The Hemingway Special—often called a Hemingway Daiquiri—uses rum, grapefruit, lime and maraschino liqueur. It is drier and more citrus-forward than many modern Daiquiris, so careful balance matters.
Hemingway Special recipe
- 2 oz white or lightly aged rum
- 3/4 oz fresh grapefruit juice
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
- 1/4 oz maraschino liqueur
- Optional: a small amount of simple syrup to taste
Method
Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake until chilled, then double-strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with a lime wheel or grapefruit peel.
Choose the rum
A clean white rum keeps the drink crisp, while a lightly aged rum adds subtle body. Heavily spiced or very dark rum changes the cocktail’s intended profile.
Balance the acidity
Fresh grapefruit varies in sweetness. Taste the drink before adding syrup. The maraschino liqueur contributes sweetness and aroma, so a small quantity is usually enough.
Common fixes
- Too tart: add a small amount of syrup.
- Too sweet: add lime in tiny increments.
- Rum disappears: reduce grapefruit or increase the base slightly while keeping a responsible portion.
Serve responsibly
The drink can taste refreshing while containing a full spirit measure. Serve one measured cocktail at a time and provide water.
Explore the rum collection for an appropriate base. Fresh juice and controlled dilution matter as much as the bottle.
