Song of the Week: Rum and Coca-Cola
The Andrews Sisters
Rum and Coca-Cola
A left-over bottle of coke, the sole remains of a recent dinner party, is currently languishing in our fridge. Since the other half only drinks Irn Bru and beer it is up to me to save it from undrunk misery. Unfortunately I don’t like coke much either – unless it is mixed with ice-cream or rum that is.
I suspect that my taste for that rum and coke cocktail classic, the Cuba Libre, stems from my equal fondness for this Andrew Sisters tribute. Close listening to the song though reveals that ‘Rum and Coca-cola’, far from a being a happy ditty about GIs enjoying a drink or two, is actually about women prostituting themselves ‘for the Yankee dollar’.
Be that as it may, it’s still a top tune – perfect for swallowing down a Cuba Libre and getting you into the summery holiday mood. Speaking of which, I’m off on holiday this weekend (yes, again) so see you in a week or so.
Cuba Libre
1 and 3/4 white rum
juice of one fresh lime
coca-cola
Pour the juice, then the rum into a highball glass and finish with coke. Bung on a wedge of lime if you can be bothered.
‘Rum and Coca-Cola’, The Andrews Sisters, 1944
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Tags: cocktails, song of the week
June 19th, 2009 at 11:09 am
It’s a fine drink and jolly tune. I like dark rum myself the carmelised flavours bleeding with similar notes in the coke better to my tongue also it’s brown drink anyway have also added mint to mix recently.
June 19th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
I haven’t been able to touch rum (apart from Appleton’s Gold, oddly) since I drank twelve rum and pineapples on my 21st birthday. Could a Cuba Libre cure my aversion? Maybe I’ll try and let you know.
Have a thoroughly jolly break.
June 19th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
I’ve been on a rum buzz recently Cockspur’s a fave, I tried Pusser’s Navy but a bit strong ..Mate of mine and fellow blogger (Bleech) and his other half a few months (Chocolate Girl) came round for some Cuba Libres a couple of weekends back he brought a delish drop of rum – I’ll find out the name..
Love that squawky trumpet on the tune.
PS where you popping of to this time?
June 19th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
I’m not a HUGE fan of rum so have never really ventured much into the world of dark rums, but you’re selling it BLTP what with the caramelised flavours and all.
ISBW, it will only cure your aversion if you like coke I think. The Cuba Libre isn’t special enough to overcome strong 21st birthday feelings. You’d need a Pina Colada for that.
Or maybe not.
Would appreciate any rum tips PM. haha! We’re not going anywhere as exciting as Cornwall this time. We’re off to Kefalonia in Greece. And I would like to take this opportunity to stress that I have never read or seen, and do not ever intend to read or see, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin which everyone tells me was set on that same island.
June 19th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
don’t mind a bang on the ‘ol Rum n Raisin ice cream, or even the chocolate… but not crazy about rum (am i banned now??!)
Mind you, not sure i fanct a go on these rum n raisin balls! BLimey!
http://www.ideasinfood.com/ideas_in_food/2008/08/alex-and-i-had-a-long-weekend-off-to-get-married-we-were-working-on-the-vineyard-at-the-time-and-our-wedding-in-early-june.html
P
June 19th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
Have you got a secret gastro-porn side going on Piley? There is no other explanation for that site and that recipe! They look nice, but… letting the rum ‘bloom’ and freeze in liquid nitrogen?! Yep, think I’ll whip that one up later. A Cuba libre is just so much easier…
June 20th, 2009 at 12:25 am
I hope I catch you before you go Cocktails – Kefalonia is gorgeous I spent a couple of weeks there between Argostoli and Lassi – whatever you hear don’t bother with Myrtos it’s a nutty drive and the tides are fatal – go to Petani it’s Greece’s best kept secret ..
Sami’s great but a mad drive, and if you get the chance do the Onassis Island cruise..incredible..
It’s the most floral of all the islands and you must hire a car and drive about – the scenery changes every 10 miles and it is truly stunning off the touist trail..
June 20th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Not leaving till tomorrow, PM, so this is perfect! We’re staying in Skala, at the other end of the island to where you were. We have no plans other than to try and get to Ithaca so your tips are very welcome.
I was beginning to wonder whether we’d chosen the right place actually. An acquaintance down the pub last night said that Kefalonia was ‘a bit of a dump’. Not that the word of someone who also claims to be ‘bored with Europe’ can be trusted – have you ever heard such a thing?
June 22nd, 2009 at 3:53 am
Great tune and drink. Hope you had a cool weekend. Cheers!