Daiquiri
A crisp, perfectly balanced Cuban cocktail that lets good rum shine. Fresh lime juice and a touch of sugar tame the spirit's warmth, creating a bracingly tart, smooth drink that's far more elegant than its frozen, fruity descendants. Three ingredients, one unforgettable sip.
For 1 serving
- prep
Chill the coupe glass.
Place a coupe glass in the freezer or fill it with ice water to chill while you prepare the drink.
- prep · ~1 min
Juice the lime.
Roll a fresh lime on the countertop with firm palm pressure to release the juices. Cut in half and juice using a citrus juicer until you have about 25 ml of fresh juice.
TIPRoom-temperature limes yield more juice than cold ones. - mix · ~1 min
Combine ingredients in the shaker.
1.Add 60 ml white rum to the cocktail shaker.2.Add 25 ml fresh lime juice.3.Add 2 teaspoons superfine sugar.TIPSuperfine sugar dissolves faster than granulated. If using regular sugar, stir with the lime juice first to dissolve. - mix
Shake hard with ice.
1.Fill the shaker with ice cubes.2.Seal the shaker tightly.3.Shake vigorously for 10-12 seconds until the outside of the shaker is frosty and cold.TIPA hard, short shake chills and dilutes perfectly without over-diluting. Stop when the shaker feels painfully cold. - assemble · ~1 min
Strain into the chilled glass.
Empty the ice from your chilled coupe glass if you used ice water. Double-strain through the Hawthorne strainer and a fine mesh sieve into the glass for a silky-smooth drink free of ice shards and pulp.
TIPDouble-straining gives the daiquiri its signature clean, crisp texture. - garnish
Garnish with a lime wheel and serve immediately.
Float a thin lime wheel on top or perch it on the rim. Serve right away.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Chill your coupe glass thoroughly so the drink stays icy cold without diluting from extra ice.
- 2Superfine sugar dissolves almost instantly; if using granulated, stir it with lime juice first to avoid gritty texture.
- 3Use a fresh, juicy lime and never bottled juice— the bright acidity is critical for balance.
- 4Shake vigorously for 10-12 seconds until the shaker is frosty; over-shaking can over-dilute the cocktail.
- 5Double-strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove ice shards and lime pulp for a silky mouthfeel.
- 6Serve immediately after straining— the daiquiri is best ice-cold and loses its sparkle if it sits.
Adapt it for your goals.
Hemingway Daiquiri
Replace 15 ml rum with maraschino liqueur and add a splash of grapefruit juice for a drier, more aromatic twist that Papa Hemingway favored.
Frozen DaiquiriFrozen Daiquiri
Blend all ingredients with 1 cup crushed ice until slushy — a tropical, refreshing summer version that still respects the classic ratios.
Low Sugar DaiquiriLow-Sugar Daiquiri
Substitute superfine sugar with 1/2 teaspoon of simple syrup or a sugar-free sweetener for a lighter, less sweet cocktail that highlights the rum and lime.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Fresh Lime Vitamin C
Each daiquiri provides a generous dose of vitamin C from fresh lime juice, supporting immune function and collagen production.
Low-Calorie Cocktail
With only three simple ingredients and no syrupy mixers, this classic daiquiri is lower in calories and sugar than most cocktails.
Minimal Additives
The recipe contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives — just rum, lime, and sugar in their purest forms.
Frequently asked questions
No — bottled lime juice lacks the bright, volatile oils and fresh acidity that make a daiquiri crisp. Always use fresh-squeezed limes.
