Daiquiri

by Jen

The term “Daiquiri” has come to be associated with slightly alcoholic fruit smoothies over the years, but that’s not at all what the original recipe called for. The classic Daiquiri is light rum, lime or lemon juice, and a little sugar – that’s it.

If you’re used to thinking of Daiquiris as fru-fru cocktails for beginners, you might change your mind after trying this version. The rum packs a nice little punch you can definitely taste. The overall flavor is distinctly tropical, but not sweet – the sugar just takes the sour edge off the lime or lemon. And since it’s served in a cocktail glass instead of a funky shaped novelty glass with little umbrellas and colored straws, it looks as grown-up and sophisticated as it tastes.

The Classic Daiquiri

• 1 jigger light rum
• Juice of 1/2 lime or lemon
• 1/4 ounce simple syrup (or 1 teaspoon powdered sugar)

Pour everything into a shaker with ice, shake it up, strain the mix into a chilled cocktail glass, and serve. Little umbrellas optional. I wouldn’t, but maybe that’s just me.

Just a touch of sweet

What goes well with rum and lime or lemon? Slightly sweet entrees: Thai dishes that use coconut milk, honey glazed beef tips, barbecued ribs or terriyaki anything.

For snacks, make a bowl of kettle corn – or, really, almost any of these popcorn recipes.

Posted in Lime Juice, Rum on February 23, 2009