The Classic Daiquiri

A Simple Sip, a Storied Past

When it comes to cocktails, few are as iconic—and as deceptively simple—as the Daiquiri. Just three ingredients: rum, lime juice, and sugar. Yet this humble trio packs a history as refreshing as the drink itself.

The Recipe:

Ingredients:

2 oz white rum
3/4 oz fresh lime juice
1/2 oz simple syrup

Instructions:

Shake all ingredients with ice.
Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
Garnish with a lime wheel, if you’re feeling fancy.

Pro Tip: Always use fresh lime juice. It’s the secret to turning a good Daiquiri into a great one.

The History Behind the Daiquiri

The Daiquiri owes its origins to none other than the fine island of Cuba in the early 1900s. While it sounds like a cocktail conjured up by bartenders at a fancy hotel, it was actually created by an American mining engineer named Jennings Cox. The story goes that Cox was stationed in the small town of Daiquiri, Cuba, where he ran out of gin while entertaining guests. Left with little choice, he turned to the local rum, added lime juice and sugar, and voilà—the Daiquiri was born.

Now, this drink didn’t become a global sensation until it found its way to the United States. It was popularized during the Prohibition era when Americans fled to Cuba to indulge in the pleasures they were missing back home, including unrestricted rum.

But the Daiquiri’s most famous fan? Ernest Hemingway. Old Papa Hemingway practically immortalized the drink when he frequented El Floridita bar in Havana. Hemingway’s version of the drink—now called the Papa Doble—was a supercharged, rum-heavy take with no sugar. He’d order up to a dozen in a single sitting, because, well, Hemingway.

Hem removed the sugar, added grapefruit juice, and introduced Maraschino liqueur for a more complex and less sweet profile, which suited his preference for a punchier sip.

So, while the original Daiquiri is simple and doesn’t include Luxardo Maraschino, Hemingway’s version (which is quite popular) does, adding a distinctive cherry and almond note to the drink.

If you’re looking to stay classic, stick to rum, lime, and sugar. But if you’re after a bit more complexity, adding Luxardo gives it that literary edge!

The Daiquiri is far more than just a basic rum cocktail. It’s chock full of Cuban history, wartime innovation, and literary legends.