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The Classic Daiquiri

Avery Wiseman

One sip of this classic cocktail and you'll taste the perfect balance of sweet and sour, with a crisp finish that leaves you wanting more. And with its simple yet elegant recipe, the daiquiri is a timeless drink that's sure to impress even the most discerning cocktail connoisseur.

History of the Daiquiri

The daiquiri is a classic cocktail that is said to have originated in Cuba in the late 19th century. The drink was named after the village of Daiquiri, located near the city of Santiago in southeastern Cuba.

The exact origin of the daiquiri is uncertain, but it is believed to have been created by American engineers and miners who were working in the area. The story goes that one day in 1898, a group of these workers visited the Venus bar in Daiquiri and asked the bartender, named Jennings Cox, to mix up a refreshing drink. Cox combined rum, lime juice, and sugar, creating what would later become the classic daiquiri recipe.

The drink gained popularity in Cuba and eventually spread to the United States and other parts of the world. During Prohibition in the US, the daiquiri became a popular drink among Americans traveling to Cuba to enjoy legal alcohol. The daiquiri was also a favorite of author Ernest Hemingway, who is said to have enjoyed the drink at the famous El Floridita bar in Havana.

Over the years, the daiquiri has evolved, with variations featuring different types of fruit, such as strawberry or banana. However, the classic daiquiri recipe remains a simple yet delicious combination of white rum, lime juice, and sugar, shaken with ice and strained into a chilled glass.

How To Make a Classic Daiquiri

Here’s a classic daiquiri recipe that makes one drink:

Ingredients:

2 oz. white rum
1 oz. fresh lime juice
1/2 oz. simple syrup
Ice

Instructions:

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
Add the white rum, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
Shake the mixture vigorously for about 10-15 seconds until the outside of the shaker becomes frosted.
Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish with a lime wheel or wedge, if desired.
Enjoy your delicious homemade daiquiri!

Note: To make simple syrup, combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan and heat until the sugar dissolves, then let it cool before using. You can also add other flavors such as strawberries or mint to make flavored daiquiris. Simply muddle the additional ingredient in the shaker before adding the other ingredients.

Recommended Barware:

Popular Variations

Here are 10 popular variations of the classic daiquiri recipe:

Hemingway Daiquiri – Also known as the Papa Doble, this version includes grapefruit juice and maraschino liqueur in addition to the classic daiquiri ingredients.
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Strawberry Daiquiri – This version adds fresh or frozen strawberries to the classic daiquiri recipe for a fruity and refreshing twist.
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Banana Daiquiri – Blended with fresh banana, this variation has a smooth and creamy texture and a sweet, tropical flavor.
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Pineapple Daiquiri – Made with fresh pineapple juice, this version has a sweet and tangy flavor that perfectly complements the rum and lime.
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Coconut Daiquiri – This version swaps out the simple syrup for coconut cream and adds toasted coconut on top for a tropical taste and texture.
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Frozen Daiquiri – Blended with ice, this version has a slushy, refreshing texture that’s perfect for hot summer days.
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Spiced Daiquiri – Add a little warmth and depth to the classic daiquiri recipe by using spiced rum and adding cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves.
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Blueberry Daiquiri – Made with fresh blueberries, this version has a sweet and slightly tart flavor that pairs perfectly with the rum and lime.
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Peach Daiquiri – Blend fresh or frozen peaches with the classic daiquiri ingredients for a sweet and fruity variation.
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Raspberry Daiquiri – Add fresh or frozen raspberries to the classic daiquiri recipe for a tart and refreshing twist.

Top-Rated Rums

Dark Rums

Foursquare 2005 ($119-$499) – This rum from Barbados is a favorite among rum connoisseurs, with a score of 96 out of 100 from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge.
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Plantation XO 20th Anniversary ($61) – A blend of rums from Barbados that has won numerous awards, including a Double Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
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Ron Zacapa Centenario 23 ($65) – A rum from Guatemala that has a rich, complex flavor and has won numerous awards, including a Double Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
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Appleton Estate 21 ($129-$250) – A Jamaican rum with a complex flavor profile and a smooth finish. It has won several awards, including a Double Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
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El Dorado 21 ($127) – A rum from Guyana that has won multiple awards, including a Double Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. It has a rich, smooth flavor with notes of toffee and dark chocolate.
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Havana Club Seleccion de Maestros ($74-$269) – A premium Cuban rum that has won several awards, including a Double Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
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Mount Gay XO ($69) – A premium rum from Barbados that has won several awards for its rich, complex flavor.
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Ron del Barrilito 3 Stars ($46) – A Puerto Rican rum that has won numerous awards, including a Double Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
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Ron Abuelo Centuria ($154) – A Panamanian rum that has a rich, complex flavor and has won multiple awards, including a Double Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
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Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva ($42) – A Venezuelan rum that has a smooth, rich flavor with notes of vanilla and caramel. It has won several awards, including a Double Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Light Rums

Plantation 3 Stars White Rum ($20) – A blend of three different Caribbean rums, this white rum is smooth and well-balanced with flavors of coconut, vanilla, and banana.
Bacardi Superior White Rum ($15) – One of the most well-known white rums, Bacardi Superior has a light, dry flavor with notes of citrus and vanilla.
Don Q Cristal White Rum ($14) – Made in Puerto Rico, Don Q Cristal is a smooth and versatile white rum with a slightly sweet taste and hints of coconut and vanilla.
Flor de Caña 4 Extra Seco White Rum ($18) – Aged for four years, Flor de Caña 4 Extra Seco is a dry and crisp white rum with flavors of fruit, oak, and a touch of vanilla.
El Dorado 3 Year White Rum ($19) – Aged for three years in oak barrels, this Guyanese rum has a light and fruity taste with notes of honey and caramel.
Havana Club Blanco White Rum ($23) – A Cuban classic, Havana Club Blanco is a light and refreshing white rum with a clean taste and subtle hints of fruit and spice.
Mount Gay Eclipse White Rum ($23) – This Barbadian rum is a blend of pot and column still rums, resulting in a smooth and balanced flavor with notes of banana, vanilla, and a hint of smoke.
Cruzan Aged Light Rum ($13) – Aged for two years, Cruzan Aged Light Rum has a smooth and mellow flavor with notes of vanilla, caramel, and tropical fruit.
Appleton Estate White Rum ($25) – Made in Jamaica, Appleton Estate White Rum has a crisp and clean taste with flavors of citrus and tropical fruit.
Ron del Barrilito Silver White Rum ($44) – A Puerto Rican rum, Ron del Barrilito Silver is a smooth and balanced white rum with a slightly sweet taste and notes of vanilla and coconut.