National Daiquiri Day
Embark on a flavorful journey with delightful concoctions that bring a tropical vibe to any gathering and a smile to the lips.
Need a way to cool off? Why not celebrate National Daiquiri Day. In a world of stress and difficulty, sometimes a refreshing alcoholic beverage with a fruity twist is exactly what is needed!
History of National Daiquiri Day
Some people may be surprised to discover that Daiquiri is one of the oldest known cocktails! This refreshing drink was mostly invented in 1898 in the small mining town of Daiquiri near Santiago, Cuba, where an American engineer named Jennings Stockton Cox created a simple drink called a Daiquiri.
Cox came up with this concoction in an effort to cool down during the long, hot weeks of summer, using a simple blend of lime juice, sugar and local Bacardi rum, over cracked ice. He quickly discovered that this was the best way to boost the morale of mine workers during the hot months of grueling work.
Such was the success of Cox’s drink, not only did he receive a generous stipend from the company he worked for, but he also received a monthly gallon of Bacardi to continue supplying the refreshing drink!
From there, the story goes that the drink became even more popular when, in 1909, a US Navy officer tried the drink and loved it so much that he took the idea back with him to Washington D.C. where it became even more popular.
While it probably didn’t start out with a little cocktail umbrella when it was refreshing the workers in the mines, it certainly deserves one now!
National Daiquiri Day is the perfect time in the middle of the hot summer to enjoy and celebrate all things related to this refreshing alcoholic beverage.
How to Celebrate National Daiquiri Day
Celebrating National Daiquiri Day can be loads of fun whether at home or going out. Try these ideas:
Go Out for a Daiquiri with Friends
Head out to a local bar or restaurant with friends and have the bartender whip up a special drink for National Daiquiri Day! Maybe they’ll even have drink specials on offer, or a unique happy hour offer in celebration of National Daiquiri Day.
Learn to Make Daiquiris at Home
The classic daiquiri requires only the most basic of ingredients: Rum, lime juice, and standard simple syrup. It’s easy to make by either simply pouring the liquid over the ice and shaking and then serving neat, or by blending it with the ice. Either way, garnish with a lime wedge for color and taste.
Try Different Versions of Daiquiris
For those who have only tried a plain, standard daiquiri, the world is about to get a little bigger! Try these different flavors for fun and adventure:
- Strawberry Daiquiri. One of the most common and popular daiquiris to be found on menus in restaurants and bars, the sweetness of the strawberries counteract the tartness of the lime juice in a delicious, satisfying way.
- Mango Coconut Daiquiri. This blended drink uses fresh mango, lime juice, and coconut rum blended together. Top with whipping cream infused with coconut cream and sugar.
- Hemingway Daiquiri. Named after the American writer, this daiquiri contains the usual rum and lime juices, plus grapefruit juice and a bit of maraschino liqueur.
Share Fun Facts About Daiquiris
For people who want to impress their friends with ridiculous trivial facts about National Daiquiri Day, try these out:
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Both Ernest Hemingway and President John F. Kennedy were particular fans of the daiquiri.
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This drink became very popular in the 1940s when, due to wartime rationing, vodka and whiskey became difficult to come by. At the time, rum was easier to get due to President Roosevelt’s Good Neighbor policy that opened up trade with Cuba, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
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The Daiquiri is one of only six basic drinks listed in The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks by David A. Embury.
