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Cocktail History
The Hemingway Daiquiri is a classic cocktail that was created by Constantino Ribalaigua during American Prohibition at El Floridita Restaurant in Havana, Cuba. According to the story, American author Ernest Hemingway stopped by the restaurant to use the restroom and wanted to try their Daiquiri. After one taste of their recipe, he asked the bartender to make another with double the rum and without the sugar, and so, the Hemingway version made with rum, lime, grapefruit, and a dash of cherry was born.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
White Rum: This is a type of rum made with molasses or sugar cane juice and a neutral spirit that is filtered and bottled right away without the aging process. We used BACARDÍ Superior White Rum because it has a soft and slightly sweet rum flavor. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic White Cane Spirit in place of the rum.
Lime Juice: This is the liquid juice of a lime. We used freshly squeezed lime juice.
Grapefruit Juice: This is the liquid juice of a grapefruit. We used freshly squeezed grapefruit juice.
Maraschino Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with Maraschino cherries, honey, herbs, spices, sugar, and alcohol. We used Luxardo Maraschino Orginale Liqueur because it has a distinct earthy aroma and sweet cherry flavor. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Trader Vic’s Premium Maraschino Cherry Syrup in place of the cherry liqueur.
Lime Slice: This is a slice of lime that has been cut into a half wheel shape.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. We used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Boston Shaker: This is used to shake ingredients. We used the Boston shaker from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Hawthorne Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is shaken. We used the A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer.
Paring Knife: This is used to cut ingredients. We used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.
Juicer: This is used to juice citrus. We used the ALEEHAI Manual Fruit Juicer.
Tasting Notes
The Hemingway Daiquiri features aroma of citrus and maraschino cherry and the initial taste of light rum followed by the tartness of grapefruit and lime and more cherry on the swallow.
Our Opinion of This Cocktail Recipe: This is a recipe that we both love enough to drink together! We thought it was tropical and dry but not so much that Kendall, who usually enjoys sweeter beverages, didn’t enjoy it. This version of the Hemingway Daiquiri has since become a staple at our home bar.
Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.
Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.
Alex’s Take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“While I love the classic Daiquiri template as all should, in my opinion, I think I might be an even bigger fan of the Hemingway Daiquiri. It offers a bit more complexity than the original with all of the same great flavors, and it brings an extra burst of fresh grapefruit to up the tropical vibe.”—
Kendall’s Take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I’ve never been a big fan of the overly sugary frozen Daiquiris you find at menus at chain restaurants so I’m aligned with Ernest Hemingway’s desire for a slightly drier version. I also like that the Hemingway Daiquiri is shaken, strained, and served up rather than blended. I’m in agreement with Alex’s opinion that the original isn’t quite complex enough and that it tastes much better with a touch more grapefruit.”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from The Art of Vintage Cocktails by Stephanie Rosenbaum.
Add rum, grapefruit juice, lime juice, maraschino liqueur, and cubed ice to a shaker.
Shake for 10-20 seconds.
Strain into a cocktail glass.
Garnish with lime slice.
Ingredients
Directions
Add rum, grapefruit juice, lime juice, maraschino liqueur, and cubed ice to a shaker.
Shake for 10-20 seconds.
Strain into a cocktail glass.
Garnish with lime slice.
Make It a Mocktail: Use Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic White Cane Spirit in place of the rum and Trader Vic’s Premium Maraschino Cherry Syrup in place of the cherry liqueur to try a booze-free version of this drink.
Shop Glassware & Tools
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More Rum Cocktails
If you like this rum-based cocktail recipe, here are a few others we’ve tried that you may enjoy:
Airmail: A gold rum cocktail made with lime juice, honey syrup, sparkling wine, and a lime peel
Mocha Rum Toddy: A rum cocktail made with coffee, dark crème de cacao, simple syrup, whipped cream, and cocoa powder
Jamaican Mule: A rum cocktail made with ginger syrup, lime juice, pineapple juice, Angostura aromatic bitters, candied ginger, a lime slice, and an orchid blossom
Dark ‘N’ Stormy: A dark rum cocktail made with lime juice, ginger beer, and a lime wheel
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