PREP TIME 5 min
If the first thing you crave when thinking of a Lime Daiquiri is an overly sweet adult slushy, you’re knocking on the wrong door. This is not the typical fruity Daiquiri that you’ve come to love. This is the real deal, original drink that started it all.
So, if you’re looking for a refreshing and zesty summer cocktail that’s great for sipping under a parasol, keep reading.
Pour the rum, lime juice, and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice
Shake until properly chilled – about 30 seconds should do the trick
Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with a twist of lime
The original Daiquiri was invented in 1898 in the mining town of Daiquiri in Cuba. Almost a decade later, this classic recipe travelled from Cuba to America, and it was an instant hit. The Lime Daquiri is said to have been a firm favourite of President John F Kennedy and famed writer Ernst Hemingway. In fact, he loved it so much that he had one named after him.
The Classic Daiquiri uses only three simple ingredients, and the recipe is a delicate balancing between the sweet and the sour. It’s a fresh and straightforward lime cocktail similar to a Classic Margarita in that you’ll be using fresh lime juice and sugar syrup, but instead of tequila, you’ll be using light rum. And there’s none of the expected Daiquiri slush. Instead, this one gets chilled and strained into a coupe glass, making it more sophisticated. It’s a drink for a refined palate and perfect for a warm summer evening.
You’ll never look back once you know how to make a Lime Daiquiri the right way. But there are some rules to keep in mind to make these like a Havana nights pro: choose good quality light rum. We’re talking about a premium brand that won’t overpower the drink, like Wray and Nephew White Overproof Rum. Choose this for a rum for its fruity natural aroma and overtone of molasses. It blends beautifully with the tartness of the lime. The second rule is to stick to fresh lime juice. The bottled stuff just won’t do this Classic Daiquiri any favours. Lastly, make a sugar syrup using demerara sugar for its hints of molasses and caramel. We can’t say this enough: If you’re making a cocktail using very few ingredients, make sure those ingredients are the best you can get your hands on.
So, now that you’ve got all the right ingredients, let’s talk you through how to make this quintessential rum cocktail.
As we mentioned before, this cocktail requires a delicate balancing act. You should expect some trial and error to find the perfect serve. If you add too much rum, it will overpower the drink. Too much sugar, and you’ll be stuck with a sickly-sweet concoction. Too much lime and your tastebuds will drown in a pool of acid. Follow the recipe above and adjust it to your own taste.
Another good tip to keep in your pocket is to juice the lime by hand. You want the oils of the lime rind to really mingle with the rest of the ingredients to create that zesty mouthfeel that you won’t get from the store-bought bottled version.
Once you’ve nailed the perfect Daiquiri, you’ll never look back.
The Lime Daiquiri leaves a lot of room to play around. Here are a few fab variations.
