• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
A Grateful Meal
  • About
    • Contact Me
  • Nutrition Coaching
  • Blog
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Me
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • All Recipes
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Me
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Drinks and Cocktails

    Lemon Daiquiri

    Published: Feb 25, 2023 by Melissa · This post contains links that pay me a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    Pinterest image of the cocktail with the words "best lemon daiquiri" in text overlay.
    Pinterest image of the cocktail with the words "easy lemon daiquiri" in text overlay.
    Pinterest image of the cocktail with the words "lemon daiquiri" in text overlay.
    Pinterest image of the cocktail with the words "lemon daiquiri" in text overlay.
    ↓ Jump to Recipe

    Looking for a refreshing and zesty drink to brighten up your day? Look no further than a tantalizingly tart Lemon Daiquiri! With its tangy citrus flavor and crisp, cool finish, this classic cocktail is the perfect way to kick back and relax in style. So grab your favorite glass and let’s get ready to shake up this irresistible cocktail!

    Lemon daiquiri on a wood cutting board with a white vase in the background.

    For more tasty lemon cocktails, check out my Lemon Cheesecake Cocktail, Lemon Drop Martini, and Strawberry Limoncello Margarita.

    Or, if you just love a good daiquiri, check out my Passion Fruit Daiquiri.

    Jump to:
    • Why This Recipe Works
    • What is a Daiquiri?
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • FAQ and Tips
    • Related Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    Why This Recipe Works

    • Refreshing and zesty: A Lemon Daiquiri is a refreshing and zesty drink that’s perfect for any warm weather day. The tangy citrus flavor of fresh lemon juice combined with the sweetness of sugar and the subtle kick of rum creates a delicious and invigorating taste that’s sure to quench your thirst and cool you down.
    • Simple and easy: It’s is a simple and easy-to-make rum cocktail that requires only a few ingredients, and can be whipped up in no time. With minimal effort, you can create a drink that’s both delicious and impressive.
    • Versatile: It’s a versatile drink that can be customized to suit your taste. You can adjust the sweetness and tartness of the drink by adding more or less simple syrup and lemon juice. You can also experiment with different types of rum or garnishes to give the drink a unique twist. 

    What is a Daiquiri?

    Even if you’ve had a daiquiri, you might be asking “what makes a daiquiri a daiquiri?” or “where did the daiquiri come from?”

    A traditional daiquiri is a cocktail made with rum, lime juice, and sugar or syrup. It is typically served shaken and strained into a cocktail glass. The sour and sweet drink originated in Cuba and is named after the village of Daiquiri, located near the city of Santiago de Cuba.

    The history of the daiquiri dates back to the late 1800s, when American engineers were working in the Sierra Maestro Mountains. As with most cocktails, there are a few variations in the Daiquiri’s origin story. One story goes that one of the engineers, Jennings Cox, is said to have invented the drink when he ran out of gin and had to improvise with local ingredients. He mixed together rum, lime juice, and sugar and served it to his friends. The drink soon became popular and was brought to the United States.

    Over the years, the classic daiquiri has been adapted in many different ways, including variations with fruit flavors and frozen versions. One of the most common variations is the Hemingway Daiquiri – made with the addition of grapefruit juice and maraschino liqueur. Despite its many iterations, the simple combination of rum, lime or lemon juice, and sugar remains a staple of the daiquiri’s enduring appeal.

    Ingredient Notes

    Ingredients for the cocktail spread out on a wood cutting board.
    • White rum is the traditional choice of rum used in a lemon daiquiri, as a clear and light rum allows the tangy citrus flavor of the lemon to shine through, while also providing a subtle kick of alcohol to balance out the sweetness of the sugar.
    • Lemon juice can be used in a daiquiri in place of lime juice to create a different flavor profile. Lemon juice has a brighter, more pronounced sourness than lime juice, which can make the daiquiri taste more tangy and refreshing. Fresh citrus juice is key to a good daiquiri, so use fresh over bottled whenever possible.
    • Simple syrup is used in this Lemon Daiquiri to balance the tartness of the lemon juice and add sweetness to the drink. For a floral twist on the Lemon Daiquiri, you can substitute a homemade elderflower syrup for a Lemon Elderflower Daiquiri twist.

