Daiquiri

The classic Daiquiri is one of the simplest and most beloved cocktails, made with white rum, freshly squeezed lime juice, and powdered sugar (or simple syrup). It is shaken vigorously with ice and strained into a chilled cocktail glass. The ABV is approximately 17.55%, reflecting the straightforward rum base without significant dilution from mixers.

The Daiquiri is named after a beach near Santiago de Cuba, where American mining engineer Jennings Cox is said to have mixed rum with lime and sugar around 1898 during the Spanish-American War period. The cocktail gained international fame when Ernest Hemingway frequented El Floridita bar in Havana, where barman Constantino Ribalaigua Vert perfected the frozen and double-strained versions. It became one of John F. Kennedy's favourite cocktails.

The Daiquiri family is extraordinarily versatile: the Hemingway Daiquiri (Papa Doble) adds grapefruit juice and maraschino liqueur; the Strawberry Daiquiri blends fresh strawberries with the classic formula; the Banana Daiquiri substitutes banana for citrus. Frozen Daiquiris blend the base with ice for a slushy texture. The Difford's formula uses a 2:1:1 ratio of rum, lime, and sugar syrup for perfect balance.