Cuba Libre VS Rum&Coke

I discovered something recently and I feel really silly. I used to think that the Cuba Libre cocktail was just a Rum and Coke with a fancier name. They even have the same Wikipedia entry. Well, not quite. There is a difference: the Cuba Libre has to have lime in it, from what I understand either a slice or a bit of its juice. So a Rum and Coke is not a full on Cuba Libre, in fact it is the Coba Libre's poorer brother. I feel like such a Philistine. I seldom order cocktails, last time I ordered a Rum and Coke was in 2018. Probably because there was no beer I liked at the pub. So anyway, next time I will make sure I order the right thing and say a Cuba Libre.

Cuba Libre!

Yesterday, we went into a pub that was more like a club/bar, so it had little to know interesting beers, only lagers. After quickly drinking half a pint of some tasteless Spanish beer, it struck me that I might as well have a proper cocktail, something that would be suitable for a hot summer day. So I went for a Cuba Libre. I know it as a Rum and Coke, but I prefer its more exotic and evocative name. I cannot remember the last time I had one, if I ever did have one. It was not even listed among the choice of cocktails in the bar menu, so the barman gave me a price on the spot (five pounds, the others were all between seven and eight). I only asked for one shot of rum, but I think he poured a bit more. What to think of this Rum and Coke? It tasted like a diluted, boozed up Coca Cola. The taste is all right, nothing outstanding, but it is very refreshing. this one was anyway. I might add it to my list of summer drinks.

Havana Cigars

No, no I don't smoke, not cigars, nothing of the sort, although I do like the smell of cigars. And my father being an amateur of cigars, although he does not smoke them much if at all anymore, I have learned a thing or two about them. I know that Cuban cigars are allegedly the best and that Cohiba is a cigar brand. So anyway, I saw this cigar case at the bar of the very fancy hotel where my parents and my brother PJ stayed the last two days of their time here. And apparently, the case is not merely for decoration: they offer an array of cigars on their menu. I wonder if my dad had some during his stay. Anyway, as I liked the old fashioned elegance of the case I took the picture and decided to share it here.

Cuban rambling

A friend of mine texted me yesterday saying she was back from a holiday in Cuba. I replied back: "So how was your holiday in this communist paradise?" Not that I was jealous or anything, Cuba never really appealed to me, but I thought it was a funny line. Enough to be a great unknown line? I don't know for sure, but I have seen worse, so I decided it qualifies. So yes, she went to Cuba, where it is sunny, hot and communist.

I sent that text because I always found ironic that Cuba, one of the last few communist regimes in the world, at least in theory, has such an important touristic industry. And tourism that has the most capitalist, consumerist features. And sometimes its gloomiest, cynical aspects. But hey, if you want sea and sun (or the more cynical sort of tourist attractions) and are not American, you go to Cuba. I can't help it, I find it funny.