August 16, 2013 – National Rum Day
Today, of all days, we must try to set the record straight.
There is a current television commercial for a particular
brand of rum that tells of how the Cuba Libre was first invented. The
commercial purports an American solider brought Coke to the island of Cuba. A
beautiful Cuban girl pours Bacardi into the bottle. Thrusting the bottle back
into the hand of the soldier, she proclaims “Cuba Libre!”
This gives the impression, to anyone familiar with the
island’s history, that the drink was created during the Spanish-American war.
It’s a nice story, but, um, there are a few problems with it.
The island didn’t see a Coke until 1900. Roosevelt’s troops
left in 1898.
Meh.
No one knows for certain how the drink came to be, but the
one thing (for me) is the lime. A rum and coke, is a rum and coke, is a rum and
coke. But, the difference is the lime.
The proper recipe -
Cuba Libre
1 part rum
2 parts soda
The juice from 1 wedge of a Key Lime
The Key Lime is non-negotiable. If you use a Persian lime,
it is not a Cuba Libre. Persian Limes have a tart flavor, where key limes are
almost sweet. It is a perfect compliment to a wonderful drink. It’s what makes
the rum and coke a Cuba Libre.
So, raise a toast to a Free Cuba!
