The British Royal Navy, like every armed force, loves rules and discipline. So in 1740, they issued a rule that every sailor be supplied with a daily ration of grog, which he had to consume. No exceptions! By 1795, the recipe for grog called for rum, water, lime or lemon juice, and sugar. What a splendid idea! You’ve got to love the British; with that act, not only did they cure and prevent scurvy, but they also ensured that the crews had something to look forward to every day on long voyages. It was so popular that it quickly spread across the whole Caribbean and South America. The origins of the Daiquiri itself are somewhat vague, but most clues lead to a bar in Santiago, Cuba, called Venus. Near that bar there is a beach called Daiquiri—hence the name. The drink itself was supposedly invented by an American engineer, Jennings Cox, general manager of the Spanish American Iron Company who while stationed in Cuba ran out of gin and turned to rum to entertain his guests. The original recipe is simply beautiful, relying on the freshness of the limes and the quality of the rum. It is an exercise in balancing sweet and sour while letting the light, grassy, earthy rum flavor carry through.

　　

Ingredients

makes 1 drink

　　2 1/2 ounces Flor de Caña four-year-old rum

　　1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice

　　3/4 ounce simple syrup (page 154)

　　1 lime wheel, for garnish

　　

Step 1

Pour the rum, juice, and syrup into a mixing glass. Add large cold ice cubes and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with the lime wheel.

　　

tasting notes

Step 2

Dominant Flavors: lime

　　

Step 3

Body: light, mouthwatering

　　

Step 4

Dryness: medium

　　

Step 5

Complexity: low

　　

Step 6

Accentuating or Contrasting Flavors: young sugarcane with sweet light molasses

　　

Step 7

Finish: short, snappy

　　

Step 8

Glass: cocktail

　　Reprinted with permission from Speakeasy: The Employees Only Guide to Classic Cocktails Reimagined by Jason Kosmas and Dushan Zaric, © 2010 Ten Speed Press. Buy the full book from Amazon or Bookshop.