    Make your own simple syrup: Combine equal parts granulated sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir the mixture until the sugar dissolves.

    Remove the saucepan from heat, let the syrup cool to room temperature, then transfer it to a clean bottle or jar and store it in the refrigerator for up 3 weeks.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    Steps 1 and 2 showing adding the white rum and lemon juice to the cocktail shaker.

    Step 1: Add white rum to an empty cocktail shaker. 

    Step 2: Add the lemon juice. 

    Steps 3 and 4 showing adding the simple syrup and shaking the cocktail shaker.

    Step 3: Add the simple syrup.

    Step 4: Add plenty of ice cubes to the shaker and shake until the cocktail until well chilled.

    Steps 5 and 6 showing straining the cocktail in a coupe glass and garnishing with a lemon slice.

    Step 5: Strain into a coupe glass or martini glass.

    Step 6: Garnish with a lemon wheel. 

    Lemon wheel garnishing the cocktail on the rim.

    FAQ and Tips

    What is the difference between a margarita and a daiquiri?

    The main difference between a margarita and a daiquiri is the type of alcohol and citrus juice used in the drink. Margaritas are made with tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur, while daiquiris are made with rum, lime or lemon juice, and sugar or syrup. 

    Margaritas tend to have a stronger and more complex flavor due to the addition of orange liqueur, while daiquiris have a simpler and more refreshing taste, with the sweet and sour flavors of the lime or lemon and sugar balancing the rum’s natural sweetness.

    Can you make a big batch of Lemon Daiquiris?

    Yes, you can make a big batch of lemon daiquiris in advance. However, keep in mind that the drink is best when it’s freshly made, so it’s important to store it properly and prepare it correctly. Measurements for a big batch are listed in the recipe notes below. Here are two tips for making a big batch of lemon daiquiris:

    Tip 1 – Mix the ingredients in a large pitcher: Combine the white rum, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup in a large pitcher and stir well to combine. You can adjust the ratios of the ingredients to taste, depending on how sweet or tart you want the drink to be.

    Tip 2 – Chill the mixture: Once the ingredients are mixed, chill the mixture in the refrigerator, ideally for at least an hour. This will allow the flavors to meld together and create a more cohesive taste.

    Can I make a batch of Lemon Daiquiris in advance?

    Yes. While Lemon Daiquiris will taste best fresh, you can make a batch of Lemon Daiquiris in advance. There are a few things to keep in mind to ensure the drink stays fresh and delicious. Here are two tips for making Lemon Daiquiris in advance:

    Tip 1 – For best taste, make your Lemon Daiquiri pitcher only up to 1 day in advance and store in an airtight container in the fridge. 

    Tip 2 – Keep in mind that ice will dilute the drink over time, so opt to chill the fridge in advance and/or serve on the rocks in the cocktail glass. If you’re outside, you can nestle the pitcher in a large bucket of ice to keep cool without dilution. 

    Lemon daiquiri on a wood cutting board with a bottle of rum and a green plant in the background.

    Related Recipes

    • Rum old fashioned with light shining through on a wood board.
      Spiced Dark Rum Old Fashioned Cocktail
    • Mojito on a round wooden cutting board with a bottle of sparkling wine and a lime half in the background.
      Mojito Royale Cocktail
    • Blue mojito sitting on a round cutting board with mint and a bottle of blue curacao on the side.
      Blue Curaçao Mojito
    • Top view of the strawberry limoncello cocktail with a lemon wheel for a garnish
      Strawberry Limoncello Margarita Cocktail Recipe

    Did you love this cocktail?
    Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating & review in the comments below.
    Reviews will help others find this recipe! 

    📖 Recipe

    Lemon daiquiri on a wood cutting board with a white vase in the background.

    Lemon Daiquiri

    Melissa
    Looking for a refreshing and zesty drink to brighten up your day? Look no further than a tantalizingly tart Lemon Daiquiri! With its tangy citrus flavor and crisp, cool finish, this classic cocktail is the perfect way to kick back and relax in style.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Drinks and Cocktails
    Cuisine Cuban
    Servings 1 cocktail

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 ounces white rum
    • 1 ounce lemon juice
    • ¾ ounce simple syrup
    • Lemon slice for garnish (optional)

    Instructions
     

    • Add the white rum, lemon juice, and simple syrup to an empty cocktail shaker. 
    • Add ice and shake until well chilled. 
    • Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon slice, if desired. 

