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Edinburgh Reporter

From Havana to Edinburgh: The Classic Daiquiri's Journey Through Time

The Daiquiri cocktail is a legendary drink that has come to be a favourite for many. But unlike other famous cocktails, there is less speculation and gossip about the Daiquiri's origins. This is probably because its genesis tale barely had time to slip through the cracks as it moved from a drunken late-night improvisation to a Beltway favourite in what seemed like fifteen minutes (actually closer to a decade, but hey, who's counting). Similar cocktail recipes have popped up in different eras and locations, making it difficult to pinpoint exactly when a drink was first made. In the case of the Daiquiri, however, a very evident sequence of events links its creation to its meteoric rise in popularity. And while its origins may be clear, they remain no less captivating. Photo by Aram Diseño: The Daiquiri's Wartime Origins The Daiquiri can be traced back to April 21, 1898, when the United States blockaded Cuba as part of its intervention in the Cuban War of Independence. Yes, indeed. It all began with a war. Theodore Roosevelt, who was the assistant secretary of the navy at the time, and his Rough Riders touched down on Daiquiri beach in southeast Cuba. After their successful campaign against the Spanish, the U.S. gained significant influence over Cuban affairs through the Platt Amendment, prompting a wave of American businesses to flood the region in pursuit of the economic opportunities left in Spain's wake. The quick influx of American capital into Cuban agricultural and mining projects attracted a large number of professionals, including engineers, farmers, and others. It was during this time that Jennings S. Cox, working as a mining engineer, stumbled into the drink's history by accident. Cox had people over for an excellent party at his house close to Daiquiri, but he ran out of gin. Heading to the nearby market, he sought for more, but unfortunately, he could only find rum. Cox, seemingly worried about his American visitors' sensitive palates, decided to mix the rum with sugar, lemon juice, and other ingredients to produce a punch. As a result, the first Daiquiri was born. Rum, however, has been watered down with sugar and citrus juice ever since its arrival in the Caribbean. This was mostly done to make it more drinkable, since it was essentially the 'bathroom booze' of its day. Not being a native, Cox was likely unaware of this idea; he simply added sugar and ice to a well-known local drink, gave it a new name, and inadvertently secured his place in the cocktail's history. From Cuba to America Rear Admiral Lucius W. Johnson, a medical officer in the United States Navy, met the Daiquiri in Cuba in 1909. He became so smitten with the beverage that upon his return to the US, he served it to his friends at the Army and Navy Club in Washington, D.C., where it became a hit. The Daiquiri didn't make its literary debut in America until 1920, in F. Scott Fitzgerald's This Side of Paradise, a delay largely due to the slower spread of word-of-mouth at the time. During his time in Havana, Ernest Hemingway became a fan of the drink, eventually inspiring his own version: the Hemingway Daiquiri, made with grapefruit juice, maraschino liqueur, and no sugar, since he suffered from diabetes. When the Kennedys started sailing about half a century later, it became their favourite beverage. The Daiquiri in Modern Times The Daiquiri's adaptability and refreshing flavour have kept it popular throughout the years. It can be found on cocktail lists all throughout the world, from exclusive nightclubs to laid-back beach bars. Many contemporary bartenders are reworking the traditional Daiquiri recipe, adding their own spin while paying honour to its roots. With artisanal rums and freshly squeezed juices, they are taking the cocktail to the next level, making it a beloved among cocktail enthusiasts. The Original Daiquiri Evolves There have been several versions of the Daiquiri, as is the case with most cocktails. A bartender at El Floridita in Old Havana, Constantino Ribailagua, came up with three variants of the recipe after it made its way from Daiquiri to Havana. To keep things organised, he numbered them, reserving #1 for the classic original. Daiquiri #2 The #2, which Constantino created in 1915 at El Floridita, consists of Bacardi Carta Blanca, Triple Sec Liqueur, lime juice, orange juice, syrup, and lime juice. The mild orange flavour adds a touch of summer and gives it a new twist. Daiquiri #3 With a little less sourness and alcohol intensity, Daiquiri #3 evokes thoughts of The Hemingway Daiquiri, also known as Papa Doble. It contains Bacardi Gold, lime juice, simple syrup, grapefruit juice, and maraschino liqueur in moderate amounts. Since this cocktail was probably around when Hemingway came to Cuba, Constantino most likely found it a good starting point when creating a version tailored to the writer's tastes. Daiquiri #4 This version is comparable to #3 but without the grapefruit's sourness. For those who like a milder combination of sweet and sour tastes, this straightforward recipe is ideal. It combines Bacardi Gold, maraschino liqueur, lime juice, chilled water, and simple syrup. Traditional Daiquiri Recipe Ingredients 2 oz (60ml) White Rum 3/4 oz (20ml) simple syrup 1 oz (30ml) freshly squeezed lime juice Lime wheel Preparation and Serving Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice and add all the ingredients. Give it a quick shake for 20 to 30 seconds. Pour the concoction into a cocktail glass after straining. Toss in a lime wheel or twist for garnish, if you want. Why Shake? The recipe calls for the drink to be shaken, and for good reason. Shaking chills the cocktail while allowing the ice to slightly dilute it, adding volume and enhancing the overall flavour. More importantly, citrus juices like lime don't easily blend when simply stirred, so shaking ensures a smoother, well-integrated drink. Conclusion The Daiquiri's meteoric rise to fame from its humble beginnings in a Cuban village is proof of its timeless allure. Whether you like it straight up or with a contemporary touch, this drink has an air of understated elegance. Therefore, when drinking a Daiquiri, pause and think about the many cultures that go into making it. Like this: Like Related