Daiquiri cocktail recipe

The 80s blended strawberry daiquiri may put a few people off, but a REAL daiquiri should be shaken and zingy

The daiquiri is one of the most important classic cocktails as it really demonstrates the perfect balance between sweet and sour, strong and weak – the trick to a good cocktail!

Part of their charm is that they’re so easy to make - you just need some rum, some sugar, a fresh lime and some ice and you’re set. The 80s blended strawberry daiquiri may put a few people off and often they are just sweet, pink slushies, but a REAL daiquiri should be shaken, really tart and zingy - the rum should shine through. It's the perfect drink to really wake you up in the early evening.

Once you understand the daiquiri and what each component does, it opens the door to the vast majority of other cocktails, such as the mojito (a daiquiri on crushed ice with mint), the sour (use lemon instead of lime and add some bitters and an egg white) or even the Margarita (a daiquiri tequila instead of rum with orange liqueur instead of sugar!).

Glass: Martini

Garnish: Wedge of lime

50ml good quality white rum (El Dorado 3yo gives a great vanilla, butterscotch, coconut hint)

20-25ml of freshly squeezed lime juice,

2 spoons of icing sugar (or 10-15ml sugar syrup).

SHAKE hard with cubed ice. STRAIN into a pre-chilled martini glass.