Hemingway was a prolific writer and drink, but not much for the sweeter things. Spending time living in Cuba, he frequented the El Floridita where the Hemingway Daiquiri was reportedly created. This variation of a daiquiri eschews simple syrup for maraschino liquor and adds grapefruit juice. The result is a refreshing if drier drink that just might have you looking for a pen.
Hemingway Daiquiri
The Hemingway Daiquiri lets the rum shine, but ensembles the rest of the supporting cast in way that no one gets left out. The cherry and almond notes from the Luxardo bounce off the bittersweet grapefruit and the lime pops. The drink is complex and rich, but also leans into the drier side of the spectrum. The result is refreshing but boozy.
Drink Notes & Recommendations
The Hemingway Daiquiri is a simple and straightforward construction, so the tips are primarily related to the sweetness. Where a daiquiri is typically a proposition of balance between sweetness and acidity, the Hemingway is drier. The only sweetener here is the maraschino liqueur, so if you find the drink too dry, you might have to adjust with additional simple. As always, we recommend you start with the basic recipe and adjust accordingly from there.
- Rum – For lightly aged rums we recommend El Dorado 3, Plantation 3 Star, or Appleton Signature for a little extra funk. As the rum contributes a significant amount of character here, you’ll notice significant changes from rum to rum. For example, El Dorado 3 will emphasize more of the vanilla and cotton candy notes, where as Plantation 3 Star will contribute more tropical fruit notes. For a more complex experience, try splitting the 2 oz base between multiple rums.
- Maraschino Liqueur – Having recently shared a drink that features maraschino liqueur, I want to start by clarifying that this is the liqueur – not the syrup that the cherries are packed in. We use Luxardo for our which comes in a straw bottle. An example of a bottle for purchase is here at Astor Wine.
- Lime Juice – For best result – use fresh squeezed lime juice.
- Grapefruit Juice – Similar to limes, use fresh squeezed grapefruit juice for best results. Packaged grapefruit juices can have a bit of metallic taste, which may impact your cocktail. Be aware that due to variations in sweetness and variety (pink versus white, etc) – you may find the need to add additional simple to help address seasonal changes in grapefruits.