Bacardí Rum, the world’s best-selling premium rum, celebrates the 110th anniversary of the creation of the Original Cuba Libre. With its refreshing combination of Bacardí Rum and the American classic Coca-Cola and rich historical ties to Cuba, the legendary drink has withstood the test of time and continues to be enjoyed by millions of consumers internationally.

The origins of the Cuba Libre trace back to Cuba’s War for Independence in 1898, when Colonel Theodore Roosevelt and his regiment, known as the Rough Riders, along with large droves of Americans arrived in Cuba. American troops introduced Coca-Cola to Cuba, and it soon became a popular choice for Cubans and Americans alike.

In August 1900, while celebrating victory at the American Bar in Havana, Cuba, Captain Russell of the United States Army Signal Corps, ordered a rum and Coke, served with a wedge of fresh lime. This new combination sparked interest from the soldiers around him and soon the entire bar was drinking one. The Captain proposed a toast, “¡Por Cuba libre!” in celebration of a free Cuba. The words Cuba Libre – meaning Free Cuba – had a special political significance, and were frequently used by Cubans and Americans alike. It seemed quite natural that the American soldiers selected and applied this popular slogan to this drink, which they considered indigenous to Cuba, consisting of Bacardí Rum and Coca-Cola™. The name caught on quickly, and has remained popular to this day.  “More than 80 billion Cuba Libre cocktails have been served since 1900, and close to 6,000,000 are consumed every day around the world,” said Eugenio Mendez, Global Category Director of Bacardí.

Don Facundo Bacardí revolutionized the world of spirits when he created Bacardí Rum, which became the original rum used to create legendary cocktails like the Mojito, the Daiquirí, and the Piña Colada. For nearly 150 years, through eight generations of Don Facundo’s descendants, Bacardi has focused on quality, taste and excellence.

Original Cuba Libre

2 parts Bacardí Rum

4 parts Coca-Cola

2 lime wedges

Ice cubes

Fill a highball glass with cubed ice. Squeeze and drop a fresh lime wedge into the glass. Pour in rum and top with chilled Coca-Cola, ideally bottled. Stir gently.

Original Mojito

2 parts Rum

½ fresh lime

12 mint leaves

2 heaped tsp. fine white sugar

Splash club soda

Cut the lime in wedges and place in a large highball glass. Add the sugar and muddle to release the lime juice. Add the mint leaves and muddle lightly again to release and combine the flavors. Top up with crushed ice. Pour Rum. Swizzle well with a bar spoon to dissolve the sugar. Top up with more crushed ice. Add soda water. Stir well again to combine all the ingredients and garnish with a fresh mint sprig.

Bacardí Hand-Shaken Daiquirí

2 parts rum

1 part fresh lime juice

2 heaped tsp. fine white sugar

Put all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and stir until the sugar dissolves. Fill shaker with ½ cubed ice and ½ crushed ice and shake vigorously until chilled. Double strain into a chilled or frozen glass.

Bacardí Piña Colada

2 parts rum

1 ½ parts fresh coconut water blended with some of the flesh

1 part pineapple juice

3-4 chunks fresh pineapple

3 tsp. fine white sugar

Combine all ingredients in a blender with ½ cup of crushed ice. Blend until smooth. Can be shaken and strained if a blender is unavailable or a less “smoothie-like” texture is preferred.

For additional recipes, please visit www.bacardi.com

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