March 29, 2022

Hemingway Daiquiri

Article by:

Photos by:

article & photos by:

Allie Albanese

Article by:

Photos by:

article & photos by:

Allie Albanese

A brief look at the Hemingway Daiquiri history, the story of who invented this famous classic cocktail and where, and how the Hemingway Daiquiri recipe has evolved since it was first created.

A very pale yellow cocktail displayed in a vintage coupe glass, garnished with a lime wheel, and sitting between several stacks of old books with a small cactus plant in the background

I admit it. I’m in a Gin and Bourbon rut.

They are my two favorite spirits and I always have them in my house, so I make a lot of drinks with one or the other.

But it’s a new season, so it’s time for some new things! And Rum is what I’m feeling at the moment. Since I still have a few of my precious St. Simons grapefruits left to enjoy, it was a no brainer to start my Rum escapades with a classic Hemingway Daiquiri!

Originally called the Papa Doble, the Hemingway Daiquiri is named after – you guessed it – writer Ernest Hemingway. As the story goes, Hemingway was strolling the streets of Havana and needed a bathroom. So he popped into El Floridita Bar to use the loo, and never being one to pass up a drink, asked for a sip of a Daiquiri that was sitting on the bar. His verdict? “That’s good, but I’d prefer it without the sugar and double the Rum.” So Bartender Constantino Ribalaigua Vert (known locally as El Rey de los Coteleros, or the Cocktail King of Cuba) mixed one up to Hemingway’s specifications and the Papa Doble was born! It became one of Hemingway’s favorite tipples, which he was known to slurp down by the dozens. In fact, it’s rumored that he once drank 17 in a single day and didn’t even get a hangover!

The version of this famous drink best known today resembles the E. Hemingway Special, which still follows Hemingway’s strict no sugar rule, but has less booze than the original and the addition of Maraschino Liqueur. However, modern day versions of the Hemingway Daiquiri recipe often include a bit of simple syrup, which despite my penchant for tart cocktails, I admittedly prefer in this particular drink!

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Headshot of Allie Albanese

A writer and photographer, Allie Albanese is the founder and curator of Parched Around the World. Here she seeks to tell stories about the intersection of food, drinks, cultures, and traditions in places near and far.

As the Beverage Director and Head Bartender of a high-volume cocktail bar, Allie spent years honing her mixology skills and learning about the fascinating world of drinks. In the time since, she's worked as a wine and cocktail consultant for both private and corporate clients, as well as a freelance journalist writing about cocktails, wine, food, and travel for various publications across the United States and abroad.

When mixing a drink for herself, you’ll likely find Allie with a fresh Gin Gimlet or a spicy Old Fashioned in hand!

Disclosure: Articles throughout Parched Around the World may contain affiliate links, which means if you purchase something using one of them, I may earn a small commission for sharing items I personally use and love. This comes at no cost to you, but helps support Parched and allows me to keep this website running! For more information, please see my full Privacy Policy.

A pale yellow cocktail displayed in a vintage coupe glass, garnished with a lime wheel

Hemingway Daiquiri

A brief look at the Hemingway Daiquiri history, the story of who invented this famous classic cocktail and where, and how the Hemingway Daiquiri recipe has evolved since it was first created.

Yields:

1 Drink

Ingredients:

2 oz White Rum

½ oz Maraschino Liqueur

¾ oz Lime Juice

½ oz Grapefruit Juice

¼ oz Simple Syrup (optional)

Garnish:Lime Wheel

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake until super cold. Strain into a glass of your choice and garnish with a lime wheel.

A pale yellow cocktail displayed in a vintage coupe glass, garnished with a lime wheel

Hemingway Daiquiri

A brief look at the Hemingway Daiquiri history, the story of who invented this famous classic cocktail and where, and how the Hemingway Daiquiri recipe has evolved since it was first created.

Yields:

1 Drink

Ingredients:

2 oz White Rum

½ oz Maraschino Liqueur

¾ oz Lime Juice

½ oz Grapefruit Juice

¼ oz Simple Syrup (optional)

Garnish:Lime Wheel

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake until super cold. Strain into a glass of your choice and garnish with a lime wheel.

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