Daiquiri cocktail
A Daiquiri cocktail is a refreshing, zesty drink made from rum, a citrus (lime usually) and sugar.
There is a whole family of variations of the Daiquiri recipe as it has remained a popular cocktail for over 100 years.
It has origins in the 18th century as The British Royal Navy gave rations for a drink called grog, which was similar to the ingredients of a Daiquiri cocktail – as the Vitamin C helped prevent the sailors from contracting scurvy!
It is said that Hemingway drank his daiquiris by the double earning the nickname "Papa Doble" with a record of 16 doubles in one sitting. Don't try that please!
- Total Time:
- Type: Cocktail
- Units: 2
Equipment
- Cocktail glass
Ingredients
- 50 ml rum
- 25 ml lime juice
- 12.5 ml sugar syrup
- ice cubes
- 1 slice of lime
Instructions
- Add the rum, lime juice, sugar syrup, and the ice cubes to a cocktail shaker.
- With the lid on, shake well until the shaker is cold to the touch.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a slice of lime.
FAQ
What’s in a Daiquiri?
The classic Daiquiri is a simple but perfect blend of white rum, fresh lime juice, and sugar syrup, shaken and served straight up.
How strong is it?
A standard serve (50ml rum at 40% ABV, plus lime and syrup) comes to about 2 alcohol units, similar to a Whiskey Sour and lighter than spirit-heavy options like the Martini.
How does it compare to other rum cocktails?
The Daiquiri is clean and sharp compared to the creamy Piña Colada or the spiced Dark ’n’ Stormy. Fruity variations like the Strawberry Daiquiri give it a more tropical, playful feel.
What glass is it served in?
A chilled coupe glass or sometimes a small martini glass, served “up” with no ice.
When was it created?
The Daiquiri was invented in Cuba in the early 1900s, named after a beach near Santiago. It became a favourite of Ernest Hemingway and is one of the most iconic Caribbean cocktails.
Are frozen Daiquiris the same as classic ones?
No – the frozen version (blended with ice and often fruit) became popular later, especially in the U.S. The original Cuban Daiquiri is always shaken and strained, not blended.