BUILD DIRECTLY IN THE GLASS
A Cuba Libre does not require a shaker or mixing glass. It is built directly in the glass in which it will be served.
Fill a highball glass generously with ice, then add the rum and fresh lime juice.
Top with well-chilled Coca-Cola and stir gently just enough to combine the ingredients.
Avoid excessive stirring, which releases carbonation and makes the drink less lively.
Finish with the lime garnish and serve immediately.
HOW TO SERVE A CUBA LIBRE
Serve the Cuba Libre in a highball glass filled generously with ice.
The Coca-Cola should be well chilled and freshly opened so the finished cocktail retains plenty of carbonation.
Garnish with a fresh lime wedge. You can squeeze the wedge gently over the drink before serving to release additional citrus oils and juice.
Serve immediately while the cocktail is cold and sparkling.
Serving options:
Classic: Highball glass + lime wedge
Tall: Collins glass + lime wedge
Extra citrus: Add a lime wheel alongside the wedge
Stronger: Reduce the cola slightly for a more rum-forward drink
Questions about the Cuba Libre
What is a Cuba Libre made with?
A classic Cuba Libre combines rum, cola and fresh lime juice, served over plenty of ice with a lime garnish.
What is the difference between a Cuba Libre and Rum & Cola?
The defining difference is fresh lime. A Rum & Cola can simply contain rum and cola, while a Cuba Libre includes lime juice for additional acidity and citrus character.
What cola is best for a Cuba Libre?
Drinkero recommends Coca-Cola Original Taste for its familiar caramel sweetness, balanced flavour and lively carbonation.
What rum is best for a Cuba Libre?
A clean white or light rum works particularly well, keeping the cocktail refreshing while still providing enough rum character.
How much lime juice should I use?
Our recipe uses 10 ml fresh lime juice per cocktail. This gives enough acidity to balance the cola without overpowering the rum.
Should a Cuba Libre be shaken or stirred?
Neither vigorous shaking nor lengthy stirring is needed. Build the cocktail directly in the serving glass and stir gently after adding the cola.
Can I make Cuba Libres for a group?
Yes. Choose whether you're making 6, 12, 24 or 48 Cuba Libres and Drinkero calculates the rum, Coca-Cola, lime and other ingredients you need.
Is the Cuba Libre an official IBA cocktail?
Yes. The Cuba Libre is included in the International Bartenders Association’s official cocktail list as a Contemporary Classic. See the IBA’s official Cuba Libre recipe for the classic specification.