Two Guys Walk Into A Bar and Order Daiquiris.

I read about a bar owner one time who claimed a simple interview process for potential employees.  He would simply say to the applicant “Go behind the bar and make me a Martini.”  If the applicant reached for a bottle of vodka, the interview was over.   Simply put, a Martini is gin and vermouth.  Nothing more, nothing less.    I’m not saying that a vodka martini is not a legitimate cocktail; just call it what it is.

The Daiquiri can cause similar confusions.   A Daiquiri is a Daiquiri.  A Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri is a Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri.    A Strawberry Daiquiri prepared with fresh strawberries is a delicious treat.  It is also a rare find.   Most bars, including my home bar, will use a strawberry syrup.  Frozen daiquiris made with this super sweet mixture are actually quite popular.   It must be the American sweet tooth at work.  Unfortunately such shortcuts take all creativity away the process.   If you want the real deal, try your hand (or challenge your bartender) at these two takes on the classic.

Originally posted at tikitender.com:

Much easier to make than it is to spell, the Classic Daiquiri can be a challenge to those who haven’t taken the time to learn the history of cocktails. “Created” in the early 1900′s, this classic cocktail is actually very similar to the grog that British sailors drank.

*Spoiler Alert!* A Daiquiri is NOT a frozen drink unless it is ordered as such.

The Classic Daiquiri, a favorite of John F. Kennedy & Ernest Hemingway, is believed to have been created near Santiago, Cuba.

Try these recipes:
Classic Daiquiri
8 parts white rum
2 parts lime juice
1 part simple syrup

Combine all ingredients in a shaker half-filled with ice. Shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Dream of the days when Cuba will be open for tourism.

Daiquiri Old Style
Fill a tall glass with cracked ice. Pour a teaspoon of sugar over the ice. Add the juice of one or two limes to taste. Yes, I mean freshly squeezed limes. Pour two or three ounces of rum over the ice. Stir with a long-handled spoon until the drink is thoroughly chilled. Enjoy.

Don’t even look at the blender.

As you can read, the Classic Daiquiri is a far cry from today’s processed  sugary mess.  Much like the the Classic Margarita which has given way to artificial sour mix rather than a squeeze of fresh lemon, the Daiquiri has become over-sized,  over-sugared, and over-priced.  I can not imagine Papa Hemingway waxing poetic about a noisy blender.

Mark Woods “aka” TikiTender is the principal bartender at the Golden Lion in Flagler Beach, FL. For more information about him, drink recipes, and general good times visit www.tikitender.com.

Remember to always spread Aloha and enjoy yourself a little bit every day. Mahalo nui loa!!!

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