By Lee Bowden

It’s summertime and living is easy (when you have an ice-cold Daiquiri in hand)! As a bartender and craft cocktail connoisseur, I believe that summer is the best season to enjoy a citrusy classic cocktail. Be it by the pool, up on a rooftop bar, or simply out on your own back patio, a refreshing little beverage always hits the spot! 

I have had the classic Daiquiri on repeat this summer. Tart and fresh, with a little hint of sweetness, the classic daiquiri is made with great simplicity:

1. You need a good white rum. It doesn’t really matter what the brand is, but I like to search for rums made ethically and with little to no additives! 

2. Freshly squeezed lime juice is key for a delicious daiquiri, so leave that sour mix at the store. 

3. Don’t fret about buying simple syrup; you can always make your own! All you need to do is heat sugar and water on the stove. I prefer a 2:1 (sugar:water) ratio for a thicker syrup, but a 1:1 works just as well!

Shake all these ingredients up, then strain into a chilled glass, and feel free to add a cutesy little garnish – you’re the one drinking it, so you might as well have fun. Pro-tip: add a pinch of salt to your cocktail before shaking to really make those flavors POP!

If you’re looking for refreshers fit for the whole family, you can always leave out the rum and add in fresh fruit to spruce things up. Just muddle it fresh or blend it frozen to achieve that perfectly fruity flavor! My favorite combo has to be a frozen strawberry daiquiri blended with a bit of coconut milk to give it that fresh tropical vibe.