Cuba Libre (Rum and Coke)

In light of today's declaration by Fidel Castro that he would not be seeking re-election as president when the National Assembly meets this Sunday, I find myself contemplating Cuba's future. But what future? That is the million dollar question. I do not believe that Cuba will become a true democratic society anytime soon. In fact, I find it hard to believe that it will ever be a completely democratic country. The history of dictatorship, first by Prio Socarras, then Batista and finally Castro, is so prevalent that I can't conceive of a Cuban nation that can fully grasp the concept of true elections. Perhaps I am wrong. I hope I am wrong. Nothing would be more satisfying than a free and democratic Cuba.

But the politics should be left for another day. For the time being, let's imagine a free Cuba...like the drink...Cuba Libre.

I did a little research on the history of this famous drink and according to Wikipedia, Bacardi claims ownership. I also found out that some Cuban exiles call this drink Mentirita (little lie) because Cuba is not free. I had never heard it called that. Anyway, here is the story according to Bacardi:

"The world's most popular drink was born in a collision between the United States and Spain. It happened during the Spanish-American War at the turn of the century when Teddy Roosevelt, the Rough Riders, and Americans in large numbers arrived in Cuba. One afternoon, a group of off-duty soldiers from the U.S. Signal Corps were gathered in a bar in Old Havana. Fausto Rodriguez, a young messenger, later recalled that a captain came in and ordered Bacardi (Gold) rum and Coca-Cola on ice with a wedge of lime. The captain drank the concoction with such pleasure that it sparked the interest of the soldiers around him. They had the bartender prepare a round of the captain's drink for them. The Bacardi rum and Coke was an instant hit. As it does to this day, the drink united the crowd in a spirit of fun and good fellowship. When they ordered another round, one soldier suggested that they toast ¡Por Cuba Libre! in celebration of the newly freed Cuba. The captain raised his glass and sang out the battle cry that had inspired Cuba's victorious soldiers in the War of Independence."

Okay, sounds good to me.

Ingredients:
2 shots white Rum (BACARDI PLEASE!)
Coca-cola
ice
Squeeze a lime wedge on top

(recipe courtesy of www.drinkalizer.com)