Daiquiri

The Daiquiri is a foundational sour from Cuba and one of the purest expressions of how rum, citrus, and sweetness can be balanced. Although simple on paper, it has long been a benchmark drink for bartenders because the margin for error is small: weak lime, poor dilution, or too much sugar shows immediately. Traditionally served straight up in a chilled cocktail glass or coupe, it tastes clean, zesty, and brisk with a dry finish that highlights the rum rather than burying it. It is ideal as an aperitif, in warm weather, or with seafood and lighter dishes, and it is often considered an essential cocktail for learning core sour-building technique.

Shake well and double strain in a frozencocktail coupette. Garnish with a dehydrated lime.

Ingredients

Light Rum

lime juice(squeezed a la minute)

castersugar.

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Course: Aperitif, Sea Food Starter

Cuisine: Carribbean, Cuban, Grilled Fish

Keyword: White Rum

Prep Time: 3

Cook Time: 1

Total Time: 4

Servings: Chilled cocktail glass or coupe

Calories: 169kcal

Cost: £1.50

Equipment

1 Chilled cocktail glass or coupe
1 Shaker
1 Jigger
1 Fine Strainer

Ingredients

60 ml White Rum
20 ml Fresh Lime Juice
2 tbsp Superfine sugar

Instructions

Chill a coupe or cocktail glass thoroughly.
Add white rum, fresh lime juice, and superfine sugar to a shaker.
Stir briefly in the tin before icing to help dissolve the sugar.
Add cubed ice and shake briskly for 12–15 seconds.
Fine strain into the chilled glass so no ice shards remain.
Serve without garnish, or add a small lime coin if house style requires it.

Notes

The drink should taste dry and refreshing, not sugary. If using coarse sugar, dissolve it first or swap to sugar syrup for consistency during service.

The Spirit: Light, unaged white rum provides the base, bringing clean, crisp, and sometimes mildly grassy or vanilla undertones.
The Sour: Freshly squeezed lime juice provides a sharp, tart, and zesty brightness that anchors the drink.
The Sweet: Simple syrup (sugar and water) smooths out the intense acidity of the lime, adding just enough richness to make the cocktail balanced and approachable rather than sickeningly sweet

Nutrition