Fruity, sweet and strong, the deep red Strawberry Daiquiri is destined to become a favorite at your next soirée.
I was made captain of this mighty vessel only two days before we set sail. The promotion came completely out of the blue, as my only naval experience was mopping up the poop deck on my previous voyages. Some say the ship I was given command of was cursed, others claim the route we were to take was so dangerous that no sailor in their right mind would dare brave its waters. But I needed the job, and “Danger” is my middle name. I’m still sore at my parents about that.
Our hold was filled to the brim with fresh strawberries, and our destination was a remote resort that prided itself on healthy smoothies. My crew was promised a free medium-sized beverage upon delivery, an offer we just couldn’t pass up. Except for Boatswain Smitty, who had a severe allergy. We had to be careful with our transport.
The ocean was angry for our first few hundred leagues, with waves towering over us and swells that crashed across the deck. When we first left port, the crew had wrapped a giant rubber casing over the hull to give our fruity cargo extra protection. Worried I wouldn’t be able to feel the sea, I had the rubber removed. But now with this almighty squall rocking us every which way but loose, I wished I had kept it on. I feared the worst.
My terror multiplied by the sudden appearance of our larger sister ship, a frigate of ominous size. It roared over an oncoming wave, heading with breakneck speed toward our starboard side. I threw my entire body into spinning the ship’s wheel, our craft lurching to port… and directly into the shoreline of an uncharted desert isle.
Both ships crashed and splintered into each other, and then into the small spit of land before them as well. Seamen went everywhere, jumping overboard to safety and swimming ashore. Our cargo, crates upon crates of the precious strawberries, began spilling onto the beach. The other ship’s booty began to roll onto the sandy shore as well… barrels of rum were soon chasing my crew, as if a Looney Tunes cartoon had come to life right before my very disbelieving eyes.
The chaos died down after an hour. Miraculously, no one from either ship had been injured or lost their lives… except for Boatswain Smitty, who accidentally landed headfirst in a bushel of strawberries. Another complained they didn’t get to test out their brand new Seamaster watch by falling into the briny drink. Apart from that, we were fine.
And while we awaited deliverance, which could take hours, our fear of boredom had been quelled by the combination of strawberries and rum. Until we were back safely on the mainland, ready to sail again, our thirsts were rescued by a literal avalanche of Strawberry Daiquiris.
Who Invented this Cocktail?
The classic shaken, three-ingredient Daiquiri was first discovered in 1898 Cuba, when American engineer Jennings Cox ran out of gin at a party and used the abundant local spirit rum in the drink he served instead. This concoction proved quite popular and found its way into the hands of writer Ernest Hemingway through his favorite bar in Havana, El Floridita. During the 1930s, that establishment’s renowned bartender Constantino “Constante” Ribalaigua Vert started adding crushed ice to the Daiquiris he made, and the world-famous frozen version was born.
What is the Best Rum to Use in a Strawberry Daiquiri?
When mixing up any fruit-based cocktail that uses rum as its base ingredient, I’ve discovered that a silver or white rum is the best way to go for a well-balanced drink. If you’d like a more complex and robust experience, with a little extra spice and bite added to each sip, try this drink using a spiced or dark rum. And for something stronger, you can use an overproof or navy-strength rum.
Ingredients
- 1 cup freshly hulled and halved strawberries
- 2 oz light rum
- 1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 oz simple syrup
- 1 cup ice cubes
Instructions
- Add the strawberries, rum, lime juice, simple syrup, and ice to your blender.
- Give the mixture a few quick pulses to begin chopping the strawberries and mixing everything together.
- Blend on high speed until the Strawberry Daiquiri is fully smooth, with the ice completely mixed in.
- Give it a taste and tweak the sweetness with more simple syrup or extra lime juice.
- Pour into a chilled glasses, and garnish with a strawberry or lime wheel if you’d like!
Nutrition
FAQs & Tips
Chill a cocktail glass or coupe in your freezer for around fifteen to thirty minutes before pouring your Daiquiri. Place a lime wedge and a strawberry on the rim for garnish.
You can upscale and blend the ingredients together—minus the ice—and store in your fridge in a covered container for up to a few days. When you’re ready to serve, add the ice and blend everything together again.
This sweet treat comes in at about 260 calories per glass. This drink is delicious, and you’ll want more than one, so be careful.
You can swap out the rum for any spirit you like, giving your Strawberry Daiquiri a new identity. If you use vodka, for example, you’ll have a Strawberry Vodka Gimlet.
Variations on the Daiquiri
If you love a tart and tangy Daiquiri, you’re in the right place. After having a few Strawberry Daiquiris this evening, you might be curious about what other variations on the classic cocktail are floating around out there. Twist & Toast has collected quite a few of these recipes to keep your whistle wet and taste buds satisfied. Try some of these out this weekend.
- Classic Daiquiri – Learn to make this simple and delicious tipple before exploring its many off-shoots.
- The Hemingway Daiquiri – The legendary author was quite the drinking man, and even had his version of his favorite drink.
- Peach Daiquiri – Sweet, fresh and frozen, this blended treat is sure to quench your thirst.
- Frozen Daiquiri – Arguably the most popular version of the iconic cocktail.
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