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–+ servings

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.