“Simple, classic, unforgettable… The Daiquiri.”
In 1898, Jennings Cox was an American engineer, working and managing several mines around the town of Daiquiri in Cuba. While there are many stories that revolve around the origins of this drink, one popular story is that Cox was entertaining guests on a particularly hot evening and ran out of gin. Not wanting to serve straight rum, he mixed it up with lime and sugar, creating a cocktail that people have been enjoying for over one hundred years.
Whenever I think of Daiquiris, my imagination immediately conjures up images of lazy days in the hammock or by the pool, with a tall and colorful slushie-like drink in my hand and bendy straws poking out of it. Yes, there are Daiquiris like that, but today we’re going to make what is considered the classic version.
Author Ernest Hemingway would often drink at the El Floridita bar on the outskirts of Havana, and came to love the Daiquiri, and by 1921 he would have his own version of the drink, which we’ll talk about later.
I love these cocktails and their “sweet, tart” flavor, reminding me of my favorite childhood candy. Here at Twist and Toast, we have other Daiquiri recipes for you to check out as well, like the Strawberry Daiquiri.
Freshly Squeezed?
You might want to go for the quick and convenient method of using store-bought lime juice instead of squeezing it yourself, but the best way to go is to grab some fresh ones from your local grocer or farmer’s market. Then, with either a citrus squeezer or your own hand power, juice and strain the limes for the freshest flavor possible. It’ll be worth it, trust me. And it’s easier than you think; just use half a lime every time you mix yourself one of these.
What is the Best Rum to Use in a Daiquiri?
You’ll want to use a white rum (or silver rum, same thing) for your classic Daiquiri. It has a light, tropical flavor that swims perfectly with the lime and sugar, and with a clean finish, it really brightens and equals out the sweet, tart flavor you want the drink to have. For historical purposes, you can’t go wrong with a bottle of Bacardi Superior, as legend tells that it was the first rum used in this cocktail.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces White rum
- 1 ounce Freshly squeezed lime juice
- 0.5 ounce Simple syrup
- Ice cubes
- Lime wheel for garnishing optional
Instructions
- Measure and pour the rum, lime juice and the simple syrup into your cocktail shaker.
- After adding a handful of ice to your shaker, secure the lid and give it a good shake for around 10 seconds.
- Using the cocktail strainer, pour the contents of your shaker into your pre-chilled cocktail glass.
- Add a lime wedge on the rim of the glass for a classic garnish and serve!
Nutrition
FAQs & Tips
A coupe glass is an ideal and classy way to enjoy a Daiquiri. Chill your glass for about fifteen minutes in the freezer before you make your drink, or keep it filled with ice and toss the cubes before you pour. A slice of lime will cap your cocktail off perfectly.
You can keep your Daiquiris in the fridge, either covered or in mason jars, where they can last up to a week.
A classic Daiquiri has around 176 calories, so when you make them for your family and friends, be mindful of how many you have.
Absolutely! Just take the ingredients and pour them into a blender with a cup of ice and pulse until it’s mixed up like a fine slush. Make sure you have a straw for this one.
No, but it’s easy to make this a Hemingway. Just take away the simple syrup and add ½ ounce of maraschino liqueur and ½ ounce of grapefruit juice instead. Shake it up, pour and enjoy.
Classic Daiquiri Variations
The Daiquiri is famous for its many different versions. I already mentioned the Hemingway Daiquiri earlier, so let’s look at a few more that might also make you thirsty:
- Strawberry Daiquiri: The classic strawberry variation.
- Banana Daiquiri: Substitute banana liqueur for the simple syrup, shake over ice and serve straight or on the rocks. If you want the frozen version, I’d suggest using real bananas in place of the liqueur, and an extra shot of rum. Blend that up with ice and enjoy it poolside.
- Bella Donna Daiquiri: Named after Stevie Nicks’ debut solo album, this version of the Daiquiri is made with black rum, amaretto, lemon juice and simple syrup. The next time you’re up late and listening to music, do it with one of these.
- The Black Heart Daiquiri: When you’re throwing a Halloween party, make sure you serve your guests some Black Heart Daiquiris… Take grape juice, anejo rum, white rum, simple syrup, lime juice, charcoal powder and mix all of that up in a shaker with muddled blackberries. Present these with little chips of dry ice in them for an extra spooky experience.
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