The Daiquiri is one of the six essential cocktails according to the 1948 cocktail bible The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks and one of our favorites. Named after a beach in Cuba and invented around the turn of the century, in its purest form it only contains three ingredients: white rum, sugar, and lime juice.

We’re all familiar with the rainbow of frozen fruit daiquiris that we see spinning away in slushie machines as soon as the weather gets warm. But if you want to up your daiquiri game, you can try a classic variation like the refreshing Hemingway Daiquiri or my personal favorite hot weather cocktail, the Air Mail. A light, Caribbean rum like El Dorado 3 Year is perfect for all of these recipes.

Classic Daiquiri

Ingredients:
2 oz light rum (such as El Dorado 3 Year)
1 oz lime juice
3/4 oz demerara or simple sugar syrup
lime twist (optional)

Directions:
Combine first three ingredients in a shaker with ice
Shake until chilled and strain into a chilled coupe glass
Garnish with a lime twist

Hemingway Daiquiri

Ingredients:
2 oz white rum (such as El Dorado 3 Year)
1/2 oz maraschino liqueur or kirsch
3/4 oz lime juice
1/2 oz grapefruit juice
lime wheel (optional)

Directions:
Combine first four ingredients in a shaker with ice
Shake until chilled and strain into a chilled coupe glass
Garnish with a lime wheel

Air Mail

Ingredients:
2 oz white rum (such as El Dorado 3 Year)
1 oz honey syrup (2 parts honey, 1 part water)
1 oz lime juice
2 oz sparkling wine (Veuve Ambal Cremant would be perfect)
lime wheel (optional)

Directions:
Combine the first 3 ingredients in a shaker with ice
Shake until chilled and strain into a flute or coupe glass
Top with sparkling wine and garnish with lime

Tipsy is a woman-owned wine and spirits shop in New York City. We offer more than 200 varietals for every palate and budget, as well as artisanal gifts and glassware. In addition to our retail presence, we produce educational wine tastings for law firms, nonprofits, and companies of all sizes. Our team of women sommeliers is also available to lead wine tastings for private events, engagement parties and bridal showers. To book a tasting or order client gifts, email events@shoptipsy.com.