Classic Hemingway Daiquiri With Grapefruit and Maraschino

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Fresh lime and grapefruit create a crisp, bright, citrus-forward flavor.
• Maraschino liqueur adds subtle cherry and almond complexity without making the drink overly sweet.
• It requires only four liquid ingredients and comes together in minutes.
• A vigorous shake gives the cocktail a silky texture and an elegant, lightly frosted appearance.

Grocery List

• Produce: 1 fresh lime and 1 small pink or ruby-red grapefruit
• Dairy: None
• Pantry: 2 fluid ounces white rum, 1/2 fluid ounce maraschino liqueur, and 1 1/2 cups ice cubes

Full Ingredients

For the Cocktail

• 2 fluid ounces (60 milliliters) white rum, preferably a clean, dry Cuban-style or lightly aged white rum
• 3/4 fluid ounce (22 milliliters) fresh lime juice, strained to remove seeds and excess pulp
• 1/2 fluid ounce (15 milliliters) fresh pink or ruby-red grapefruit juice, strained
• 1/2 fluid ounce (15 milliliters) maraschino liqueur

For Shaking and Garnishing

• 1 1/2 cups ice cubes, preferably firm, fresh cubes rather than partially melted ice
• 1 strip grapefruit peel, approximately 3 inches long and 1 inch wide, with minimal white pith

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Chill the serving glass

Place a coupe or Nick and Nora glass in a freezer set to 0°F (-18°C) for 10 minutes. A thoroughly chilled glass keeps the daiquiri cold without adding extra dilution after it has been strained.

Step 2: Prepare the citrus

While the glass chills, squeeze the lime and grapefruit. Measure exactly 3/4 fluid ounce (22 milliliters) lime juice and 1/2 fluid ounce (15 milliliters) grapefruit juice. Pass both juices through a fine-mesh strainer to remove seeds and coarse pulp, which helps produce a more polished cocktail.

Step 3: Measure the spirits

Pour 2 fluid ounces (60 milliliters) white rum and 1/2 fluid ounce (15 milliliters) maraschino liqueur into a cocktail shaker. Add the measured lime and grapefruit juices. Measure the maraschino liqueur carefully because its distinctive cherry-almond flavor can quickly dominate the citrus.

Step 4: Add ice and shake

Add 1 1/2 cups ice cubes to the shaker. Seal tightly and shake vigorously for 15 seconds, moving the shaker over your shoulder with a firm back-and-forth motion. The shaker should feel frosty, and the cocktail should reach approximately 28 to 32°F (-2 to 0°C).

Step 5: Double-strain the cocktail

Remove the chilled glass from the freezer. Pour the cocktail through the shaker’s strainer and a small fine-mesh strainer into the glass. Double-straining catches fine ice chips and citrus pulp, giving the drink a smooth texture and refined appearance.

Step 6: Garnish and serve

Hold the grapefruit peel over the surface with the colorful side facing down. Pinch it firmly to release the aromatic citrus oils across the drink, then gently rub the peel around the rim. Curl or twist the peel and place it on the rim or drop it into the glass. Serve immediately while the daiquiri is at its coldest.

Pro Tips

• Use freshly squeezed citrus: Bottled juice often tastes flat or harsh and will not provide the same fresh aroma.
• Choose a balanced white rum: A dry, lightly fruity rum lets the grapefruit, lime, and maraschino remain distinct.
• Measure the maraschino precisely: It is potent and aromatic, so even a small extra pour can overwhelm the drink.
• Shake with firm ice: Fresh, dense cubes chill the cocktail while controlling dilution better than wet or cracked ice.
• Serve without ice: A Hemingway Daiquiri is traditionally served straight up in a chilled stemmed glass.

Variations

• Slightly softer and sweeter: Add 1/4 fluid ounce (7 milliliters) of 1:1 simple syrup before shaking. This is helpful if the grapefruit or lime is especially tart.
• Extra grapefruit-forward: Increase the grapefruit juice to 3/4 fluid ounce (22 milliliters) and reduce the lime juice to 1/2 fluid ounce (15 milliliters).
• Frozen Hemingway Daiquiri: Blend the liquid ingredients with 1 cup crushed ice for 20 to 30 seconds, until smooth, then pour into a chilled coupe or small cocktail glass.

Storage & Make-Ahead

This cocktail is best shaken and served immediately. For advance preparation, combine the rum and maraschino liqueur in a sealed container and refrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or colder for up to 24 hours. Squeeze and refrigerate the lime and grapefruit juices separately in airtight containers for no more than 4 hours for the freshest flavor. Combine the chilled ingredients with ice and shake just before serving. When making several cocktails, multiply the liquid ingredients as needed, but shake no more than two servings at a time so the shaker has enough room to chill and aerate the drink properly.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 193 kcal | Carbs: 10g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 8g | Sodium: 2mg | Cholesterol: 0mg