Free booze in Cuba

Good timing in Details' March issue with their Cuba Libre feature, with Fidel Castro handing over power and all. Author Rob Willey says the difference between Cuba Libre and a rum and Coke is that a Cuba Libre uses good rum, Mexican Coke (with sugar instead of HFCS), and the lime is muddled in the glass rather than just used as garnish.

Then he cites places to get them- at Eben Freeman's Tailor in NYC, at Vessel from that Boudreau guy, and at Jardiniere in San Francisco from Thad Vogler. (I don't think Thad works there anymore, so not-so-good timing on that one.)

I frequently see this drink called the Cuba Libra online and in some books including Gary Regan's Joy of Mixology. I've always assumed that "Cuba Libra" was an incorrect translation rather than an adaptation, as it seems to use the same ingredients. Or it is a regional thing? Anyone know?

Labels: rum