The Cuba Libre, a simple yet iconic cocktail of rum, cola, and lime, emerged in Havana, Cuba, around 1900, shortly after the Spanish-American War. It's believed to have been created when a U.S. Army captain combined Coca-Cola, Bacardi rum, and lime, toasting "¡Por Cuba Libre!" (For a Free Cuba), a popular slogan of the Cuban independence movement. This act of celebration and the resulting drink quickly gained popularity, becoming a symbol of Cuba's newfound freedom and a beloved cocktail worldwide.