The Cocktail Scientist
Cuba Libre
INTRODUCTION
If a cocktail could act as a diplomat, the Cuba Libre (also known as Rum & Cola with lime) would be that for the relationship between Cuba and the United States, and both countries would likely be better neighbors today. The Cuba Libre is a popular rum cocktail that is made with light rum, Coca-Cola, and lime juice. More than just a sweet drink that was conceived partially to hide the presence of alcohol, an authentic Cuba Libre relies on two popular exports: light rum from Cuba and Coca-Cola from the United States. Together, these two ingredients form a delectable cocktail that has been enjoyed by many over the past century.
MATERIALS & METHODS
- Light rum - 2 oz (60 mL)
- Coca-Cola - 4 oz (120 mL)
- Juice of ½ lime – 0.5 oz (15 mL)
Squeeze the juice of a ½ lime into a Collins glass filled with ice.Pour 2 oz of light rum into the glass.Fill with 4 oz of Coca-Cola and stir well.Garnish with a lime wedge.
DISCUSSION
Historical Origin
It is quite ironic that the literal translation of the Cuba Libre cocktail means “Free Cuba,” for the United States and Cuba have had an export trade embargo against one another dating back to February 7, 1962. However, the origin of the cocktail we know today does not begin with a trade dispute, but rather much earlier around the time of the Spanish American War of 1898. In fact, the term “Cuba Libre” had been used decades earlier in Cuba as a battle cry during the Ten-Year War from 1868-1878 (1). There is also evidence that there was an earlier drink called the Cuba Libre which was supposedly made with aguardiente (a generic spirit known at the time) and either honey or molasses and water (2).While some also believe that the Cuba Libre cocktail may have been created in 1902 to celebrate the country’s independence from the United States governance after the Spanish American War, there is a signed notarized affidavit that went into effect in 1965 reporting the contrary to all earlier claims of origin. The affidavit signed by Fausto Rodriguez, who was a Bacardi executive in 1965, asserts that he was present when the drink was first invented, and it happened in August of 1900, when he was a fourteen-year-old messenger working for a member of the U.S. Army Signal Corps in Havana. The story goes that he witnessed Captain Russell pour the drink which was a mixture of Bacardi rum, Coca-Cola, and juice of a lime. He then witnessed Captain Russell propose a toast and yell out, “Por Cuba Libre.” Thus, according to this document, the Cuba Libre was born (3).
Flavor Profile
Rum
The use of a light rum (a low congener rum) in the creation of the Cuba Libre cocktail was preferred early on as the cocktail gained popularity because it was the perfect camouflage when used with the flavor of Coca-Cola. This was extremely popular during Prohibition which banned the manufacture, storage, transportation, sale, possession, and consumption of alcoholic beverages from 1920 to 1933. A low congener rum is absent of heavy esters. The use of light rum allows the soda and the lime juice to present their aromatic flavors in a Cuba Libre. Today, there are many variations of the Cuba Libre. Some of these variations call for dark rums, some of which use high-congener rums, and provide unique flavor profiles.
Coca-Cola
When Dr. John Stith Pemberton created Coca-Cola back in 1886, he created the world’s number one selling carbonated soft drink. Initially created as a cure for many diseases, including morphine addiction, indigestion, nerve disorders, headaches, and impotence, it was not long before the world fell in love with the beverage. The flavor profile of Coca-Cola is rich, intense, and complex. Coca-Cola’s sweetness derives from high fructose corn syrup, and the beverage is carbonated with hints of vanilla, cinnamon, citrus oils and other flavorings. Ingredients which are thought to be present in the flavorful formulation include sugar, caramel coloring, caffeine, and phosphoric acid. The sugar present in the traditional Coca-Cola formula is in the form of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), or sucrose. One of today’s most popular variations of Coca-Cola includes Mexican Coke, which uses cane sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup.
Lime Juice
Lime juice is a powerful flavorful additive that accents cocktails. While lime juice does have a bitter and acidic taste, it remains the key indicator of sourness in the cocktail. However, the tart flavor of lime juice in the Cuba Libre is tamed by the inherent sweetening properties of Coca-Cola resulting in a fair flavor balance.
NUTRITION
The Cuba Libre is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages in the world and has been enjoyed for well over a century by rum cocktail aficionados. However, in recent years, with the rise in global obesity and more scientific research being conducted on carbonated drinks, a lot more information is available today on the health and nutritional benefits of cocktails, and the results may be surprising to some. As mentioned previously, with the presence of Coca-Cola in the Cuba Libre, the cocktail does possess HFCS, a sweet derivative of corn starch. To date, there remains no evidence that HFCS is detrimental to one’s health according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (4). The evidence remains insufficient to say that HFCS is any less healthy than other types of sweeteners. At the end of the day, it is the increased consumption of sugars, including HFCS that has been linked to the growing obesity epidemic. Evidence has shown that more and more people are consuming more energy calories than they are exerting. As sugar is a carbohydrate, it is important to exert energy to burn the sugars that are consumed. If one continually consumes more sugar than needed and does not exercise to burn off the additional intake, his/her cells can become insulin resistant which may lead to diabetes due to weight gain. While there remains a lack of evidence that HFCS is any less healthy than other sweeteners, a recent study did find that drinking carbonated drinks may make you hungrier. Research studies have found that carbon dioxide in carbonated beverages can induce ghrelin release in the body (5). Ghrelin has been dubbed the “hunger hormone” because it stimulates appetite, increases food intake and promotes fat storage. With the Cuba Libre containing Coca-Cola, a carbonated soft drink, the carbon dioxide in carbonated beverages could potentially induce ghrelin release according to this study.
NUTRITION FACTS
(Amount Per 1 Fl oz in a 6.5 Fl oz Cocktail)
- Calories: 27.69
- Total Fat: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Potassium: 3.42 mg
- Sodium: 2.43 mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 2.25 g
- Dietary Fiber: 0.02 g
- Sugar: 2.00 g
CONCLUSION
The story of the Cuba Libre is a true dichotomy with the fusion of two industrial icons, Cuban rum and Coca-Cola, being manufactured by two nations that are at odds with one another. However, all is not lost. Millions of people continue to enjoy authentic Cuba Libre cocktails every year outside of Cuba and the United States.
REFERENCES
- Brown, J. and Miller, A. (2009). Cuba. The Legend of Rum. Havana Club Collection. Mixellany Books.
- Clarke, P. (2006). History Lesson: The Cuba Libre Cocktail. Retrieved from: http://imbibemagazine.com/history-lesson-cuba-libre-cocktail/
- Sabataso, J. (2015). Happy Hour History: The Cuba Libre. Retrieved from: https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/03/happy-hour-history-the-cuba-libre.html
- Villines, Z. (2019). What foods contain high fructose corn syrup? Medical News Today. Retrieved from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325315.php
- Ewis, DS., Abed, F., Stiban, J. (2017). Carbon dioxide in carbonated beverages induces ghrelin release and increased food consumption in male rats: Implications on the onset of obesity. Obes Res Clin Pract. 2017 Sep - Oct;11(5):534-543
