Rum and Coke

Lore & Background

The drink was created in Cuba in the early 1900s, but its exact origins are uncertain. It became popular shortly after 1900, when bottled Coca-Cola was first imported into Cuba from the United States. Its origin is associated with the heavy U.S. presence in Cuba following the Spanish–American War of 1898; the drink's traditional name, 'Cuba libre' (Free Cuba), was the slogan of the Cuban independence movement. A drink called a 'Cuba libre' was known in 1898, but that was a mix of water and brown sugar.

Fausto Rodriguez, a Bacardi advertising executive, claimed to have been present when the drink was first poured in August 1900, when he was a 14-year-old messenger in Havana. According to Rodriguez, his employer ordered Bacardi rum mixed with Coca-Cola, and nearby American soldiers ordered rounds, giving birth to the drink. Bacardi published Rodriguez's affidavit in a Life magazine ad in 1966, but his status as a Bacardi executive has led some commentators to doubt the story. Another story states the drink was first created in 1902 at Havana's El Floridita restaurant to celebrate the anniversary of Cuban independence.

The drink spread from Cuba to the United States, becoming especially popular in the Southern U.S. during Prohibition, when Coca-Cola was used to disguise the taste of low-quality rums. During World War II, American servicemen in the Caribbean took to inexpensive rum, while Coca-Cola was shipped to the islands with the military, boosting the drink's popularity. The 1945 Andrews Sisters hit 'Rum and Coca-Cola' further cemented its fame.

Reader's Guide

Rum and Coke's significance lies in its role as a symbol of changing global dynamics. Charles A. Coulombe described it as 'a potent symbol of a changing world order – the marriage of rum, lubricant of the old colonial empires, and Coca-Cola, icon of modern American global capitalism.' Both ingredients are derived from Caribbean products and became global commodities through European and American commerce. The drink's simple recipe—rum, cola, and optional lime juice—made it easy to prepare and difficult to ruin, contributing to its widespread popularity. Despite often being considered mediocre by drink critics, its historical importance is noted. The cocktail's name, Cuba libre, directly references the Cuban independence movement, and its creation coincided with the U.S. presence in Cuba after the Spanish–American War. The drink's legacy includes its role in Prohibition-era mixology, its boost during World War II, and its enduring association with both Bacardi and Coca-Cola. The U.S. embargo against Cuba after 1960 made traditional ingredients unavailable in each other's countries, but the drink remains globally popular with various rums and colas.

Did You Know?

• The drink's traditional name 'Cuba libre' was the slogan of the Cuban independence movement.
• Fausto Rodriguez, a Bacardi executive, claimed to have witnessed the drink's creation in August 1900, but his story is disputed.
• During Prohibition, Coca-Cola was used to disguise the taste of low-quality rums.
• The 1945 Andrews Sisters hit 'Rum and Coca-Cola' was a plagiarized version of a calypso song by Lord Invader.