    Notes

    For a batch of 8 Lemon Daiquiris:
    • 2 cups white rum
    • 1 cup lemon juice
    • ¾ cup simple syrup
    • Lemon slices for garnish, optional
    Instructions/tips for making a batch:
    • Mix the ingredients in a large pitcher: Combine the white rum, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup in a large pitcher and stir well to combine. You can adjust the ratios of the ingredients to taste, depending on how sweet or tart you want the drink to be.
    • Chill the mixture: Once the ingredients are mixed, chill the mixture in the refrigerator for at least an hour. This will allow the flavors to meld together and create a more cohesive taste.
    • For best taste, make your Lemon Daiquiri pitcher no more than 1 day in advance and keep in the fridge in an airtight container. 
    • Keep in mind that the ice will dilute the drink over time, so opt to chill the fridge in advance and/or serve on the rocks. If you’re outside, you can nestle the pitcher in a large bucket of ice to keep the cocktail cool without dilution. 
     
     
    CLICK TO DISPLAY NUTRITION INFO

    Nutrition

    Calories: 194kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 0.1gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 13mgPotassium: 44mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 2IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Don’t forget to follow along on social media for alerts on new recipes!
    You can catch me on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, and Facebook. 

    More Easy Drink and Cocktail Recipes

    • Moscow mule in a copper mug garnished with peaches.
      Peach Moscow Mule with Whipped Cream Vodka
    • Limoncello spritz cocktails in wine glasses with a cutting board of ingredients in the background.
      Limoncello Spritz
    • Enzoni cocktail on a pink surface with grapes and a lemon half.
      Enzoni Cocktail (Campari Gin Sour)
    • Pina colada mocktail in a glass goblet sitting on a round cutting board.
      Virgin Piña Colada Mocktail

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Melissa pouring a cocktail into a coupe glass.

    Hi, and welcome! 👋🏻 I’m Melissa, a RD with a Food Science degree living in Pittsburgh, PA. I love sharing all my favorite food and cocktail recipes right here.

    More about me →

    Photo collage of where A Grateful Meal has been featured including the Today Show, Women's Day, Yahoo!, Brit + Co., Redbook, and more.

    Trending Cocktail Recipes

    • Cherry whiskey sour on a wood board with cherries as a garnish.
      Best Cherry Whiskey Amaretto Sour Cocktail
    • Italian mule in a copper mug with ice spilling out onto a wood board and marble counter.
      Italian Mule Cocktail with Amaretto  
    • Blue mojito sitting on a round cutting board with mint and a bottle of blue curacao on the side.
      Blue Curaçao Mojito
    • Amaretto spritz on a wood surface with a bottle of amaretto and lemon halves in the background.
      Easy Amaretto Spritz Cocktail Recipe
    • Margarita on a wood surface garnished with a skewered lychee fruit.
      Lychee Margarita Cocktail Recipe
    • Strawberry martini on a pink surface with a lemon half in the background.
      Easy Strawberry Martini with Vodka
    • Aperol spritz sitting on a wood cutting board with a bottle of Aperol in the background.
      Aperol Spritz Recipe (for One or a Batch)
    • Blueberry martini on a pink surface with a bowl of blueberries and lemons in the background.
      Blueberry Martini

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Policies

    • Privacy Policy
    • HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
    • Content and Recipe Sharing Policy

    Connect

    • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Web Stories
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Facebook
    • YouTube

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    Disclaimer: Information on this website is meant for general use only and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent any disease or condition. Readers should consult their healthcare providers prior to making any changes to their lifestyle. The information contained in this site is intended to serve as general information and should be used in conjunction with advice from your healthcare team. It is not a substitute for medical treatment or therapy of any kind. All information contained in this site is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced without permission from the site owner.

    Copyright © 2026 Grateful Meal Nutrition

    • 36