Now before you go and wonder why today's happy hour is a regular old rum and coke, let me explain... a cuba libre is not a regular old rum and coke, it's a classic cocktail that could even be considered sophisticated. The drink originated after the Spanish-American War in which the Americans fought to liberate Cuba from Spain's reign (which is kind of ironic bearing in mind the US-Cuban relations in the years to come). The soldiers who were aiding in the fight mixed Cuba's rum with America's coca-cola, topped it with a squirt of lime and saluted to the country's freedom. Cuba Libre in Spanish actually means free Cuba. So the next time you are thinking of ordering a rum and coke, order a cuba libre instead, it's what I always do. To take it to the next level, read more

Cuba Libre
From Drinkalizer

ice cubes
3 ounces rum
1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice
Chilled cola
Slice lime

Put ice cubes in a highball glass, add the rum and lime juice, fill with cola and garnish with a slice of lime.

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