Gentle muddle, build, churn, and top
Mojito
Fresh mint, lime, rum, and a tall sparkling finish.
Build over cubed ice, top with cola, and stir briefly
Cuba Libre
A simple highball where measured lime keeps the cola bright and the rum clearly present.
Edited by CocktailSteps Editorial Team
- Time
- 4 minutes
- Level
- Easy
- Glass
- Highball
- Approx. ABV
- 11% · Medium-low
- Tradition
- Cuban–American
- Profile
- Sweet · Sour · Citrus
Ingredient totals
Ingredients
Amounts below make one drink. The method, Quick Check, and guided Make use these one-glass amounts.
1.67 ozWhite rumRecommended brandBACARDÍ Carta Blanca
4 ozColaRecommended brandCoca-Cola Original Taste
0.33 ozFresh lime juiceRecommended brandSunkist Persian Lime
1 pieceLime wedgeOptionalRecommended brandSunkist Persian Lime
Measured method · one drink
How to make Cuba Libre
These steps make one glass. For more drinks, use the ingredient totals above to set up, then repeat this method for each serving.
- 01
Build the rum and lime
Cubed ice · 1⅔ oz rum · ⅓ oz lime
Fill a highball with cubed ice, then add 1⅔ oz white rum and ⅓ oz fresh lime juice.
Build the rum and lime visual check - 02
Top with cola
4 oz cola
Slowly pour in 4 oz cola, keeping the carbonation lively and the ice in place.
Top with cola visual check - 03
Stir briefly
Stir · 5 sec
Stir gently for 5 seconds to combine without flattening the cola.
Stir briefly visual check - 04
Add the lime
1 lime wedge
Set 1 fresh lime wedge on the highball rim, if using.
Add the lime visual check
Stir gently for 5 seconds to combine without flattening the cola.
AI-assisted illustration of one step. Follow the measured method above; sound is optional.Key move
Add the cola last and stir only enough to combine
Technique note
Why this build works
Measured lime juice separates this build from a plain rum and cola with a decorative wedge. The ⅓ ounce of lime cuts through cola's sweetness, while white rum keeps the result relatively light. Pouring cola into a glass already holding ice and the still ingredients limits extra mixing. Stop stirring when the base is distributed; vigorous movement costs carbonation without improving the recipe's balance.
Common failure points
- The drink tastes like cola with a hot alcoholic finish.
- Measure the lime juice into the glass instead of relying on the garnish, then gently lift the rum from the bottom through the cola.
- The glass is full before all the cola fits.
- Use a highball large enough for the measured liquids and cubed ice. Do not omit half the cola to fit a small glass, because that changes the strength and sweetness.
Measure or substitute
Lightly aged rum can replace white rum at 1⅔ ounces and adds barrel flavor. Diet cola keeps the volume but changes the sweetener and finish; taste it with the measured lime rather than assuming identical balance.
Recipe references
These references describe the drink or its ingredients. Our measured build and teaching notes are CocktailSteps adaptations; proportions and methods may differ from the reference.
Set the station
Tools
JiggerRecommended brandCocktail Kingdom Japanese Style Jigger
Bar spoonRecommended brandCocktail Kingdom Teardrop Barspoon
Highball glassRecommended brandRIEDEL Drink Specific Highball
Choose your bottle
Bottle buying guide
Best fit is our default. Spend less with Smart buy, or choose Upgrade when you want more character.
White rum
Know the pour
Medium-low
A long white-rum highball lengthened with cola, lime, and cubed ice.
Contains alcohol. Serve only to adults of legal drinking age and enjoy responsibly.
