This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
The classic Daiquiri is made with white rum, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup—served in a coupe glass. It’s tart, citrusy, and subtly sweet, making it a simple and delicious cocktail for an understocked bar! I mean everyone has a bottle of Bacardi deep in their cupboard, right?!
Brief History
The Daiquiri was reportedly invented in the late 19th century by Jennings Cox, an American mining engineer working in the town of Daiquirí, near Santiago de Cuba. The cocktail was created as a simple mix of rum, lime juice, and sugar, ingredients readily available in the region.
The Daiquiri gained popularity when it was introduced to the United States, particularly at the Army and Navy Club in Washington, D.C.. During Prohibition, Americans frequently traveled to Cuba, further boosting its appeal.
A popular spinoff is the Hemingway Daiquiri—building on the classic with the addition of maraschino liqueur and fresh grapefruit juice.
If you’re looking for more popular cocktails featuring maraschino liqueur, try the Tuxedo No. 2 cocktail, Brooklyn cocktail, and Aviation cocktail.
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- White rum: while the classic version calls for white rum you can experiment with aged rums for adding complex nuances like caramel and vanilla, such as Appleton Estate rum or similar Jamaican rum.
- Fresh lime juice: always opt for fresh citrus. I use a citrus squeezer for easy and efficient juicing. You can also increase the citrus portion to 1 ounce for a more tart and citrusy cocktail.
- Simple syrup: 1:1 simple syrup made with equal parts sugar and water. It’s easy to make homemade simple syrup in a matter of minutes. Unlike table sugar, simple syrup mixes readily in cocktails, making it the modern gold standard for sweetening cocktails.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities below.
Expert Tips
- Chill your glasses ahead of time in the freezer to keep your drinks cooler for longer. This is one of my favorite tricks in the summer.
- Fresh lime juice is so important for this cocktail since it’s responsible for its punchy fresh and citrusy flavor.
- This cocktail is best served in a small coupe glass. It makes for a fantastic presentation given the drink’s history and age.
- Always double-strain shaken cocktails through a fine mesh strainer. This removes tiny ice chips that will dilute the cocktail as it warms.
More Rum Cocktails
Enjoy this recipe? If you made this cocktail, please leave a ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ star rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments!
Daiquiri
Ingredients
- 2 ounces light rum
- 3/4 ounces fresh lime juice
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
Instructions
- Combine rum, simple syrup, and lime juice, in a shaker with ice.
- Shake vigorously and double strain into a chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I sometimes like to up the sweetness a bit but this is so refreshing and balanced.