Recipes

July 19th is National Daiquiri Day

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…..If you’re looking for another excuse to drink (and there are plenty!), this Thursdau, July 19th is National Daiquiri day. Now what many of you are picturing right now is a slushy, sugary, red drink that comes in a pretty little glass and is usually served at your favorite comfort food chain (Fridays, Chilis, Apple bees) but believe it or not, that isn’t a real daiquiri. I won’t knock you if that’s the version you prefer, but the original daiquiri was very simple and featured only 3 ingredients. The original daiquiri, which was commonly associated with famous author Ernest Hemingway, and President John F. Kennedy was invented by an American mining engineer, named Jennings Cox, who happened to be in Cuba at the time of the Spanish-American War. Originally the drink was served in a tall glass packed with cracked ice. A teaspoon of sugar was poured over the ice and the juice of one or two limes was squeezed over the sugar. Two or three ounces of rum completed the drink.  Now that’s a daiquiri.

Besides the slushy concoctions you might get at your local bowling alley dive bar, you may run into several different variations on the classic recipes. That’s because The 1935 edition of the La Florida Cocktail Book lists 5 different versions, which were simply referred to as Daiquiri #’s 1,2,3 and 4.  #3 and #4 would go on to earn nicknames that many to this day bicker of the actual ingredients for. In addition the book mentions the Hemingway special which essentially is the #3 but frozen. So I guess there is SOME truth behind those sugar slushes so many enjoy. Here are those recipes, give them a try and see which one YOU prefer. You could even make your own variations and create an unofficial #6. Cheers.

Daiquiri (Also known as Daiquiri #1)

  • 3 oz Premium White Rum
  • 1 oz fresh squeezed lime juice
  • 1 oz simple syrup
Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Daiquiri #2 (Never given a nickname)
  • 2 oz Gold Rum
  • .75 oz Lime Juice
  • 3 Dashes Curacao
  • 1 tsp Orange Juice
  • 1 tsp Sugar

Shake with cracked ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Hemingway Daiquiri (Also known as Daiquiri #3)

  • 2 oz White Rum
  • .75 oz Lime Juice
  • 1 tsp Maraschino
  • 1 tsp Grapefruit Juice
  • 1 tsp Sugar

Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.  Serve frappe

 Floridita Daiquiri (Also Known as Daquiri #4)

  • 2 oz White Rum
  • .75 oz Lime Juice
  • 1 tsp Maraschino
  • 1 tsp Sugar

Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.  Serve frappe

 Hemingway Special (Or a Blended Daiquiri #3)
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • Juice of 1/2 grapefruit (approx 1 oz)
  • Simple syrup made of 2 tsp sugar dissolved in 2 tsp water
  • 3/4 oz. maraschino liqueur
  • 2 oz. light rum
  • 1 cup of Ice
  • lime, grapefruit or cherry to garnish

Combine ingredients in a blender.  Blend until ice is totally smooth.  Garnish with a wedge of lime, grapefruit. 

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Alex is a full time consultant with 10+ years experience in the wine & spirits + consumer packaged goods industries. He is not a professional bartender, but is BarSmarts certified and makes a mean caipirinha. When not writing, Alex can be found traveling, spending time with his family, or bar hopping.

2 Comments

  1. So the original Daiquiri didn’t have any alcohol in it?

    “The original daiquiri, which was commonly associated with famous author Ernest Hemingway, and President John F. Kennedy was invented by an American mining engineer, named Jennings Cox, who happened to be in Cuba at the time of the Spanish-American War. Originally the drink was served in a tall glass packed with cracked ice. A teaspoon of sugar was poured over the ice and the juice of one or two limes was squeezed over the sugar. Now that’s a daiquiri.”

    No mention of Alcohol. So the original was basically sweetened lime juice over ice?

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