According to legend, the development of the daquiri occurred as the British Navy was fighting in the Caribbean, during the 1740’s. Historically the navy had been given a hearty beer ration, that had been reduced to a pint of rum by that time period (due to accessibility and ease of transport). Naval leaders realized the men would fight more effectively if they were a bit more sober, and so their rum ration was cut with water and lime juice- well on its way to being a daiquiri.
The drink spread to the Cuban Natives, and sugar was added, from their plentiful plantations. The drink became a combination of water, rum, sugar and lime juice- and was ultimately named for a local beach by American miners that occupied Cuba following the Spanish American War. Over time, the recipe was refined and the water was eliminated - as it was discovered that the cracked ice provided enough balance to the rum.
You can learn more about the history of the Daquiri- and it’s cousin the sugar free Hemingway Daiquiri (thanks to his diabetes)- here....
We used the Bartender’s Bible for our classic recipe- and just pictured ourselves on Daquiri Beach while drinking it.
RECIPE
2oz Rum
Juice of 1/2 lime
1/2 tsp simple syrup (or to taste)
Mix all ingredients in a shaker with cracked ice, and strain into a chilled glass.
Cheers!
Stacy & Christine
Stacy & Christine