Rum and Coke
A simple and universally popular highball, the Rum and Coke (often called a Cuba Libre) is a refreshing mix of white or dark rum, cola, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
What is this drink?
The Rum and Coke — properly called a Cuba Libre when made with a squeeze of fresh lime — is one of the most universally ordered highball drinks on the planet. Its origins trace to Havana around 1900, when American soldiers mixed Coca-Cola with Cuban rum and toasted the liberation of Cuba. It is uncomplicated, satisfying, and utterly reliable.
Why you'll love it
There is a reason the Rum and Coke remains a perennial favorite: the sweetness of cola, the caramel warmth of rum, and a squeeze of fresh lime hit a combination of flavors that is immediately pleasing and very easy to drink. Dark rum adds richness and depth; light rum keeps it crisp and clean. Either way, it is one of the most universally satisfying cocktails you can make.
When to serve
The Rum and Coke is the casual social drink par excellence — order it at any bar, make it at home in minutes, or batch it in a pitcher for a party. It belongs at outdoor barbecues, casual dinners, beach days, and anywhere the vibe is relaxed and unpretentious. It pairs beautifully with grilled meats, burgers, pizza, and spicy food.
Pro tip
The lime is the detail that separates a real Cuba Libre from a simple Rum and Coke — always squeeze at least half a lime directly into the glass and drop in the spent wedge. Use a good quality rum (Bacardi, Mount Gay, or Angostura) and a full-sugar cola rather than diet; the caramel sweetness of regular cola complements the rum far better. Build over plenty of ice and pour the cola gently down the side of the glass to preserve carbonation.
White or Dark Rum
White rum creates a clean, crisp drink where the cola shines; dark or aged rum adds caramel, vanilla, and molasses depth that enriches the cola's sweetness. Spiced rum creates a third variation with cinnamon and vanilla complexity.
Cola
The defining mixer. Coca-Cola's combination of caramel sweetness, citrus oils, vanilla, and slight spice is a natural companion to rum. Premium colas or Mexican Coke (made with cane sugar rather than corn syrup) provide a richer, more complex result.
Fresh Lime Juice
The ingredient that transforms a Rum and Coke into a proper Cuba Libre. A generous squeeze of fresh lime juice adds bright acidity that cuts through the sweetness of the cola and rum, elevating the drink from two-ingredient simplicity to genuine cocktail territory.
Swap Options
Use spiced rum for a Spiced Cuba Libre with warm cinnamon and vanilla notes. Substitute the cola with ginger beer for a dark and stormy-inspired variation. Try aged rum like Diplomatico or Zacapa in place of light rum for a more complex sipping experience. Replace lime with lemon for a slightly different citrus profile. A splash of Angostura bitters adds aromatic depth.
Prepare the glass
Fill a highball glass with 1 serving of ice. Using plenty of ice will keep your drink colder and prevent it from becoming too diluted too quickly.
Tips:
- •A taller glass is ideal for highball drinks to accommodate ice and mixer.
Add rum
Pour 2 ounces (60 ml) of white or dark rum over the ice in the glass.
Tips:
- •White rum offers a lighter, crisper taste, while dark rum provides richer, caramel notes.
Add lime juice
Squeeze 1 lime wedge directly into the glass and then drop the squeezed wedge into the drink.
Tips:
- •Fresh lime juice is essential for balancing the sweetness of the cola and rum.
Top with cola and stir
Gently top the glass with 4-5 ounces (120-150 ml) of cola. Stir once or twice very gently to combine the ingredients without losing too much carbonation.
Tips:
- •Pouring the cola slowly helps preserve its fizziness.
- Experiment with different types of rum (e.g., spiced rum) for variations on the classic.
- Adjust the ratio of rum to cola to your personal preference.
- For a 'Diet Cuba Libre,' use diet cola.
- Consider using a premium cola brand for a more refined flavor.
