Riffs & variations
Riffs & variations

Riffs & variations image 1

Riffs & variations

Words by Simon Difford

Classically, the Daiquiri is a simple three-ingredient cocktail: rum (spirit), lime (sour), sugar (sweet), and water (dilution) presented in perfect harmony. But this simplicity makes it easy to modify by swapping the sweet element, the sour element, using different rums, and/or adding another adding another spirit altogether.
Banana Daiquiri (shaken) image

Banana Daiquiri (shaken)

Perhaps better named a Sour Banoffee Daiquiri – what's not to like?
Bella Donna Daiquiri image

Bella Donna Daiquiri

Back in 2003, this was the hit cocktail for Difford's Guide staff at the Bellagio, Las Vegas, after working at the Nightclub and Bar Beverage Convention.
Cardamom Daiquiri image

Cardamom Daiquiri

A charcoal-filtered light rum works best as more full-bodied rums simply don't sit well with the cardamon. Hit the right balance with the right rum and
Chiclet Daiquiri image

Chiclet Daiquiri

A wonderfully refreshing drink on a summer's day with surprisingly subtle flavours.
Florida Daiquiri image

Florida Daiquiri

This classic blend of rum, lime and sugar, but with a hint of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice and maraschino. A user-friendly version of a Hemingway
Melba Cocktail image

Melba Cocktail

This would be better named, Melba Daiquiri, as it is a Swedish punsch, absinthe, and grenadine influenced Daiquiri. I've dramatically changed the equal
Passion Fruit Daiquiri image

Passion Fruit Daiquiri

The rum character comes through in this tropically fruity cocktail.
Triple Daiquiri image

Triple Daiquiri

Cachaça (not slickly speaking a rum) adds distinctive grassy notes to this three 'rum' Daiquiri. Try swapping out the cachaça for rhum agricole and indeed
Christmas Daiquiri image

Christmas Daiquiri

Fruit,y rum-laced, cleansing citrus with delicate Christmassy spice.
Black Daiquiri image

Black Daiquiri

More deep golden amber than black in appearance, this Daquiri takes its name from the black rum (well, dark brown rum) it's made with. Pungent rum notes
Four W Daiquiri image

Four W Daiquiri

The oomph of rum, the sourness of grapefruit and the richness of maple syrup, all aromatised by bitters.
Islay Daiquiri image

Islay Daiquiri

An aged rum Daiquiri with smoky peated whisky mellowed by rich honey.
Nuclear Daiquiri image

Nuclear Daiquiri

A great way to inflict mutually assured destruction, although there will be fallout the morning after.
Daiquiri Elixir image

Daiquiri Elixir

Freshly pressed sugar cane syrup and the French elixir, Chartreuse, add complexity to the classic Daiquiri.
Dry Daiquiri image

Dry Daiquiri

Passion fruit syrup is powerful stuff and its fruity richness greatly enhances and balances this bittersweet cocktail.
French Daiquiri image

French Daiquiri

A classic Daiquiri made fruity with the addition of black raspberry liqueur and pineapple juice.
Honey Daiquiri image

Honey Daiquiri

Rich flavoursome honey replaces sugar syrup in this natural Daiquiri. Try experimenting with different kinds of honey. We favour orange blossom honey.
Aged Honey Daiquiri image

Aged Honey Daiquiri

Rich, flavoursome honey replaces sugar syrup in this delicious Daiquiri. The fuller the honey, perhaps the bigger the rum.
More Supreme Daiquiri image

More Supreme Daiquiri

The grassy oaky favours of aged rhum agricole sit well with the fresh lime and bittersweet liqueur.
Santa Marta Daiquiri image

Santa Marta Daiquiri

A float of Kirsch eau-de-vie adds wonderfully fruity aromatics to an otherwise classic Natural Daiquiri.
Witches' Daiquiri image

Witches' Daiquiri

Aniseed, sweet almond and delicate spice subtly influence this tasty Daiquiri.
Daiquiri Sour image

Daiquiri Sour

Flavoursome and sweet 'n' sour with an almost creamy mouthfeel.
Honeysuckle Daiquiri image

Honeysuckle Daiquiri

A Daiquiri made with flavoursome honey in place of sugar, or a Bee's Knees with rum in place of gin. However you view this, it's damn tasty.
Nuclear Banana Daiquiri image

Nuclear Banana Daiquiri

To quote our friends at Hawksmoor, where we discovered this delicious and indulgent cocktail, Our take on a drink that doesn't take itself too seriously
Pineapple Daiquiri (Difford's recipe) image

Pineapple Daiquiri (Difford's recipe)

Tangy pineapple fruit laced with characterful rums. Yumm!
Royal Bermuda Yacht Club image

Royal Bermuda Yacht Club

A full-flavoured, tangy Daiquiri with faint clove spice.
Across the Pacific image

Across the Pacific

Tiki meets the aperitivo/digestivo in this sweet 'n' sour almond daiquiri. Like other daiquiris, this cocktail benefits from dilution, hence its serving
Daiquiri Cocktail image

Daiquiri Cocktail

Crisp, light and refreshing. Delicately simple yet with perfectly balanced complexity of flavours. For an even better Daiquiri: In place of sugar syrup,
Daiquiri (frozen) image

Daiquiri (frozen)

A superbly refreshing cocktail on a hot day. Blend with too much ice and you will have a tasteless slushy drink that will give you brain-ache if you drink
Daiquiri Frappé image

Daiquiri Frappé

Not to be confused with a Frozen Daiquiri, which is blended with crushed ice, a Daiquiri served frappé is shaken with cubed ice and then strained over
Daiquiri (on-the-rocks) image

Daiquiri (on-the-rocks)

Light and refreshing. No one flavour predominates - sweet and sour are in harmony with the rum.
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