Hemingway Daiquiri Cocktail

 

Hello, friends– Today, we’re exploring the tangy, bittersweet Hemingway Daiquiri, also known as the Papa Doble. Yes, it’s named after the famed writer, and yes, it’s a classic Daiquiri variation.

So, go grab your shakers, and let’s channel our inner angsty writer as we explore this complex cocktail that’s as bold and adventurous as the man it’s named after.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• Recipe Video
• History
• Ingredients
• Variations
• Our Variation
• Recipe

 

 

Mixing the Perfect Ernest Hemingway Daiquiri

Making this drink is pretty easy; the most complicated step is juicing the fruit. Check out how the video to see how to make the Hemingway Daiquiri, and make sure to grab the recipe for our own favorite variation:

 

The Origin Story: Hemingway Daiquiri Cocktail History

The Hemingway Daiquiri’s story begins in Havana, Cuba at the famous El Floridita cocktail bar. This establishment was a frequent haunt of Ernest Hemingway, the legendary writer known for his sparse prose and adventurous life.

In case you didn’t know, Hemingway isn’t just famous for his stories but also for his love of good, strong drinks. To put it very politely, he had quite the tumultuous love affair with alcohol, in part ruining his marriages and ultimately his health.

One not-so-dark tale of Hemingway’s drinking is that of this particular cocktail’s creation. While the original Daiquiri– one of the writer’s favorite drinks– was the beverage of choice for locals and American tourists in Havana, Hemingway’s version had its own twist— forgoing the raw sugar and doubling the rum, because, well, Hemingway.

 

 

Barman Constantino Ribalaigua, the legendary head bartender and proprietor of El Floridita, crafted this special version to suit Hemingway’s tastes, which favored the tart over the sweet. This now-classic cocktail also includes a touch of grapefruit juice (an addition made after its creation) and maraschino liqueur, offering layers of complexity to an otherwise pretty basic mixed drink.

Today, this refreshing drink holds great popularity in Key West, where Hemingway had a home and visited often. So if you’re out that way in Florida, make sure to take a tour of the Hemingway house, visit the many cats who reside there, and grab yourself this signature cocktail named after the infamous American writer.

 

What You’ll Need: Hemingway Daiquiri Ingredients

This excellent cocktail isn’t quite the same as a classic Daiquiri; some people refer to it as a Daiquiri without sugar, which isn’t quite accurate, as the sugar comes in the form of liqueur. Still, I find the addition of a bit of maraschino liqueur and grapefruit juice to bring a much-needed depth.

To recreate it at home, you’ll need the following:

• White Rum: The backbone of the drink, a good quality white rum brings a clean, often slightly tropical flavor. The original recipe called for Bacardi Carta Blanca, but of course, choose your personal favorite!
• Fresh Lime Juice: For that essential citrus zing, use lime juice to bring out the other flavors.
• Fresh Grapefruit Juice: This addition adds a lovely, bitter complexity.
• Maraschino Liqueur: This gives a hint of cherry sweetness, balancing the tartness of the lime and grapefruit.
• (Bonus: Lime for garnish)

 

A Twist on Tradition: Hemingway Daiquiri Variations

While the classic version is delicious on its own (and already a variation on the Floridita Daiquiri), we always value experimentation & depth in cocktails. Adjust the ratios to find your perfect balance of sour and sweet, change up the flavors, and make it your own perfect drink suited to your drinking habits. Here are some ideas to play with:

• Sweeten the Deal: While Hemingway himself apparently had a strong aversion to sugar in his drinks, some people find this classic rum cocktail just a bit too tart and prefer to add a bit of simple syrup to soften the edges.
• Muddle it Up: Muddle in a few maraschino cherries (or, even better, Luxardo cocktail cherries) for a deeper cherry flavor and a touch of extra sweetness. Or muddle pineapple, rosemary, or mint before making the cocktail– something to play off the tangy grapefruit.
• Change the Juice: Don’t like grapefruit? Use pineapple or pomegranate instead!
• Switch Out the Base Spirit: Smoky mezcal would be absolutely delicious in this drink, playing off the fruit juices and cherry liqueur for a really rich, unique mixed drink.
• Ice, Ice, Baby: Need something extra refreshing on a hot day? Try a frozen version instead!

 

Our Variation

While Hemingway preferred his Daiquiris sans white sugar, Rob, Chris, and I just found that the original falls a bit flat. It needs a little something to round it out, and the three of us spent some time in the bar playing with iterations on Rob’s already-awesome version, and we landed on this delicious version.

Well, let’s be honest: They did all the hard work of actually coming up with ingredients, and I happily taste-tested every iteration and gave feedback. And since the Hemingways Daiquiri is already a riff on a the traditional Daiquiri, we called it “our variation on the variation.”

This one brings more balance and depth than the traditional recipe; so while it’s a little weird, it’s really a more complete drink in our opinions.

 

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 ounces Aged Rum
• 3/4 ounce Roku Gin
• 1/2 ounce Maraschino Liqueur (Luxardo)
• 3/4 ounce Lime Juice (fresh)
• 1/2 ounce Grapefruit Juice (fresh)
• 1/2 ounce Kiwi Syrup, REÀL brand
• 1 drop Saline Solution

DIRECTIONS:

1. Combine all ingredients into a shaker tin, add ice, and give a good shake.
2. Double strain into a coupe glass.
3. Garnish with an expressed grapefruit twist.

 

Go Give it a Try: Make Your Own Hemingway Daiquiri

The Hemingway Daiquiri is one of my favorite cocktails for summer, offering a refreshing, slightly bitter flavor profile with a hint of maraschino for balance. I’m curious to hear how you like it and what you think of our variation. Leave us a comment below, and let’s raise a glass to ol’ Hemingway and this delicious, delightful cocktail he & Constantino Ribalaigua left behind for us to enjoy.