Close your eyes. And imagine a roof-top bar.
It’s evening. Outside, below you, are the city lights, twinkling through the warm summer air. You’re standing on a balcony, so you feel the gentle breeze brushing against your face. And you can smell the delicious aromas of grilled fish, sweet vegetables, and the light smoke of glowing charcoal.
A gentleman in a tuxedo is sitting in front of the piano. And, to his left, is a lady in a dark scarlet cocktail dress. They are playing together.
The music is soft. Piano jazz.
This is how elegant people used to spend their evenings, back in the days before television — and it is a vibe that you can recreate in your own home, anytime you have friends over (or simply yearn for something different).
How?
By preparing a daiquiri for yourself and your guests.
This cocktail is considered a classic. It is said to be Ernest Hemingway’s favorite drink. Elegant, yet deceptively simple. Perfect for a warm evening.
What you’ll need:
Rum; 3-4 fresh limes; simple syrup; and ice cubes.
Here’s how you make it:
- Gather the ingredients above, fetch a cocktail shaker, and put on some soft piano jazz (i.e. “elevator music”). It will help create the mood.
- Squeeze the juice from the limes.
- Pour 6 parts of rum, 3 parts lime juice, and 1 part simple syrup (for a total of 10 parts) into the cocktail shaker. Pour in the ice cubes too.
- Shake well for about 10-20 seconds.
- Pour it into a chilled glass.
- Voilà!
Serving tip:
As I mentioned above, the daiquiri is a classy, elegant drink. As such, the savoir-faire know that, as a chilled drink that is served without ice, it should be presented in a martini or margarita glass so that its sweet, refreshing liquid is kept safely away from warm hands. (Our Aurora Martini Glass is perfect, though, unfortunately, it is currently out of stock, and will be for a while.)
Enjoy!
And, as always, I would love to see a photo of your finished daiquiri.
Slàinte Mhath!