Different ways to make this drink your own
Cuba Libre
The sophisticated version: add a generous squeeze of fresh lime juice and a lime wedge to the glass before the rum and cola. The citrus adds brightness and acidity that transforms a simple rum and coke into a proper cocktail with history and depth.
Spiced Rum & Coke
Replace white or golden rum with a spiced rum (Captain Morgan, Sailor Jerry, or Kraken). The warm notes of cinnamon, vanilla, and clove in spiced rum create a richer, more complex flavour profile that pairs beautifully with cola's caramel character.
Aged Rum & Coke
Use a premium aged rum (Diplomático Reserva, Zacapa 23, or Mount Gay XO) for a dramatically elevated experience. The oak, molasses, and dried fruit complexity of aged rum interacts with cola in a layered, sipping-quality cocktail.
Tools that make this drink come together
Highball or Rocks Glass
A tall highball glass provides room for ice, rum, and cola with space to add a lime wedge garnish without overflow. A rocks glass works for a shorter, stronger serve over fewer ice cubes if preferred.
Bar Spoon
Stir gently once or twice after adding the cola to combine without losing the carbonation. Over-stirring a rum and coke will flatten it quickly — one or two strokes is all that's needed to unite the rum and cola.
Citrus Juicer
For a Cuba Libre specifically, fresh lime juice is essential. A small hand juicer extracts the maximum juice from each lime half quickly and without needing to squeeze directly over the glass and catch pips.
Can't Find These?
Any glass works — tall or short, wide or narrow. Stir with any spoon. Squeeze lime directly into the glass and fish out any pips with a spoon. Rum and coke is one of the most forgiving drinks to make without specialist equipment.
The right glass makes a real difference
Highball Glass
A highball glass is the standard vessel for a rum and coke — tall enough to fit a generous pour of ice, rum, and cola, and wide enough at the top to drop in a lime wedge comfortably. The height also allows the cola to be poured slowly down the side of the glass, preserving its carbonation as it settles over the ice and rum beneath.
Alternatives
A rocks glass over fewer ice cubes gives a shorter, stronger serve preferred by those who like their rum and coke ratio more spirit-forward. A large tumbler or even a pint glass works perfectly. The drink is so simple that virtually any glass is acceptable.
Perfect food pairings to complete the experience
Pulled Pork Sliders
The caramel and molasses notes in aged rum mirror the slow-cooked richness of pulled pork. Cola's sweetness complements barbecue sauce naturally, making this one of the most instinctive and satisfying pairings for a rum and coke.
Salty Pretzels
The saltiness and crunch of pretzels contrast with the sweet caramel of cola and the warmth of rum. Simple and perfectly effective — a go-to snack for casual rum and coke occasions.
Cheese Quesadillas
Melted cheese in a crispy flour tortilla pairs effortlessly with a cold rum and coke. The richness of the cheese is cut through by the carbonation, while the lime in a Cuba Libre adds a welcome brightness alongside the Mexican-style snack.
Chocolate Brownies
Dark chocolate shares caramel, molasses, and bitter notes with both rum and cola. A warm, fudgy brownie alongside a cold rum and coke is a surprisingly adult dessert pairing that highlights the complexity in what seems like a simple drink.
Prep in advance for effortless serving
Pre-Measure the Rum
Pour rum portions into a small jug or shot glasses in advance when serving a group. With the ratio of 1 part rum to 3 parts cola, pre-measuring makes assembly instant and keeps everyone's drinks consistent.
Chill the Cola
Always refrigerate cola for at least 4 hours before serving. Cold cola poured over cold rum and ice retains its bubbles far better than a room-temperature can. Open only when pouring to preserve maximum carbonation.
Pre-Cut Lime Wedges
For a Cuba Libre, cut lime wedges ahead of time and store in a small airtight container in the fridge. Fresh limes can be cut hours in advance without any noticeable degradation in juice quality.
Freeze Highball Glasses
Place highball glasses in the freezer an hour before serving. The cold glass keeps the cola bubbly and the ice from melting too quickly, delivering a colder, more refreshing drink right to the last sip.
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