The Hemingway Daiquiri, a favorite cocktail of Ernest Hemingway is bright and citrusy, with rum and luxardo. Originated to his tastes at the bar El Floridita in Cuba, now you can make them at home!
Have you ever been asked that question about picking 3 people to be at a dinner party, figures dead or alive? Maya Angelou has always been on my list, but I’d love to have Ernest Hemingway there too. He lived life large and hard from what I gather.
A prolific Nobel Prize winning novelist, he palled around with the bohemians of 1920’s Paris such as Pablo Picasso, F. Scott Fitzgerald, James Joyce and other artistic luminaries of the time. They were all probably struggling then while drinking absinthe together but found fame later in their careers or after their deaths.
Hemingway was a big game hunter in Africa, loved bullfighting in Spain and deep-sea fishing in Florida where he lived beginning in the late 1920’s. On the tail end of a business trip to Florida years ago, I hopped down to Key West for the weekend. The Hemingway House was open for tours and I gladly went along.
I don’t recall many specifics other than that feel of the house, dark woods with an exotic tropical sensibility, was what I imagined his life to feel like. The property was full of decedents of a 6 toed cat he had that passed the trait down to its ancestors, hundreds of them it seemed, all of which would prowl and pounce unexpectedly throughout the tour.
This all brings me to the Hemingway Daiquiri. A cocktail dripping with lore. Some say it was Hemingway’s favorite, and he’d readily down a dozen in a sitting. Apparently created his favorite watering hole in Cuba, El Floridita, the original recipe emerged after much experimentation with versions of the daiquiri.
What IS a Hemingway Daiquiri?
Unlike the overly sweet, blender vacation drink of the here and now, the Hemingway Daiquiri is to the point. White rum, fresh citrus juices and a bit of Luxardo, a maraschino liqueur (think of the unique flavor in Maraschino Cherries).
What Does a Hemingway Daiquiri Taste Like?
It’s fresh yet not flirtatious. A touch of sweetness with a clean finish. I can’t imagine putting down a dozen in a sitting but one or two will remind you of the origins of cocktails; a more sophisticated pleasure, not sweetened with a purpose of tricking one into thinking they are child’s play. The Hemingway Daiquiri is a cocktail of a bygone era….which must mean it’s poised to spring back into vogue momentarily!
More Vintage Cocktail recipes You’ll Love:
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The Hemingway Daiquiri
Ingredients
- 2 ounces White Rum (Cuban if you have it!)
- ¾ ounce fresh Lime Juice
- ½ ounce fresh Grapefruit Juice
- ½ ounce Luxardo liqueur
- Garnish: Lime slice
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a shaker with a handful of ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with lime slice.
Kiwi says
January 15, 2016 at 5:12 pmWhat a nice classy drink! Looks delicious!
Barbie's Beauty Bits says
January 14, 2016 at 7:46 pmRum, yum! This drink sounds really good, I am going to make one of these soon!
vanessa: BriteandBubbly says
January 14, 2016 at 5:53 pmI love a fabulous new drink recipe and this one sounds amazing. I’m definitely going to give it a try!
Debbie L. says
January 14, 2016 at 3:28 pmThis looks very very tasty. Refreshing I will be giving this a try!
April at Kentucky at Heart says
January 14, 2016 at 3:26 pmThis cocktail looks so refreshing! I love drinks that are not overly sweet. Sounds like something I need to try asap!
Candy O says
January 14, 2016 at 2:15 pmI loved seeing his cats on the property in Key West. The six toed cats! I’d love to try this drink! Thanks for sharing!
Toni Dash says
January 14, 2016 at 2:20 pmSo you know what I’m talking about both with the six toed cats but the throngs of cats! How fun.
Kelly Hutchinson says
January 14, 2016 at 1:25 pmI saw a documentary about Hemingway and it was so fascinating. I really enjoyed learning about him. This drink sounds so refreshing!
Seattle Travel Blogger says
January 14, 2016 at 8:04 amThis drink looks delicious and I bookmarked this site for my husband.
He used to bartend and think he would be interested in it.
Nicole Escat says
January 14, 2016 at 5:54 amThis is interesting, I’ve never tried this Hemingway Daiquiri Cocktail, I’m gonna try it I’m sure my friends would love it.
Chasing Joy says
January 13, 2016 at 10:02 pmI’ve never heard of the Hemingway daiquiri. I’m a fan of grapefruit juice so I’d like to try it.
Liz Mays says
January 13, 2016 at 6:25 pmWow, I’d be happy to sip on this refreshing cocktail. Those flavors sound like they’re perfect together.
Marcie W. says
January 13, 2016 at 6:01 pmI really want to try Luxardo, as I love maraschino cherries. This cocktail sounds delicious and it totally makes me think of sunshine and summer.
Donna says
January 13, 2016 at 5:51 pmWhile this drink sounds good, I have to say that it looks even better. I will have to give it a try.
Kecia says
January 13, 2016 at 5:35 pmI would like to try a Hemingway daiquiri! I think he would have been a very interesting man to meet too.
Lindsey @ Redhead Baby Mama says
January 13, 2016 at 1:57 pmDelicious sounding drink aside, that glass is BEAUTIFUL! Is it real crystal? I would love a cocktail hour with those!
Toni Dash says
January 13, 2016 at 2:46 pmGood eye! I love glasses too. It IS real, and very heavy. A friend gave us two as a wedding gift. My guess is they are antique. And perfect for this cocktail!
Pam says
January 13, 2016 at 12:29 pmI have never had a Hemingway Daquiri before. It would be perfect to serve at a boozy book club.
Toni Dash says
January 13, 2016 at 2:46 pmEspecially if you were reading Hemingway!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
January 13, 2016 at 9:56 amThat sounds delicious. Daicquiris are my favorite drink. They are delicious, and they make you feel so classy. LOL
Jody Arsenault says
January 13, 2016 at 9:50 amI do not drink, but I imagine my friend would love this. The photos sure make it look delicious.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
January 13, 2016 at 8:16 amYes! I definitely want to try this. It sounds perfect for a girls night in!