Hemingway Daiquiri – A Beautiful Mess

The Hemingway Daiquiri was created, on request, for literary legend Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961) at Havana’s El Floridita bar. This bar was near where Hemingway lived for most of the 1930s. He asked for a drink without sugar and double the rum. This drink is also called the Papa Doble and the Hemingway Special.

While it technically doesn’t call for sugar, the maraschino liqueur sweetens the drink considerably. Made with white rum, maraschino liqueur, lime juice and grapefruit juice, this lightly sweet and balanced drink is one to try for your home bar.

Related: Classic Daiquiri, The Last Word, The Aviation, The Paper Plane, El Presidente.

Ingredients in a Hemingway Daiquiri

• White Rum – The recipe calls for white rum and you can
• Maraschcino Liqueur – This adds sweetness and balance to the drink.
• Lime Juice – It wouldn’t be a daiquiri without fresh lime juice. 
• Grapefruit Juice – Fresh grapefruit juice adds flavor and complexity to this recipe.

The best glassware choice for a Hemingway Daiquiri is a coupe glass.

How to Make

In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine white rum, maraschino liqueur, lime juice and grapefruit juice. Shake for 10-15 seconds until the drink is well chilled.

Strain and pour into a cocktail glass.

Garnish with a lime wheel.

Tips for Making

• Sugar – If you want to add sweetness, add some simple syrup. Begin with half an ounce and sweeten to taste.
• Citrus Variations – Try this recipe with key limes or lemons for a subtle twist.
• Chilled Cocktail Glass – Pop your coupe glass into the freezer for at least 30 minutes before serving for an extra luxe presentation.
• Garnish Ideas – Try a grapefruit peel or a luxardo cherry as a garnish idea.

History

The Hemingway Daiquiri was created, on request, by Ernest Hemingway at Havana’s El Floridita bar. This bar was near where Hemingway lived for most of the 1930s. The story goes that he stopped in to use the restroom and when he emerged, he noticed a man making daiquiris. Hemingway, who famously loved to day drink, asked for a drink without sugar and double the rum. The result was quite bitter and came to be named after Hemingway.

Ernest Hemingway famously said, “I drink to make other people more interesting,” and, “Any man who eats dessert is not drinking enough.” Hemingway claims the record for drinking the most double daiquiris in a day—16! We have to say, this may have been considered a cute story in the 1930s, but we don’t recommend over-consuming alcohol.

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