Bacardi cuba libre history book

I was unaware of the rich family history of the bacardi family and heir cuban struggles. Far from churning out low quality spirits as the locals had been used to, bacardi set about refining rum for more sophisticated palates. Gjelten is to be commended for his exhaustive research. The phrase por cuba libre translates to free cuba, and was the battle cry of the cuba liberation army during their war of independence from spain that ended in 1898, according to the havana club.

Trying to get a real handle on the history of the cuba libre is like trying to figure out who the first person to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich was. The indispensables may not save the world, but itll surely rescue your cocktail hour. I started reading elmore leonard books starting in around1988 and would read every new book that came out. They toasted to a free cuba, introducing the original cuba libre.

You wont find any bacardi products in cuba, and this book explains why. A refreshing history of the folks who brought the world the cuba libre, and who agitate for a cuba libre even today. History of the cuba libre cocktail make me a cocktail. There are really two parts to tom gjeltens bacardi and the long fight for cuba 2008. Tom gjeltens new book, bacardi and the long fight for cuba, threads the history of. According to anthony dias blue, author of the complete book of spirits 2004, cuba libre once contained a dose of gin, but this is no longer the case today. Bacardi, the puerto rican rum that will be forever cuban. Each installment features one signature recipe, assembled from intel by the best bartenders. In 1910, bacardi became cubas first multinational company, opening a facility in barcelona, spain and, soon after, another in new york city. The bacardi rum company was founded by a catalan merchant in 1862, when cuba was still a spanish colony. Bacardi shares rare look into archive to showcase 150year rise of iconic rum brand from beginnings in cuba to worlds favorite rum hamilton, bermuda, june 12, 2012 as part of its 150th anniversary celebration, bacardi limited shares an extraordinary glimpse into the unique heritage safeguarded in the bacardi archive of more than 150 years.

The bacardi rum dynasty is now headquartered in puerto rico, but its origins are. I skipped cuba libre because i was not as interested in his westerns. In this widely hailed book, npr correspondent tom gjelten fuses the story of the bacardi family and their famous rum business with cubas tumultuous experience over the last 150 years to produce a deeply entertaining historical narrative. The book, which is written with the grace and fluidity of a novel, shines a light onto the characters and events that changed cuba forever.

Bacardi rum and the history of the cuba libre electrogent. The history of a family and its cubanborn, puerto ricobased, now worldwide liquor giant. The new bacardi true originals video, also available at. It uses white rum, usually havana club or bacardi gold, cocacola, squeezed lime and ice cubes. The cuba libre cocktail, known more commonly as a rum and coke with a slice of lime, has a colorful history that dates to the early 1900s. I purchased the book for friends who have visited cuba. Just as bacardi history helps explain modern cuba, the companys cuba connection helps us trace the evolution of a unique family firm. Very complete history of the bacardi empire as it intertwines with the history of cuba. Guide to cuban rum history of rum in cuba and the best. Cuban rum history the fact that the cuba libre cocktail continues to gain popularity after 111 years speaks to the exceptional quality and great taste bacardi adds to this iconic drink, said eugenio mendez, senior global category director rums.

There are multiple versions of how it became associated. Facundo began attempting to tame rum by isolating a proprietary strain of yeast still used in bacardi production. However, the drink may be made with various types of rums and cola brands. The cuba libre cocktail distiller the distiller blog. In the decades that followed his heirs were deeply involved in the struggle for. For much of its history bacardi was also the worlds largest producer of rum. Since i dont expect any new books anymore, i started reading the westerns. The natives were mixing all kinds of colabased concoctions at the time. The business people i was meeting on my trip expressed concerns about the current events in cuba and i wanted to update my knowledge of cubas history but wanted something that i could also enjoy. Facundo bacardi masso, a spanish wine merchant, was born in sitges, barcelona, spain, in 1814, and emigrated to cuba in 1830. Twitter facebook whatsapp email these links will open in a new window. The business people i was meeting on my trip expressed concerns about the current events in cuba and i wanted to update my knowledge of cuba s history but wanted something that i could also enjoy.

