Classic Daiquiri

You’ve likely had a frozen daiquiri before, but the classic daiquiri is best served on the rocks. It’s just as sweet, and it’s super easy to make.

You don’t even need a blender!

Classic Daiquiri cocktails are made using rum, simple syrup, and lime juice. It’s a very quick and easy blend, and it’s easy to modify.

Add fruit juice or puree to the mix and it becomes colorful and extra delicious.

Classic Daiquiri Cocktail

The classic Daiquiri isn’t anything like the thick and frosty drink you might be used to.

That drink uses lots of ice or frozen fruits to make an ice-cold slushy that’s lightly boozy and pretty sweet.

This version, though, is very light and clean. It calls for just rum, simple syrup, and lime juice.

Like a classic Margarita or Cosmopolitan, it’s best served cold and is quite strong.

Of course, you can always add fruit juice or puree to make this fruity and sweet. I like to mango puree, which you can buy in a can or jar.

Fruit purees will add a big punch of fruit flavor without a ton of sugar. But you can also add fruit juice if that’s all you have.

Just be sure to skip the simple syrup, or at least cut the amount in half.

Ingredients in a Classic Daiquiri

Here’s what you’ll need to make a classic daiquiri:

• White Rum - white rum is brighter and makes this much cleaner. That said, you can use dark rum, too.
• Simple Syrup - many cocktails need a touch of sweetness to balance the flavors, and simple syrup is the way to go. That’s because granulated sugar won’t dissolve in the cold mix.
• Lime Juice - like a good margarita, lime is the key ingredient, so be sure to use fresh juice.
• Fruit Puree - this is optional, but it’s terrific if you want something fruitier. Just be sure to add a little extra splash of rum.

How to Make a Classic Daiquiri

Ad I mentioned, this one is insanely simple. Just shake and sip!

1. Add the white rum, simple syrup, lime juice, and fruit juice (if using) to a cocktail shaker.
2. Fill the shaker with ice and seal shut.
3. Shake for 20-30 seconds.
4. Strain into the glasses and enjoy!

The Daiquiri - A Quick History

Like a lot of cocktail recipes, the origins of the Daiquiri are a bit fuzzy,

But it can be traced back to Cuba in the late 19th century. It’s believed that an American mining engineer named Jennings Cox, who was working in the iron mines of Daiquiri, Cuba, is responsible for its creation.

Legend has it that Cox mixed together the ingredients he had on hand, including white rum, lime juice, and sugar, to create a refreshing and invigorating cocktail. He’d run out of gin, so the story goes,

And thus, the Daiquiri (named for the local beach) was born.

The cocktail gained international acclaim when it was introduced to the United States in the early 20th century. Its simplicity and the perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors made it an instant hit.

Over the years, it’s evolved and inspired countless variations. But the classic recipe remains a timeless favorite.

Recipe Variations

If you’re a purist, you might want to skip this section. But if you like to have fun with your drinks, check out these tasty variations.

Strawberry Daiquiri

• 2 oz white rum
• 3/4 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup (1:1 sugar and water)
• 2-3 ripe strawberries, hulled and halved
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Muddle the strawberries in the bottom of a mixing glass.
2. Add the white rum, freshly squeezed lime juice, simple syrup, and ice.
3. Stir well until chilled.
4. Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice.
5. Garnish with a strawberry or a lime wheel.

Mango Daiquiri

• 2 oz white rum
• 3/4 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup (1:1 sugar and water)
• 1/4 cup fresh mango chunks
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Blend the fresh mango chunks until smooth in a blender.
2. Add the white rum, freshly squeezed lime juice, simple syrup, and ice to the blender.
3. Blend until well combined and chilled.
4. Pour the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice.

The Mango Daiquiri variation infuses the cocktail with the tropical sweetness of ripe mangoes.

Pineapple Daiquiri

• 2 oz white rum
• 3/4 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup (1:1 sugar and water)
• 1 oz fresh pineapple juice
• Ice

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, combine the white rum, freshly squeezed lime juice, simple syrup, and fresh pineapple juice.
2. Add ice and shake until well-chilled.
3. Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice.
4. Garnish with a pineapple slice or a cherry.