Daiquiri

Classic Daiquiri

(1 ratings)

The Classic Daiquiri is crisp, refreshing, and only takes three simple ingredients you probably already have at home. It’s the perfect balance of tart lime, smooth rum, and subtle sweetness. Light enough to sip all evening but elegant enough to feel special.

SUGGESTED GLASSWARE

Rocks Glass

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Recipe

1 cocktail (135ml)
  • White Rum 
    60 ml
  • Lime Juice 
    22.5 ml
  • Simple syrup (1:1) 
    22.5 ml
  • Lime 
    1 wheel
Recipe credit: Traditional Cuban Recipe

Instructions

Step

Chill your coupe glass in the freezer or fill with ice water while preparing the drink

Step

Add 60ml white rum, 22.5ml fresh lime juice, and 22.5ml simple syrup to your cocktail shaker

Step

Fill the shaker with plenty of ice cubes for proper chilling and dilution

Step

Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for 15 seconds to chill, dilute, and aerate the drink

Step

Double strain using both Hawthorne and fine mesh strainers into your chilled coupe glass

Step

Garnish with a thin lime wheel on the rim if desired and serve immediately

Equipment

Shaker
Hawthorne Strainer
Fine Mesh Strainer
Jigger

Description

The Classic Daiquiri is a timeless three-ingredient cocktail that exemplifies perfect balance between spirit, citrus, and sweetener. Invented in Cuba in the late 19th century, this elegant drink showcases the quality of white rum while delivering refreshing acidity and just enough sweetness to create harmony on the palate.

Nutritional information

1 cocktail (135ml)
Calories
156
ABV
26.7 %
Alcohol
18.2 g
Carbs
11.3 g
Carbs from Sugar
11.3 g
Fat
0 g
Protein
0.1 g
Sodium
2 mg
Nutritional information is approximate and includes estimated 30% dilution from ice. Values may vary based on specific brands and preparation methods.

Tips & Notes

  • Always use freshly squeezed lime juice - bottled juice will dull the drink's brightness and compromise the flavor balance

  • The 60:22.5:22.5ml ratio is classic, but adjust to taste - reduce syrup to 15ml for tarter, increase to 30ml for sweeter

  • Choose a quality Cuban-style white rum as it forms the backbone of the cocktail - brands like Havana Club 3 or Flor de Caña 4 work excellently

  • Double straining is crucial for the silky smooth texture - it removes ice shards and lime pulp for a pristine presentation

While possible, fresh lime juice is essential for the best Classic Daiquiri. Bottled juice lacks the bright citrus oils and fresh acidity that make this cocktail shine, resulting in a flat, dull-tasting drink.

Shaking is essential for a Daiquiri as it properly integrates the citrus, provides necessary dilution, and creates the cocktail’s signature silky texture. Stirring would not provide enough agitation to properly blend the ingredients or achieve the right mouthfeel.

A well-balanced Daiquiri should taste neither too sweet nor too sour, with the rum’s character clearly present but not overpowering. You should taste all three components harmoniously – if one dominates, adjust the ratios slightly for your next cocktail.

Yes, simple syrup keeps well in the refrigerator for up to one week. Make it by combining equal parts sugar and water by volume, heating gently until dissolved, then cooling completely before use.

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Cocktail Difficulty Levels

We’ve added a difficulty rating to every cocktail so you’ll know what to expect before you start mixing. It’s not about being “hard” or “easy” in the strict sense—it’s about how much preparation, skill, and hunting for ingredients you’ll need.

  • Beginner – Quick builds or simple shakes with common ingredients you’ll likely already have at home. Perfect for beginners or a casual evening.

  • Intermediate – A bit more technique (stirring, shaking, muddling, layering) and a few extra ingredients. You might need to buy one or two bottles or garnishes you don’t already stock.

  • Advanced – Multiple steps, specialty techniques (infusions, syrups, foams), or rare ingredients. These drinks take more effort and planning, but reward you with something truly impressive.

The rating is based on things like the number of ingredients, how rare they are, and the skills needed to bring the cocktail together.

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Recipe notes

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Quick recipe

Ingredients

  • White Rum
    60 ml
  • Lime Juice
    22.5 ml
  • Simple syrup (1:1)
    22.5 ml
  • Lime
    1 wheel

Method

  1. Chill your coupe glass in the freezer or fill with ice water while preparing the drink
  2. Add 60ml white rum, 22.5ml fresh lime juice, and 22.5ml simple syrup to your cocktail shaker
  3. Fill the shaker with plenty of ice cubes for proper chilling and dilution
  4. Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for 15 seconds to chill, dilute, and aerate the drink
  5. Double strain using both Hawthorne and fine mesh strainers into your chilled coupe glass
  6. Garnish with a thin lime wheel on the rim if desired and serve immediately