If all you've ever had when you've ordered a daiquiri is a frozen limeade with some rum, you're in for a treat. The classic daiquiri is nothing like its cloying cousin. And it's so easy to make without any premixes or frozen concentrate. Learn to make the traditional daiquiri with fresh lime juice and some simple syrup, and you'll never go back to a premix again.
How to Make a Classic Daiquiri
The modern classic daiquiri peaked in popularity in the 1940s as rations made obtaining whiskey and vodka challenging. At the same time, rum's accessibility skyrocketed, thanks to open trade between the United States and Latin America. The sudden fashionability of these cultures boosted the allure of rum drinks, shoving the daiquiri into the spotlight.
Ingredients
- 1¾ ounces light rum
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¾ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, rum, lime juice, and simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the chilled glass.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
If it's summer and you're looking for a blended drink to keep you cool, turn this recipe into a frozen daiquiri. Keep the same refreshing taste by blending 1 cup of ice with the ingredients.
6 Simple Daiquiri Variations
The classic daiquiri, a tasty lime cocktail, can be easily changed to accommodate the pickiest palettes or account for missing ingredients.
- Experiment with the cocktail proportions: add a little extra lime juice for a tarter flavor, more simple syrup for a sweeter taste, and a splash more rum for a boozier punch. Only try one at a time to not overwhelm the other cocktail flavors.
- Opt for lime cordial instead of lime juice for a lime-forward taste and a slightly sweeter cocktail.
- Swap light rum for aged rum to alter the flavor subtly without changing the cocktail entirely.
- Including a quarter-ounce or less freshly squeezed lemon or orange juice adds another layer of citrus without altering the daiquiri too much.
- Try fruit flavors like peach daiquiris as variations on the classic.
- Replace the simple syrup with falernum for a spicy tiki flavor.
Related: 15 Frozen Daiquiri Recipes to Chill You Out This Summer
Fancy Daiquiri Garnishes
The lime wheel might be the traditional daiquiri garnish, but there are other choices to make, whether you want something more playful or traditional.
- Use a lime wedge or slice instead of a wheel. If you use a lime wedge, you can squeeze the citrus for extra lime notes. You can discard the wedge in the drink or be rid of it entirely.
- Try an orange or lemon. You can do this with a wheel, lime, or wedge to add a flash of color and an extra dash of citrus.
- A lime peel or ribbon makes for a playful garnish.
- Dehydrated citrus wheels are modern garnishes that add a subtle pop of color.
- A small sprinkle of lime zest adds a unique and unusual visual garnish.
The Art of the Daiquiri
The classic daiquiri is a cocktail for all ages. It's a much-misunderstood cocktail, with people associating it with cloying and over-the-top flavors. Whether you enjoy a simple cocktail or want a crisp yet tart taste with a tropical twist, the classic daiquiri is well-deserving near the top of the cocktail lineup.
