• Submitted by: lena campos
• Business and Economy
• 08 / 30 / 2013

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Created in 1900 with BACARDÍ rum, more than six million are enjoyed every day

The legendary Cuba Libre, more commonly called a "BACARDÍ and Coke®," turns 113 years old this month. Since its creation in Havana, Cuba, in 1900, it has become one of the most ordered cocktails in the world with seventy BACARDÍ Cuba Libre drinks enjoyed every second, every day around the world.

The drink that created a cocktail revolution was borne of revolution itself. 1898 marked the end of Cuba's War for Independence. It was this war, known as the Spanish-American War, which brought many Americans to Cuba, including future United States President Theodore Roosevelt, then a Colonel in his regiment popularly known as the Rough Riders.

These Americans brought Coca-Cola® with them to Cuba, and it soon became a popular beverage among Cubans and Americans alike. While celebrating Cuba's victory at The American Bar in Havana, a U.S. Army Signal Corps decided to combine his Cuban BACARDÍ Rum with Coca-Cola® and a squeeze of a fresh lime, sparking interest among others in the bar.

Soon the entire bar was drinking this enticing new combination and the captain proposed a toast of "¡Por Cuba libre!" (For a Free Cuba) - a phrase used frequently as the battle cry of both Cuban revolutionaries and Americans soldiers. The name caught on, and stuck.

"We are hugely proud that even after 113 years the Cuba Libre, a simple but distinctive mix of BACARDÍ rum, cola and fresh lime juice, is the world's favorite cocktail," said Dmitry Ivanov, Senior Global Category Director of Rums. "The history of the Cuba Libre makes it more than just a cocktail. Anyone ordering a "BACARDÍ and Coke," should be aware of its rich heritage as a toast to freedom."

"The Cuba Libre is not only deliciously refreshing, it is also simple to make, which explains its huge popularity around the world," said David Cordoba, BACARDÍ Global Brand Ambassador. "To be a true Cuba Libre however it simply has to be BACARDÍ - the quality of the rum is undeniable, and the historical origins of the drink give it a story that few cocktails can compete with."

Original Cuba Libre

1 part BACARDÍ Gold rum

3 parts Coca-Cola® (bottled)

2 lime wedges

Ice cubes

Fill a highball glass with cubed ice. Squeeze juice of a fresh lime wedge into the glass. Drop the squeezed lime wedge rind into the glass. Pour in BACARDÍ Gold rum and top with chilled Coca-Cola®, ideally bottled. Stir gently. Garnish with a lime wedge.

After over 150 years, Bacardi continues to make history with its great-tasting cocktails. To learn more about its pioneering heritage, revolutionary spirit, and classic cocktail recipes, visit bacardi.com. 

About BACARDÍ Rum - The World's Most Awarded Rum

In 1862, in the city of Santiago de Cuba, founder Don Facundo Bacardí Massó revolutionized the spirits industry when he created a light-bodied rum with a particularly smooth taste - BACARDÍ. The unique taste of BACARDÍ rum inspired cocktail pioneers to invent some of the world's most famous recipes including the BACARDÍ Mojito, the BACARDÍ Daiquiri, the BACARDÍ Cuba Libre, the BACARDÍ Piña Colada and the BACARDÍ Presidente. BACARDÍ rum has won more than 550 awards for quality, taste and innovation.

Today, BACARDÍ Rum is made in Puerto Rico and Mexico where it is crafted to ensure the taste remains the same today as it did when it was first blended in 1862.

http://www.bacardi.com

Source: Sacbee.com