Classic Daiquiri Cocktail (Easy Recipe)

The original daiquiri cocktail is light, refreshing, and surprisingly simple. It tastes nothing like that pre-made stuff you get in a bottle!

Over the years, daiquiris have evolved into a ghost of the original recipe.

Classic daiquiris incorporate only three ingredients, and none are fruity (well, except for limes).

A perfectly crafted daiquiri walks a fine line between sweet and sour. And it has more emphasis on those tart notes.

So, enough talk. Let’s look at this delicious, simple daiquiri cocktail recipe.

Daiquiri Ingredients

The key to an authentic daiquiri is high-quality ingredients. There are only a few ingredients in this cocktail. So, reaching for good quality makes a vast difference.

• Ice- Serving a daiquiri over ice yields the best flavor. And since you’ll strain the ice out before serving, you don’t have to reach for the fancy ice cubes.

• White Rum- Track down Cuban rum for the best authentic flavors. Santiago de Cuba, Banks 5 Island Rum, or Mount Gay Silver Rum are all great options.

• Lime Juice- No bottled lime juice allowed! Using bottled lime juice will make your daiquiri taste funky. Pick up some fresh limes and use a juicer for the best flavor. Trust me on this one.

• Simple Syrup- Pre-bottled simple syrup works, but making your own is super easy. The simple syrup adds the perfect sweetness to cut down on those sour notes. Plus, you can tinker with the amount to suit your taste buds.

• Lime Wheel (Optional)- Garnishing with a lime wheel is optional. But it is worth it. Fresh lime slices add a pop of color and a kick of citrus that tastes fantastic. You need fresh limes for juice, so why not pick up a few more for garnishing?

How to Make a Daiquiri

You won’t believe how quickly this cocktail comes together!

You don’t need a skilled bartender to whip this classic Cuban cocktail together. And you don’t have to be one, either. 

Here’s a quick rundown on how to make this fantastic cocktail.

1. Add ice. Fill a cocktail shaker to the top with ice.

2. Pour liquor and mixers. Add lime juice, simple syrup, and white rum to the cocktail shaker. 

Then, shake for 20-30 seconds or until the cocktail shaker is cold to the touch.

3. Strain. Pour the cocktail through the strainer into a coupe or cocktail glass.

4. Garnish. If using, add a lime wheel to the glass. Serve, and enjoy!

Tips and Tricks

• Find the right balance. The trick to a perfect daiquiri is balancing sweet and sour notes. Add more simple syrup if it’s too tart. Add more lime if it’s too sweet.

• Make a pitcher. Want to serve a larger group? You can make a pitcher that serves 8 up to 2 hours before the party. Add 2 cups rum, 1 cup lime juice, 1/2 cup simple syrup, and 1/2 cup water into a pitcher. Add ice and stir. 

• Turn it into a strawberry daiquiri! Making a fruit daiquiri is so easy! For a classic strawberry daiquiri, blend frozen strawberries and ice until smooth. Then, follow the recipe listed below. No need to stop with just strawberries! Add in any fruit you love.

How to Make a Frozen Daiquiri 

Nothing says summer like a frozen daiquiri! All you need is your handy-dandy blender for a frozen summer treat.

The ingredients remain the same, but you only need 3 to 4 ice cubes.

Add everything to the blender and pulse until nice and smooth. It’s that easy!

History of the Daiquiri

The OG daiquiri hails from a small Cuban mining town in the late 1800s. 

Unlike modern interpretations today (sugar-bombs, anyone?), the original concoction was simple and understated.

There’s no clear answer on how this small mining town’s cocktail exploded around the world. But there are a few rumors.

One popular rumor found that an American mining engineer station in Cuba brought it back to D.C. Once stateside, this cocktail spread like wildfire.

It didn’t take long for Ernest Hemingway to discover this fantastic cocktail. It was one of his favorite drinks. 

If anyone knew a good cocktail, it was Ernest Hemmingway! 

He loved it so much that he had a cocktail named after him- the Hemmingway daiquiri. It pairs grapefruit juice and maraschino liqueur, and it’s worth checking out.