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!
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.
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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
- 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
Step 1: Add white rum to an empty cocktail shaker.
Step 2: Add the lemon juice.
Step 3: Add the simple syrup.
Step 4: Add plenty of ice cubes to the shaker and shake until the cocktail until well chilled.
Step 5: Strain into a coupe glass or martini glass.
Step 6: Garnish with a lemon wheel.
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.
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Lemon Daiquiri
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
- 2 cups white rum
- 1 cup lemon juice
- ¾ cup simple syrup
- Lemon slices for garnish, optional
- 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.
Nutrition
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