July 19th is National Daiquiri Day. We’ve never needed a reason to drink, but hey, we’ll drink to that! National Daiquiri Day celebrates the Cuban-born cocktail that was a favorite of Ernest Hemingway and remains a key component to tropical vacations.
Over the years, the original daiquiri–a simple combination of rum, lime and sugar–became marred by fruity syrups, sweet and sour and blenders. In honor of the holiday, mix up a traditional daiquiri to reconnect with the classic drink.
The Daiquiri
2 ounces light rum (Havana Club, if you can find it)
3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
1 ounce simple syrupShake all ingredients with ice, and strain into a cocktail glass. Or strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wheel.
Alternatively, use an aged rum for a delicious Anejo Daiquiri. Or pay tribute to Hemingway himself with a Hemingway Daiquiri, which adds fresh grapefruit juice and maraschino liqueur to good effect.
The Hemingway Daiquiri
2 ounces light rum
3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
1/2 ounce fresh grapefruit juice
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon Luxardo maraschino liqueurShake all ingredients with ice, and strain into a goblet over crushed ice.
