Classic Daiquiri Cocktail Recipe

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The Classic Daiquiri is one of the most refreshing cocktails out there. With just three ingredients—rum, lime juice, and sugar—it delivers a sweet-sour balance that’s kept it popular for over a century.

A proper Daiquiri uses 2 ounces of white rum, 1 ounce of fresh lime juice, and 3/4 ounce of simple syrup, shaken with ice and strained into a chilled glass.

This cocktail got its start in Cuba in the late 1800s. American mining engineer Jennings Cox introduced it to U.S. visitors, and Ernest Hemingway later helped make it famous worldwide.

Unlike the modern, blended versions loaded with fruit or extra liqueurs, the original Daiquiri keeps things minimal. Its clean taste is great before dinner or when you’re just looking for something cool on a warm day.

Classic Daiquiri Cocktail Recipe

Classic Daiquiri Cocktail Recipe
The Classic Daiquiri is simple but elegant. Just three ingredients, and when you get the balance right, it’s a timeless drink.
John
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Serving Size 1

Equipment

  • Cocktail shaker with strainer
  • Jigger or measuring tool
  • Citrus juicer (a hand press is fine)
  • Fine mesh strainer (optional, but nice to have)
  • Chilled coupe or martini glass
  • Ice (enough for shaking)

Ingredients

For one Classic Daiquiri:

  • 2 oz 60ml white rum (Bacardi Superior or Havana Club 3 Year are solid picks)
  • ¾ oz 22ml fresh lime juice
  • ½ oz 15ml simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water)

Quality matters: Squeeze your lime juice fresh—bottled stuff just doesn’t taste right.

Instructions

  • Chill your glass in the freezer for 15-20 minutes before you start.
  • Measure all ingredients with a jigger or whatever measuring tool you’ve got.
  • Combine rum, lime juice, and simple syrup in your shaker.
  • Add ice so the shaker is about three-quarters full.
  • Shake hard for 10-15 seconds, until the shaker feels frosty.
  • Strain into your chilled glass. If you’re picky about ice shards, double strain through a mesh strainer.
  • Serve right away, no garnish needed if you want to keep it classic.

Notes

The Classic Daiquiri goes way back to Cuba in the early 1900s. Hemingway was a fan, which probably helped its reputation.
Easy to mess up, though. Too much or too little lime, bad rum, or a lazy shake can throw it off. Balance is everything here.
Temperature matters. A warm daiquiri just feels wrong, so use plenty of ice and a pre-chilled glass.
If you want to tweak the sweetness, change up the simple syrup amount. Some bartenders use a 2:1 rich syrup and just add less of it.
The Classic Daiquiri is the base for all sorts of riffs—Strawberry Daiquiri, Hemingway Daiquiri, you name it.

Must Have Ingredients

Tasting Notes

A classic Daiquiri is bright and refreshing, balancing sweet, sour, and a kick from the rum. The first thing you get is a crisp citrus hit from the lime juice.

Simple syrup brings up the sweetness, but it shouldn’t overpower. The goal is subtlety, not a sugar rush.

The rum holds it all together. White rum usually gives you a bit of vanilla and light tropical notes, finishing clean. You’ll taste the alcohol, but it shouldn’t be harsh.

Key Flavor Components:

  • Lime: Tart, bright, citrusy
  • Simple Syrup: Clean sweetness
  • White Rum: Vanilla, light tropical notes

Texture-wise, it’s smooth and light. When shaken well, you get a silky mouthfeel, maybe even some tiny ice shards that melt instantly.

A great Daiquiri finishes dry and clean, with a quick citrus echo. It’s the kind of drink that makes you want another sip, honestly.

Serve it really cold, or you’ll miss out on that crisp, refreshing snap. The temperature lifts the whole experience.

Substitute

You can totally make a Daiquiri with whatever you have on hand. Don’t stress if you’re missing the classic ingredients—there are workarounds.

No white rum? Light tequila or vodka step in pretty well. The taste shifts, but you’ll still end up with something refreshing.

Aged rum also works, though expect a deeper, richer drink—think more caramel, less zing.

Fresh lime juice is ideal. But if you’re in a squeeze, bottled lime juice will do.

Just double-check that it’s 100% lime juice and not packed with weird sweeteners.

Sugar Alternatives:

  • Simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water)
  • Honey syrup (3 parts honey, 1 part warm water)
  • Agave nectar
  • Maple syrup

Want fewer calories? Natural sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit can work, but go easy—they’re seriously sweet.

No shaker? Grab a clean jar with a tight lid. Even a protein shaker bottle does the trick.

If you’re desperate, just stir everything with ice in a glass and strain it out.

No ice? Chill your glass and ingredients in the freezer for half an hour before mixing.

It won’t dilute as much, so maybe add a splash of cold water if you want.

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Hey there, I’m John Watson—a guy who’s spent over 20 years proving that a good drink can fix just about anything (well, almost anything). Whether it’s cocktails that wow or mocktails that mock boredom, I’m all about crafting sips with stories. Founder of ThirstyTales and full-time drink nerd, I’m here to help you shake things up, one glass at a time. Let’s mix, laugh, and maybe spill a little—cheers to the adventure!

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