
The Gin Cuba Libre
The Cuba Libre cocktail has one big difference from the plain Rum and Coke – it’s the lime. And there’s nothing to say that you can’t add some juniper spirit goodness – which is exactly what the Gin Cuba Libre does.
The beauty of this drink is that you still get to enjoy the best part of the Cuba Libre – the RUM. Rum is sugary, woody, and delicious, and adding gin makes it punchier.

And the caffeine of the cola makes it a good choice if you can’t decide between nap and party.
The Gin Cuba Libre
Ingredients
- 2 Oz. Rum I like a white rum here, cleaner flavors.
- .5 Oz. Gin
- .5 Oz. Lime juice
- 2 Dashes Aromatic bitters
- Cola To finish
Instructions
- You can build this drink in your Collins glass.
- Add ice to your glass.
- Layer your rum, gin, lime juice, and bitters.
- Top off with cola.
- Stir in the glass.
- Garnish with a lime wedge if you like.

Why gin with rum and cola and lime?
There’s a part of me that can’t take too much syrupy sweetness – and when it comes to a non-gin cola drink, it’s too much. If you have a dark or golden rum, you might find that the molasses flavor is too much.

Using a light rum and gin takes part of the sticky sweetness out, and just packs an alcoholic punch. Which you may, or man not, dig.
If you are a true gin lover, try this with all sorts of rums to see what you like. If you also dig some cola in your cocktails, you may want to try the simple Cubata cocktail.