Originally known for its bacardi white rum, it now has a portfolio of more than 200 liquor and spirits labels. Enjoy them whilst relaxing at the lounge bar or on our sun trap terrace. During the american intervention, the words cuba libre meaning. Tom gjelten weaves the story of the bacardi family through cubas history in a captivating manner. If youre a fan of cocktails, cuban culture and cuban history this book covers it. In their book cuban cocktails, historians anistasia miller and jared. The largest familyowned spirits company in the world. The second is a narrative of how bacardi became global and also obsessed with fighting fidel castro. Bacardi is perhaps the most iconic rum in the americas and is credited with creating such classic cocktails as the cuba libre rum and cocacola and the daiquiri favored by ernest hemingway. Born in the afterglow of revolution, the cuba libre cocktail came about during a golden time in cubaunited states relations. Thus, the first cuba libre consisted of bacardi rum and cocacola. The traditional rum used in a cuba libre is bacardi, but this isnt a steadfast requirement.

During this period, rum was cheaply made and not considered a refined drink, and rarely sold in upmarket taverns. The indispensables is s series devoted to the classic cocktails drinkers of every skill need in their arsenal. Today, the recipe is precisely codified as are most cocktails. If you think a rum and coke is a cuba libre, weve got some news for you a little history. Cuba libre che, fidel, and the improbable revolution. Bacardi biography details the fight for cuba tom gjeltens new book, bacardi and the long fight for cuba, threads the history of the familyowned bacardi rum. The company even trademarked the bacardi cuba libre and the bacardi daiquiri to ensure that they could not be legally made without using bacardi. Rum maker emilio bacardis life turned into a graphic. Bacardi limited entered the twentyfirst century as a genuine multinational, headquartered in bermuda, with a product line that included whisky, gin, vermouth, vodka and tequila, as well as rum. A bacardi advertising executive claims he was in havana in 1900 when the drink was first mixed with bacardi rum and cocacola.

One of the first cuban cocktails to use bacardi was the daiquiri, a drink made of local lime juice, sugar, shaved ice and the famous rum, concocted by an american. Cuba libre is set in the transition between those two periods 1898, just before the u. A city and its newspaper under siege, 1995, cuban of a particular kind, nationalistic and proud. History of the cuba libre rum and coke drink havana journal. I would say this book is definitive, just not always easily readable. If you think a rum and coke is a cuba libre, weve got some news for you. Casa bacardi sitges will remain closed until further notice. Tom gjelten explains how the cuba libre got its name. Tom gjelten weaves the story of the bacardi family through cuba s history in a captivating manner. Ellis says he believes major political movements in the story give it an apt context.

A refreshing history of the folks who brought the world the cuba libre, and who agitate for a cuba libre even today the bacardi rum dynasty is now headquartered in puerto rico, but its origins are cubanand, writes npr correspondent gjelten sarajevo daily. The bacardi rum dynasty is now headquartered in puerto rico, but. Rum, revolution, romance and modern globalization come together in a pistolpacking salsa dance of modern history in bacardi and the long fight for cuba. Cuba libre traditional cuban cocktail recipe 196 flavors. Bacardi superior rum has been there since the beginning, nearly as long as the cocktail itself. The first is a history of cuba from the 1860s to the 1960s, centered on bacardi and the city of santiago. Gjelten writes, though his name is mentioned in few cuban history books, emilio bacardi moreau was a rare. A terrific piece of storytelling reveals a fascinating bit of history. Though his name is mentioned in few cuban history books, emilio bacardi moreau was a rare example of enlightened and responsible civic. It is by turns fascinating, but often slows down because of so many names and details.

Rum maker emilio bacardis life turned into a graphic novel. Emilio bacardi, especially, comes to life as the books most powerful character, though one so strange that. History of the cuba libre rum and coke drink posted august 22, 2011 by publisher. Traditionally, the cola ingredient is cocacola coke, and the alcohol is a light rum such as bacardi. With a history dating back to the 1800s, this cocktail has a story to tell. Bacardi is the largest privately held, familyowned spirits company in the world. Ordering a generic rum and cola usually begets a poor imitation. The authors central point is that the history of cuba can be narrated around tales of rum. Bacardi biography details the fight for cuba tom gjeltens new book, bacardi and the long fight for cuba, threads the history of the familyowned bacardi rum co. There are all kinds of accounts and legends, but many of them dont add up. An extensive guide to the rich tasteand tumultuous historyof cuban rum.