Ron Santiago Carta Blanca & Coke Recipe

Prepare glass and sugar

Place a highball glass on the counter. Add the granulated sugar to the bottom of the glass. Squeeze the lime wedge into the glass to release the juice over the sugar, then drop the wedge in. Use a bar spoon or muddler to gently muddle the sugar and lime together until the sugar is partially dissolved and fragrant (about 10–15 seconds). This dissolves the sugar and brightens the drink.

Add ice and rum

Fill the glass with cubed ice to the top (about 1 cup). Pour 2 oz Ron Santiago de Cuba Carta Blanca rum over the ice.

Top with Coke

Slowly top the glass with 4 oz Coca-Cola Zero, pouring gently over the back of a spoon or down the side of the glass if you want to preserve some effervescence and control mixing. Stir once gently with a bar spoon to integrate the rum, lime-sugar base, and cola (3–4 gentle turns).

Garnish and serve

Taste and adjust: if you prefer a slightly sweeter drink, stir a little more to incorporate remaining sugar, or add a tiny pinch more sugar and stir until dissolved. Garnish with a fresh lime wedge on the rim. Serve with a straw if desired.