Think you don't like daiquiris? Think again! Shake up a Classic Daiquiri Cocktail that is easy and as authentic as you'd drink at a bar in Cuba.
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When most people hear "daiquiri", they automatically think of slushie concoctions in a bright rainbow of colors (thank you spring break and Vegas). But a real, authentic daiquiri has Cuban roots and bears no resemblance to its frozen American cousins.
A Classic Daiquiri Cocktail is made with only three ingredients. Shaken and served straight up, this simple sweet and sour drink will hook you from your first sip.
Ingredients
Because there are so few ingredients in this drink, use the best you can.
- Rum - Most rums available at the liquor store are not overly expensive so I definitely recommend that you spend a few extra bucks for a smooth rum. Your taste buds will thank you.
- Lime juice - Fresh is required. Period. Don't even try to sneak in the fake stuff. Your cocktail will taste off.
- Rich simple syrup - Buy a bottle at the store or check out this post for a rich simple syrup recipe you can make at home. It's so easy!
Instructions
The key to a really good daiquiri (or any cocktail for that matter) is balance.
With only three ingredients, daiquiris rely on striking that perfect balance between sweet and sour.
Many of the recipes I researched called for a lot of lime juice and/or rum along with a minimal amount of simple syrup. They were just too sour for my taste (and I'm not a huge fan of sweet drinks). Either that or I felt like it was overly boozy and not in proportion to the other ingredients.
So I borrowed a note from a cocktail bar in New York and used rich simple syrup.
Interestingly, rich simple syrups, even though they are sweeter, can actually make a cocktail taste more balanced. An added bonus is the thicker consistency of rich syrup gives the cocktail a bit more mouthfeel.
In my opinion, this is the PERFECT Classic Daiquiri recipe. And it couldn't be easier to make:
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add rum, lime juice and simple syrup.
- Shake vigorously for at least 20 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a lime wheel, if desired. Serve immediately.
FAQs
The choice is yours. Most traditional daiquiris call for white rum but feel free to swap in gold rum if you have a favorite.
Again, this is a personal preference. I like the smoothness and consistency of using simple syrup but some people swear by using sugar to sweeten their daiquiris. If you want to use sugar, opt for superfine sugar (it's finer and dissolves more quickly than regular baking sugar). Make sure you thoroughly stir together the lime juice and sugar before adding to the cocktail shaker so you don't end up with a gritty drink.
Many frozen daiquiris are served in large hurricane glasses (think footed and curvy), but a classic daiquiri is often served in a chilled coupe or martini glass.
Weighing in at less than 4 ounces, it's a petite drink that requires a petite glass.
More rum mixed drink recipes
- Shake up your sangria routine with pineapple rum! This white sangria recipe is infused with lime, basil and pineapple for a thirst-quenching treat.
- If you come to Minnesota (or even if you don't!), you have to sample one of our famous Bootleg Cocktails. This drink works equally as well with rum, vodka or gin. Intrigued yet?
- Few rum cocktails are as well known as mojitos. Add a little extra flavor to your next round with this fresh Watermelon Mojito recipe.
Recipe
Classic Daiquiri
Ingredients
- 2 ounces rum
- 1 ounce lime juice
- ¾ ounce rich simple syrup
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Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Cover and shake vigorously for at least 20 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a lime wheel, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition info not guaranteed to be accurate.
A good daiquiri is all about balance - the smooth flavor of quality rum, the tanginess of lime juice and the sweetness of simple syrup. Make your own bar-worthy drink at home with our easy, 3-ingredient Classic Daiquiri recipe.
Tom H says
I made this with fresh lime juice I squeezed and it was great. Then I snuck in what you call "fake" stuff, I.E. a bottled lime juice - which I don't consider "fake" - and while I wouldn't say it was as great as the fresh, it was still very good. It didn't taste "off" to me at all. And when I'm the one drinking it, my opinion is the only one that matters.