The Internet Travel Guide "Getting to Know Cuba"

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Beer
Surprisingly the Cubans' favorite drink is beer. Several brands are produced in Cuba, the most popular of which is Cristall, that comes in a green can and is served ice-cold. We cannot recommend other brands that might also be available.

Cristal, a Cuban beer

Rum
The Bacardi family started their business in Cuba where they had great success. After the revolution, they fled to Puerto Rico to start their new business all over again.
All the same, Cuba retained its top position with regard to the production of rum. Other brands, such as "Havana Club" are also of high quality.

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The Gran Reserva, which ages for 15 years in oak barrels, is a high-quality type of rum. With a price of about $80 per bottle, it is also by far the most expensive. The dark rum, which is seven years old, is served straight or on the rocks ($10). The 3-year old white dry rum is used in particular as the basis for many cocktails ($7.50). Besides the famous "Havana Club" there are many other brands of rum such as Cagney, Veterano, Caribbean Club and Matusalem. The last is considered by many Cubans to be the best rum.
 
 

Cocktails
Cuba Libre: rum and tropicola (Cuban Coke substitute) with ice.
Preparation: pour 4 cl of white rum into a glass, add ice and lemon juice, fill it up with coke, serve it with a straw and half a slice of lemon.

Mojito (Hemingway's favorite drink): rum, lime juice, soda, mint leaves, ice.
Preparation: cut the lime in 8 pieces, put them into a glass, crush them with the mint leaves and one teaspoon of cane sugar, add 5 cl of white rum and crushed ice and fill it up with mineral water.

Daiquiri: 3 cl rum, 2 cl lime juice, sugar, a dash of bitters, crushed ice.
Preparation: put all the ingredients in the shaker and strain the drink into a glass.


 
Wine:
Wine is only served in tourist restaurants and at a very high price, as it is imported from overseas. In Cuba, wine is barely cultivated, the local wines are sour and as the Cuban like to point out: "Our wine may be sour, but it is our wine!"

Coffee
Coffee is very important in Cuba and one can often find little late night coffee shops. The Café Cubano is only served with a great deal of sugar, the Café Americano is not too strong and is served with milk, and the Café con Leche is mostly milk with a bit of coffee.