Bacardi Hand Shaken Daiquiri Contest at Tales of the Cocktail 2009

Classic cocktails are always in season, but they are getting more attention than ever before. Mixologists are shaking things up with specialty syrups, homemade bitters, locally grown ingredients and aged cocktails. Drinks are lavish, delicious and more grandiose than ever before. But the spectacular show and spice can leave the home bartender wondering how to duplicate equally delicious cocktails at home.

Bacardi takes us back to basics by reminding us to begin with simple ingredients. Bacardi reminds us of the original Hand Shaken Daiquiri. It has been around since the days of Pre-Prohibition. This modern day classic is refreshing without the need for blender, specialty ingredients or flair bartending skills.

According to Bacardi the Hand Shaken Daiquiri was first introduced in the small town of Daiquiri, Cuba in 1898 by a mining engineer with a little ingenuity. Jennings Stockton Cox received the same monthly allotment of Bacardi Rum as the other mining men, yet chose to experiment just as modern day mixologists do today. Jennings may have had different reasons for experimenting with Bacardi rum, limes and sugar than today’s bartenders, but the result became a classic – the Hand Shaken Daiquiri. The original Hand Shaken Daiquiri consists of fresh squeezed lime juice, sugar, crushed ice and what we now recognize as Bacardi Superior.

The Daiquiri’s popularity is due in part to its simplicity. The handful of ingredients are easy to find. It is fairly simple to make. And the drink is so delicious. Learn to measure the ingredients correctly and the Daiquiri is one of the most refreshing summer drinks available.

Bacardi Hand Shaken Daiquiri Recipe

Bacardi Daiquiri from Tour at Casa Bacardi Puerto Rico

Bacardi Hand Shaken Daiquiri

3 ounces Bacardi Superior Rum

1 ounce Lime or Lemon Juice

1/2 ounce Sugar

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass or pour into rocks glass.

Bacardi Hand Shaken Daiquiri Trivia

The Daiquiri was especially popular at Ernest Hemingway’s favorite cocktail
lounge, La Floridita, during Prohibition. Earnest Hemingway chose the Daiquiri as one of his favorites saying, “My mojito in La Bodeguita. My daiquiri in El Floridita.” There is a Hemingway Daiquiri or Papa Doble which is lower in sugar, using grapefruit juice. {creative commons use photograph}

July 19 is National Daiquiri Day. Sip the history and legendary taste of a modern day classic.