with Tony Abou-Ganim www.themodernmixologist.com

Whatever Happened to the Daiquiri?

’m not talking about those frozen concoc- bon vivant and very much enjoys imbibing tions that are produced in an industrial- well-crafted , just returned from a Ilooking machine and come in every fl avor trip to Havana. Visiting El Floridita, he found (or artifi cial fl avor) under the sun. No, I’m himself face to face with a life-size bronze talking about the classic Daiquiri, the statue of the great writer, occupying his that legend has it was fi rst mixed in Santiago, regular barstool. When placed in such a situa- , sometime between 1898 and 1905. tion what’s a man to do but order a Daiquiri As the story goes, American engineer Jen- or two? “Although frozen,” George reports, nings Cox, who worked in the Cuban cop- “they were made with fresh juice and per mines, was entertaining some American Havana Club rum with just the right amount guests and had run out of . Not wanting of sugar . . . simply perfect!” to serve just the local spirit—rum—he made The Daiquiri is one of the ten most impor- a simple mixture of rum, fresh lime juice and tant cocktails of all time, one that all bartend- sugar. The drink was eventually named after ers should know and master. Its elegance lies the mine, and the Daiquiri was born. in perfect balance and simplicity: rum, fresh The drink remained local lime juice and sugar. until U.S. Navy medical offi cer Classic Daiquiri Admiral Lucius 2 oz. Oronoco rum* W. Johnson tried a 1 oz. fresh, hand-extracted lime juice Daiquiri in 1909. The 1 oz. simple syrup (50-50) good Admiral intro- In a mixing glass, add Oronoco, fresh lime duced it to the United juice and simple syrup; shake with ice until States by way of the Army well blended. Strain into a chilled . and Navy Club in Washing- Garnish with a thin wheel of lime, fl oating. ton, D.C., where a select few *This is a cocktail in which you can ex- can still enjoy it at the Daiquiri periment with many wonderful rums, such Lounge to this day. as those from Clément, Barbancourt, Cruzan, It wasn’t until 1912, at a joint called Mount Gay, Appleton Estate and , to El Floridita in Havana, Cuba, that name a few. bartender Constantino Ribalaigua Vert elevated the Daiquiri to classic status. Hemingway Daiquiri Constantino is credited with serving 2 oz. 10 Cane rum Ernest Hemingway his infamous Papa 1/4 oz. Luxardo liqueur Doble—a frozen Daiquiri with a double (or to taste) portion of rum and no sugar—and 1/2 oz. fresh, hand-extracted lime juice is famous for the creation of the 1 oz. fresh Ruby Red grapefruit juice Hemingway Daiquiri, made with rum, 1/2 oz. simple syrup (optional) Maraschino liqueur, fresh lime and In a mixing glass add 10 Cane, Maraschino grapefruit juices. liqueur, simple syrup, fresh lime and grapefruit My dear friend George, juices; shake with ice until well blended. Strain a true gentleman who into a chilled champagne coupe. Garnish with a fancies himself a bit of a thin lime bowtie.

26 / the tasting panel / october 2008

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