This Cherry Cuba Libre is a real show stopper, perfect for a summer BBQ or a festive holiday party. It isn’t usually made with cherry liqueur—the classic is just rum, cola, and lime—but we’ve added a splash to amplify the fruity notes of the cherry cola. To make it even more refreshing, you can muddle a few fresh cherries in the bottom of the glass before building the drink. Not traditional, maybe, but very delicious.
Jump to RecipeCherry Cuba Libre Recipe Ingredients
- 1 to 2 ounces dark rum (depending on how strong you like it)
- Juice of 1/2 lime (freshly squeezed)
- A splash of cherry liqueur (such as Luxardo or Cherry Heering)
- Ice cubes
- Cherry cola, to top up
- Garnish: Lime wedge and a maraschino cherry
How To Make Cherry Cuba Libre Recipe
- Build the base: In a tall highball glass, pour in the dark rum, the freshly squeezed lime juice, and the splash of cherry liqueur. Give it a quick swirl to mix the spirits with the citrus.
- Ice it up: Fill the glass all the way to the top with ice cubes.
- Top and fizz: Slowly pour the cherry cola over the ice until the glass is full. The carbonation mixes the drink naturally, but you can give it a gentle stir with a spoon or straw if needed.
- Garnish: Hook a lime wedge on the rim and drop in a maraschino cherry. Serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
- The Lime Roll: Before cutting your lime, roll it firmly on the counter under your palm. This breaks the internal membranes and releases maximum juice so you get the most out of that half-lime.
- Ice Density: Fill the glass completely with ice, not just halfway. More ice keeps the drink colder for longer and actually melts slower, preventing your cocktail from getting watery.
- Rum Choice: Use dark rum or an aged gold rum rather than white rum. The caramel and molasses notes in dark rum stand up much better to the sweet, heavy flavor of the cherry cola.
- Cherry Upgrade: If you want to make this sophisticated, swap the neon red maraschino cherries for Luxardo cherries. The syrup is richer, darker, and less artificial tasting.
What To Serve With Cherry Cuba Libre Recipe
This Cherry Cuba Libre Recipe is sweet, fizzy, and potent, making it a great match for salty, savory snacks. A bowl of Salted Plantain Chips or roasted peanuts is the traditional Cuban pairing. For something more substantial, it pairs wonderfully with BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders or sticky ribs, as the cherry cola mirrors the sweetness in barbecue sauce. If serving as a dessert cocktail, a slice of Dark Chocolate Cake brings out the cherry liqueur flavors beautifully.
How To Store Cherry Cuba Libre Recipe
- Prep Ahead: You can squeeze the lime juice in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
- Do Not Store: Do not mix the cola with the spirits until you are ready to drink. The carbonation will go flat within minutes, leaving you with a syrupy, lifeless drink.
Cherry Cuba Libre Recipe Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Protein: 0g
Nutrition information is estimated per cocktail.
FAQs
Yes, spiced rum works very well here. The vanilla and cinnamon notes in spiced rum complement the cola flavor perfectly.
It adds a depth of flavor that cherry cola alone lacks. If you don’t have it, you can use a splash of the syrup from the maraschino cherry jar instead.
Absolutely. It creates a “Skinny” version of the drink without sacrificing much flavor, though the artificial sweetener taste might be slightly more noticeable against the lime.
Cherry Cuba Libre Recipe
Course: DrinksCuisine: Cuban-InspiredDifficulty: Easy1
servings5
minutes5
minutes220
kcalA fruity twist on the classic Rum and Coke. Dark rum meets tart lime and sweet cherry cola for a highball that tastes like adult soda pop.
Ingredients
2 oz dark rum
1/2 lime (juiced)
Splash cherry liqueur
Cherry cola
Ice, lime wedge, cherry
Directions
- Pour rum, lime juice, and liqueur into a glass.
- Fill the glass to the top with ice.
- Top with cherry cola.
- Garnish with lime and cherry.
Notes
- Fresh lime juice cuts through the sugar of the cola.
- Use plenty of ice to keep it crisp, not watery.
- Dark rum adds a necessary caramel richness.
