The Duty Daiquiri adds a fresh twist to the classic rum cocktail by mixing white rum with grapefruit juice and maple syrup. This easy-to-make drink needs just 4 ingredients. It takes less than 5 minutes to prepare.
The drink gets its name from its simple recipe that makes it a reliable choice for any home bartender. The sweet maple syrup balances the tart grapefruit juice, while the rum provides a smooth finish.
The recipe works well for parties and gatherings since it can be made in batches ahead of time. The ingredients are common and easy to find at most grocery stores, making it a great option for both beginners and experienced mixologists.
Duty Daiquiri Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Hawthorne strainer
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Jigger or measuring tool
- Coupe or Nick & Nora glass
- Ice
Ingredients
- 2 oz white rum
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 3/4 oz demerara syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Garnish: lime wheel optional
For demerara syrup:
- 1 cup demerara sugar
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Fill the cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add white rum, fresh lime juice, demerara syrup, and Angostura bitters to the shaker.
- Shake vigorously for 10-12 seconds until well-chilled.
- Double strain into a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass.
- Garnish with a lime wheel if desired.
For demerara syrup:
- Mix sugar and water in a small pot
- Heat on medium, stirring until sugar dissolves
- Let cool and store in fridge for up to 2 weeks
Notes
Must Have Ingredients
| Image | Title | Buy |
|---|---|---|
 | Collins Candied Fruit Orange Peel Twist in Syrup For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
 | Collins Strawberries in Syrup For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
 | Collins Candied Ginger in Syrup For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
 | Peninsula Premium Cocktail Cherries For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
 | Premium Lychees in Syrup For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
 | Oranfit Dried Orange Slices For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
 | Oranfit Dried Lime Slices For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
 | LAVA Premium Cocktail Rimmers Variety Pack | Buy On Amazon |
 | Pure Cane Simple Syrup Cocktail Mixer | Buy On Amazon |
 | Q GINGER BEER with Real Ginger & Organic Agave | Buy On Amazon |
 | Q Mixers Premium Ginger Ale | Buy On Amazon |
 | Q ELDERFLOWER TONIC WATER with Real Quinine & Organic Agave | Buy On Amazon |
 | Q Club soda with Himalayan Salt | Buy On Amazon |
 | WithCo Cucumber Gimlet Craft Cocktail Mixer with Mint | Buy On Amazon |
 | Strongwater Old Fashioned Mix- Handcrafted Old Fashioned Syrup with Bitters, Orange, Cherry, Organic Demerara Sugar | Buy On Amazon |
 | Bittermilk No.1 Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Fashioned Mix | Buy On Amazon |
 | Portland Syrups Pumpkin Spice Syrup | Buy On Amazon |
 | Portland Syrups Lavender Syrup | Buy On Amazon |
 | Portland Syrups Vanilla Syrup | Buy On Amazon |
 | Original Bloody Mary Mix | Buy On Amazon |
 | Fever Tree Sparkling Pink Grapefruit | Buy On Amazon |
 | Professional Drink Mixer Set for Beginners | Buy On Amazon |
 | 1 Pack 3 Tier Bar Glass Rimmer | Buy On Amazon |
 | Cocktail Ice Mold With Easy Fill and Release Silicone Round Ice Ball Maker | Buy On Amazon |
 | Stainless Steel Bar Tool For Making Garnish for Cocktails & Mocktails | Buy On Amazon |
Tasting Notes
The Duty Daiquiri has a bright, citrus-forward taste with strong lime notes up front. The aged rum adds depth with hints of oak, vanilla, and warm spices.
Sweet and sour elements balance perfectly. The drink starts tart from fresh lime juice, followed by a gentle sweetness from simple syrup.
Key Flavor Notes:
- Fresh lime zest
- Vanilla bean
- Oak
- Brown sugar
- Light caramel
- Orange blossom
A silky smooth texture coats the palate without feeling heavy. The finish is clean and refreshing with lingering notes of citrus and aged rum.
The drink maintains its crispness from start to finish. Ice dilution helps soften the rum’s alcoholic bite while keeping flavors bold and defined.
Temperature plays an important role – serve very cold for the best taste experience. As the drink warms slightly, subtle rum flavors become more noticeable.
Substitute
You can make changes to the Duty Daiquiri if some ingredients aren’t available. The main spirit swap options are listed below.
Instead of White Rum:
- Gold rum
- Light aged rum
- Vodka
- Gin
Instead of Orange Liqueur:
- Triple sec
- Cointreau
- Grand Marnier
- Orange juice with simple syrup
The lime juice is essential for the drink’s taste. But lemon juice can work in a pinch. Use the same amount as lime juice.
For the simple syrup part, these options work well:
- Agave nectar
- Honey syrup
- Sugar dissolved in warm water
Each substitute will change the taste slightly. The basic recipe stays the same – just swap equal amounts of the new ingredient for the original one.
If making the non-alcoholic version, try:
- Apple juice instead of rum
- Orange juice instead of orange liqueur
- Keep the lime juice and simple syrup amounts the same
