Black Flannel Academy

Cuba Libre

Lime ยท Long & refreshing ยท Rum ยท Sour
Cuba Libre cocktail photograph
Photo: 15-09-26-RalfR-WLC-0056.jpg โ€” Ralf Roletschek ยท CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized for display; photo remains under its stated license.

Cola sweetness and spice are sharpened by lime, while the rum remains an important aromatic base.

IBA published specification ยท 1 reference serve.

Glassware

Highball

Technique

Build

Ice

Fresh cubes

Garnish

lime wedge

Preparation effort

Low

Ingredients & measurements

Ingredient mL US fl oz Source measure / qualification
White Rum 50 1.69 50 ml White Rum
Cola 120 4.06 120 ml Cola
Fresh Lime Juice 10 0.34 10 ml Fresh Lime Juice

Converted equivalents are rounded for display; use one measurement system consistently. Dashes, spoonfuls, fruit counts and unspecified top-ups remain source measures. A blank equivalent does not mean zero.

How to make it

Combine the ingredients over fresh ice and stir gently.

Glass: Highball. Ice: Fresh cubes. Garnish: lime wedge.

Flavor & balance

  • Sour (Acidic) (dominant): Citrus contributes the principal tart edge; fruit ripeness and juice yield affect balance.
  • Sweet (supporting): Sweeteners, fruit or sweetened modifiers round the attack and add weight; product sugar varies.

Assess sweetness, bitterness and tactile drying separately. These flavor expectations are based on recipe structure, not measured tasting scores. Actual products, ice and dilution will change the result.

Preparation & batching

Service complexity: low. Batchability: spirit components only.

  • Measure and label the chosen product specification; chill appropriate glassware.
  • Prepare and measure fresh fruit components for the service plan; do not assume a fruit count guarantees a juice volume.

Add carbonated ingredients at service; do not shake or store the finished fizzy drink as a still batch. Workload is an editorial assessment; no labor timing or storage validation is claimed.

Spirit & ingredient choices

Style Role Evidence level Qualification
S091 โ€” Column Still Rum base qualified The recipe identifies rum but not this still configuration. Choose a bottle meeting the stated color/age/origin and confirm its production; this is an option, not a required subtype.
S094 โ€” Pot Still Rum base qualified The recipe identifies rum but not this still configuration. Choose a bottle meeting the stated color/age/origin and confirm its production; this is an option, not a required subtype.
S095 โ€” Pot-Column Blended Rum base qualified The recipe identifies rum but not this still configuration. Choose a bottle meeting the stated color/age/origin and confirm its production; this is an option, not a required subtype.
S065 โ€” 0 ABV Mixer mixer qualified Mixer role only; select a verified 0.0% product. The finished cocktail is not itself classified as this ingredient style.

Recipe notes & variations

For a Black Flannel variation, change one component at a time and record the selected product, proof, sweetener concentration and dilution. Compare it with this reference before naming or publishing the variation.

Sources & further reading

  • International Bartenders Association โ€” checked 2026-09-18. Recipe identity and published ingredient specification; editorial sensory and workload assessments are not source tasting results.

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