Cheers to a classic cocktail turning 125 (and a fitting recipe)

But it doesn't look a day over 100

By Mark Stock Published August 20, 2025 9:54 AM

BACARDI Cuba Libre poster. — BACARDI

The Cuba Libre is a classic cocktail recipe if there ever was one. And the iconic drink is in an extra spirited mood as it just turned 125. Fortunately, the drink doesn’t look a day over 100.

The story goes that an American soldier first ordered the drink in Havana back in 1900. When others asked what it was, somebody proudly proclaimed that it was a Cuba Libre. A classic three-ingredient cocktail was born.

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The original recipe called for BACARDI rum and that continues to be a popular option for the drink today. We love the mix of the spirit, the cherry and molasses notes of cola, and the kick of lime. If there was every a drink to toast the last days of summer, this is it.

Read on for the full recipe, now 125 years old.

BACARDI Cuba Libre

BACARDI Cuba Libre. — BACARDI

This cocktail is so easy to make you probably already have the ingredients kicking around in your kitchen. Feel free to mess around with the cola choice but the classic recipes tend to stress Coke.

Ingredients:

2 ounces BACARDÍ Gold Rum
4 ounces cola
2 lime wedges
Lime wedge as garnish

Method:

Fill a highball glass with cubed ice, and squeeze in the lime wedges.
Pour in the BACARDÍ Gold Rum, followed by chilled cola.
Give it all a gentle stir and garnish with a lime wedge.

Here at The Manual, we’ve got you covered in the food and drink department. Check out our recent features on cereal infused cocktails and summer wine hacks. Here’s to a refreshing August.

Contributor

Mark Stock is a writer from Portland, Oregon. He fell into wine during the Recession and has been fixated on the stuff since…

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