Thirsty Thursday Eve - Cuba Libre (March)
Want to order an old favorite, but sound fancy doing it? Get a Cuba Libre! It's just a rum and cola with lime, but it sounds cultured. Plus, it's fun to say: Cuba Libre.
As the Lima One Capital annual company party was approaching, I was discussing it in the office with the data engineering team. You know, before I got laid off? I really felt like if there were no hard feelings, they should've let us still attend the party to go out with a bang. Alas, I digress. At that point, I still had every intention of attending the celebration.
One of the data engineers said she planned on getting a Cuba Libre. I was intrigued, a Cuba Libre? I hadn't heard of that. "Oh, it's just rum and Coke with lime." How droll. I love a rum and cola, and I frequently throw lime in it because lime is amazing. Turns out, I had been drinking Cuba Libre for years and didn't even know it.
Beyond being simple and delicious, it's also cheap. When you don't have a job, you've gotta be careful about how much money you spend (one of these days I'll shut up about it, but not today). I still had a ton of limes left from Costco where I made the Ranch Water, so those were basically free. I always have Kirkland Signature Spiced Rum on hand, and fortunately, I had the remainder of an open bottle PLUS an unopened handle. The only thing left was Coke (Zero Sugar) and we keep a case of those anyway.
Obviously, there isn't a lot of technique required to mix 3 ingredients together, but I do want to point out some helpful tips. For the lime, it's definitely better to use fresh squeezed. Also, before you cut the lime, roll it under the base of your palm a couple times to get more of the juice out - Food Network taught me that one.
When you're mixing the drink, I like to start with ice in a glass. Squeeze the limes directly over the ice, and toss them in for garnish. Pour the rum in next - I like to use 3 oz for a strong pour or 2 oz for a more standard drink. Finally, top it off with a can of cola. You don't want to shake a fizzy drink, so pouring it in last helps mix everything up without losing the carbonation.
I haven't yet ordered a Cuba Libre in a bar, but I feel like I'm gonna catch a side eye for trying to be pretentious (which I am absolutely doing). At worst, I'll keep making them at home like I already was. But now, I know the name for it. Cuba Libre!
As the Lima One Capital annual company party was approaching, I was discussing it in the office with the data engineering team. You know, before I got laid off? I really felt like if there were no hard feelings, they should've let us still attend the party to go out with a bang. Alas, I digress. At that point, I still had every intention of attending the celebration.
One of the data engineers said she planned on getting a Cuba Libre. I was intrigued, a Cuba Libre? I hadn't heard of that. "Oh, it's just rum and Coke with lime." How droll. I love a rum and cola, and I frequently throw lime in it because lime is amazing. Turns out, I had been drinking Cuba Libre for years and didn't even know it.
Beyond being simple and delicious, it's also cheap. When you don't have a job, you've gotta be careful about how much money you spend (one of these days I'll shut up about it, but not today). I still had a ton of limes left from Costco where I made the Ranch Water, so those were basically free. I always have Kirkland Signature Spiced Rum on hand, and fortunately, I had the remainder of an open bottle PLUS an unopened handle. The only thing left was Coke (Zero Sugar) and we keep a case of those anyway.
Obviously, there isn't a lot of technique required to mix 3 ingredients together, but I do want to point out some helpful tips. For the lime, it's definitely better to use fresh squeezed. Also, before you cut the lime, roll it under the base of your palm a couple times to get more of the juice out - Food Network taught me that one.
When you're mixing the drink, I like to start with ice in a glass. Squeeze the limes directly over the ice, and toss them in for garnish. Pour the rum in next - I like to use 3 oz for a strong pour or 2 oz for a more standard drink. Finally, top it off with a can of cola. You don't want to shake a fizzy drink, so pouring it in last helps mix everything up without losing the carbonation.
I haven't yet ordered a Cuba Libre in a bar, but I feel like I'm gonna catch a side eye for trying to be pretentious (which I am absolutely doing). At worst, I'll keep making them at home like I already was. But now, I know the name for it. Cuba Libre!
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