The classic daiquiri cocktail is a refreshing blend of white rum & lime. Tangy citrus bounces alongside punchy rum while a touch of sweetness cuts through the sharp, boozy edge for a zesty cocktail that never goes out of style.
Love lime cocktails? How about a lime & basil sour?
Why I Love This Recipe
- Classic: If ever there was a drink designed for warm sunny days, the daiquiri cocktail is it.
- Taste: Expect a sweet and sour flavour profile with the zesty, sharp refreshment of lime juice.
- Quick: This drink takes mere minutes to make.
- Simple ingredients: Just three easy to find ingredients are required.
Jump to:
What Is A Classic Daiquiri?
- The traditional daiquiri is a well-loved classic rum-sour drink, consisting of just 3 ingredients:
- White Cuban rum
- Lime juice
- Sugar cane syrup
- It is made in a cocktail shaker and garnished very simply - just a twist or wedge of lime will suffice. It's one on the easiest cocktails around.
- The daiquiri cocktail originated in Cuba in the late 1800s, so it has stood the test of time and earns it's title as a classic cocktail.
- The traditional daiquiri uses Cuban white rum which typically lends a crisp, dry and mildly grassy flavour profile to the drink which sits alongside the zesty lime and results in a smooth & refreshing cocktail.
Daiquiri Ratio
The authentic ratio of ingredients for the classic daiquiri cocktail is open to debate.
Home bartenders typically adopt one of the following ratios:
- 2:1:½ meaning 2 parts rum, 1 part lime and ½ part sugar syrup (my preference).
- 2:1:¾ meaning 2 parts rum, 1 part lime and ¾ part sugar syrup.
However, professional bar tenders will adjust these ratios depending on the type of rum, the type of sugar and even the type of ice used. Take a look at Difford's Guide for an in-depth look at the daiquiri ratio of ingredients factoring in numerous thought-provoking variables.
Ingredients Notes
White rum: This lime daiquiri is delicious made with Cuban rum such as Bacardi white rum or Ron Santiago de Cuba white rum but you can experiment with any white rum of your preference.
Lime juice: Freshly squeezed is the best option.
Sugar syrup: If you are making your own sugar syrup go for the classic ratio of 1:1 for the sugar and water. Do not use a rich sugar syrup (extra sweetness) and do not opt for a flavoured syrup (unless you are deliberately choosing to do so to get creative with the flavour). It is fine to use ready made sugar syrup.
How To Make A Classic Daiquiri (Step-By-Step Instructions)
Full instructions and measurements are given in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
Step 1. Add a handful of ice to the base of a cocktail shaker. Pour in the rum, lime juice and sugar syrup.
Step 2. Secure the lid of the shaker and shake hard for 30 seconds.
Step 3. Strain the lime daiquiri into a cocktail glass, garnish with lime zest & serve immediately.
Expert Tips
- Chill your serving glass or place a few ice cubes it it while you make the drink, then discard them when ready to serve. This helps ensure the drink is served ice-cold.
- Measure ingredients accurately: It's easy to upset the balance in a cocktail by trying to guess the measures. Use a cocktail jigger to get accurate measurements.
- Taste & adjust before serving:
- Too sour: Add more sugar syrup.
- Too sweet: Add more lime juice
- Double strain: To ensure your cocktail is smooth it's a good idea to double strain it or pass the lime juice through a fine-meshed sieve prior to adding it to the cocktail shaker.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is traditional to serve the daiquiri cocktail in a coupe glass but if you do not own one the use a martini glass, Nick & Nora glass or other stemmed glass around the right size to hold your cocktail.
Yes, you can, bit it is best to shake it right before serving to ensure it is served ice cold. Best practice for making ahead of time is to mix the rum, lime and sugar syrup together (as many servings as desired), store in the fridge and then pour 70ml servings to shake with ice as required).
Yes, you can. Using dark rum results in what is known as a dark daiquiri or a dark rum daiquiri.
What To Serve With A Lime Daiquiri Cocktail
In terms of savoury nibbles, think along the lines of salted nuts, olives or watermelon & feta skewers. But if it's sweet treats you are after, here are my favourite options:
There are, of course, plenty of variations on the traditional daiquiri, pulling in a host of other flavours - have you tried my violet daiquiri? There is also the frozen daiquiri - a regular daiquiri blended with ice that produces a slushie style drink.
Have you made this classic lime daiquiri recipe? Please rate the recipe or leave a comment - I love hearing how you get along with my creations.
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📖 Recipe
Classic Daiquiri Cocktail (Cuban white rum, fresh lime, refreshing and timeless)
Equipment
- 1 Cocktail shaker
Ingredients
- 40 ml Cuban white rum such as bacardi
- 20 ml Lime juice
- 10 ml Sugar syrup
- Lime zest for garnish
Instructions
- Add a handful of ice to the base of a cocktail shaker. Pour in the rum, lime juice and sugar syrup.
- Secure the lid of the shaker and shake hard for 30 seconds.
- Strain the lime daiquiri into a cocktail glass, garnish with lime zest & serve immediately.
Notes
- Chill your serving glass or place a few ice cubes it it while you make the drink, then discard them when ready to serve. This helps ensure the drink is served ice-cold.
- Measure ingredients accurately: It's easy to upset the balance in a cocktail by trying to guess the measures. Use a cocktail jigger to get accurate measurements.
- Taste & adjust before serving:
- Too sour: Add more sugar syrup.
- Too sweet: Add more lime juice
- Double strain: To ensure your cocktail is smooth it's a good idea to double strain it or pass the lime juice through a fine-meshed sieve prior to adding it to the cocktail shaker.
- Serving glass: Traditionally the daiquiri cocktail is served in a coupe glass but if you do not own one the use a martini glass, Nick & Nora glass or other stemmed glass around the right size to hold your cocktail.
- Use dark rum in place of white rum: The results is what is known as a dark daiquiri or a dark rum daiquiri.
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