To have the Hemingway Daiquiri is to have a little taste of literary history.
“Write drunk. Edit sober.”
Truer words have never been spoken (at least when it comes to writing). The quote is attributed to author Ernest Hemingway, though he apparently never actually said this. Still, it’s such a good line, it’s fun to think he did. While writing “tipsy” is sometimes fun to do, as someone who pontificates regularly on alcoholic beverages, I wouldn’t suggest making a habit of it. But if you’ve never done it, try it once, at least. You’ll either have a great time or realize you’re no Hemingway. Or both.
And if you do try crafting some literary greatness while buzzed (safely and responsibly at home), how about having some of Papa Hemingway’s own libation, the Hemingway Daiquiri? Easy to make and with a tarter flavor profile than the original, this tipple might just be the muse you need. You can punch the keys as you pour out your soul and assume the role of a globetrotting storyteller.
The man himself used to frequent the El Floridita Bar in Havana, Cuba, wiling the hours away with his favorite cocktail, the daiquiri. He loved the rum and lime but didn’t like them sweet. So he, along with bartender Constantino Ribailagua, crafted a version of the drink that synced up perfectly with the writer’s palate.
Using maraschino liqueur in place of the sugar and adding grapefruit juice gave the resulting cocktail a dry, bright and tart taste, with a satisfying bitter bite. The Hemingway Daiquiri was born. The author loved them so much he drank up to 12 a day, ordering two at a time (allegedly). This earned it the nickname “Papa Doble”.
But since we have work to do, let’s stick to one right now and see how the words flow.
What is the Best Rum to Use in the Hemingway Daiquiri?
White (a.k.a. silver) rums are the best spirit you can use when making any version of the daiquiri. They meld well with the other ingredients, elevating them without overpowering them. A spiced rum might be too complex to taste in this type of cocktail. You don’t want to grimace every time you take a drink, so something like a good silver rum will give you a smooth sip.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces white rum
- 1/2 ounce maraschino liqueur
- 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
- lime wheel (for garnish)
Instructions
- Combine the white rum, maraschino liqueur, lime juice, and grapefruit juice in a shaker filled with ice.
- Shake vigorously until the shaker feels very cold to the touch.
- Strain the chilled cocktail into a coupe glass.
- Garnish with a lime wheel and serve immediately.
Nutrition
FAQs & Tips
Chill a long-stemmed coupe in your freezer for 15 minutes before making your drink. After you pour, garnish with a lime wheel.
You can if you need to. Simply combine the ingredients together and store in your fridge for up to a couple of days. Shake individual servings over ice and pour.
180 calories are swimming around each serving, so if you keep fishing for them and have too many, you might feel like an anchor.
If you find the Hemingway Daiquiri to be a bit too tart, by all means add some simple syrup or sugar to taste. That will bump up the calories, though.
Variations of The Hemingway Daiquiri
Papa Hemingway loved his daiquiris, and for good reason. They’re delicious, savory yet sweet, and refreshing on the hottest of days. Twist & Toast has some of the tastiest recipes for the summer, so if you’re not sure where to begin, check some of these mouth-watering thirst quenchers out below.
- Classic Daiquiri – Enjoy the elegant original at your next pool party.
- Frozen Daiquiri – One of the most popular versions of the rum-based cocktail; once you make one, you’ll see why.
- Strawberry Daiquiri – Indulge in strawberry heaven with this beautiful and tasty treat.
- Lava Flow – Creamy, smooth, and strong, this rum-heavy libation is an eruption of tropical flavors.
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