Best Daiquiri Toast Off

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Recounting the Tale

The original Daiquiri is believed to have been created in the late 19th century in Cuba. The story goes that it was concocted by an American mining engineer named Jennings Cox, who was stationed near the town of Daiquiri. Legend has it that Cox ran out of gin while entertaining guests, so he improvised a cocktail using the ingredients he had on hand – namely, white rum, lime juice, and sugar.the Tale

The Toast Off

Methodology

How it was executed.

  • 14 tasters
  • 8 daiquiri recipes
  • All cocktails were made within minutes of each other to allow for side by side tastings, since cocktails can change dramatically over time (as things like temperature and dilution change)
  • All cocktails were shaken and strained
  • All cocktails were served in identical glassware and without garnish
  • Each taster ranked each cocktail in order from 1-8 (worst to best) for overall flavor, with additional tasting notes on each
  • All cocktails were measured strictly according to the recipe instructions but omitted any garnish or ice serving instructions as to keep these as identical in appearance as possible

Ingredients

Everything we used to craft the menu.

  • Flor de Caña Extra Seco 4 Year White Rum
  • Flor de Caña 18 Year Rum
  • Ron Matusalem Gran Reserva 15 Rum
  • Appleton Estate Signature Jamaican Rum
  • Barbancourt Rhum Agricole
  • Ritual Zero Proof Non-Alcoholic Rum
  • Lime Juice
  • Simple Syrup
  • Rich Cane Syrup
  • Rich Demerara Syrup
  • Agave Syrup
  • Habanero Tincture

Selection

How we curated the lineup.

  • Death and Co – Dave’s: Selected to explore another dark rum variation from one of the best bartenders at Death and Co, providing a contrast to Dan’s recipe.
  • Punch / Pietro Collina: Chosen as the winner of a blind tasting of 20 daiquiris from top bartenders in NYC, ensuring a high-quality representation of the classic cocktail.
  • TheEducatedBarfly: Included to test the addition of grapefruit peel, dubbed a “regal daiquiri,” in a blind comparison against the Punch winner.
  • Toasty Bird Original: Added to experiment with a version featuring grassy and earthy notes, offering a unique twist on the classic daiquiri.
  • Dan’s Dark Daiquiri: Included due to its popularity among tasters and its use of agave syrup, providing a distinct flavor profile compared to other dark variations.
  • Reddit / Workingonmyroar15: Chosen to showcase a Jamaican pot and column still blend rum, acclaimed as the winner by a group of daiquiri enthusiasts on Reddit.
  • ChatGPT (N/A): Included after discovering a well-balanced non-alcoholic recipe through conversation with an AI, ensuring representation for guests who prefer non-alcoholic options.
  • IBA: Included as the standard daiquiri recipe, providing a benchmark for comparison against the other variations.

The Toast

What was said before we sipped.

“My first experience of the daiquiri was a drive through bar in Lafayette Louisiana called, The Daiquiri Hut. When the open container law was passed in Louisiana, their solution was to duct tape the lids to the cups. But the classic daiquiri is really an exercise in simplicity, right? We can contemplate the daiquiri and it really kind of tells us things. It’s got just three ingredients. So it’s an exercise in simplicity, unless you’re Earnest Hemmingway, ironically… So I think it just tells us that the good things in life can be simple. We don’t have to over-complicate things. Keep it simple. So here’s a toast to the simple things and toast to our hosts!
Dan Kamas

Results

And finally, what we thought about each.

Winner: Death and Co – Dave’s

2 ounces of Matusalem Gran Reserva 15-year Rum
1 ounce of lime juice
0.75 ounce of simple syrup

Love OR Hate: ChatGPT Zero Proof

2 ounces of ritual rum
1 ounce of lime juice
0.75 ounce of rich cane syrup
2 dashes of habanero tincture

Full Rankings

8. Best for Lime Enthusiasts: IBA Daiquiri

Ingredients:

  • 2.03 ounces (60 ml) White Cuban Ron
  • 0.68 ounce (20 ml) Fresh Lime Juice
  • 2 Bar Spoons Superfine Sugar

Taster Notes:

  • Very limey and tart
  • Strong, boozy, and unbalanced

7. Best for a Spicy Kick: ChatGPT Non-Alcoholic Daiquiri

Ingredients:

  • 2 ounces of ritual rum
  • 1 ounce of lime juice
  • 0.75 ounce of rich cane syrup
  • 2 dashes of habanero tincture

Taster Notes:

  • Spice forward
  • Unique with a spicy finish

6. Best for Jamaican Rum Lovers: Reddit Daiquiri

Ingredients:

  • 2 ounces of Appleton Estate Signature
  • 0.75 ounce of lime juice
  • 0.5 ounce of 2:1 demerara syrup

Taster Notes:

  • Rum forward, funky Jamaican rum
  • Unbalanced, boozy

5. Best for a Complex Flavor: Dan’s Dark Daiquiri

Ingredients:

  • 2 ounces of Flor de Caña 18 Rum
  • 0.75 ounce of lime juice
  • 0.5 ounce of agave nectar

Taster Notes:

  • Strong and complex
  • Rich rum flavor with subtle notes

4. Best for an Earthy Twist: Toasty Bird Original Daiquiri

Ingredients:

  • 1.75 ounces of Flor de Caña white rum
  • 0.25 ounce of Barbancourt Rhum Agricole
  • 1 ounce of lime juice
  • 0.75 rich cane syrup

Taster Notes:

  • Sweet and tart
  • Refreshing with grassy notes

3. Best for a Regal Taste: The Educated Barfly Daiquiri

Ingredients:

  • 2 ounces of white rum
  • 1 ounce of lime juice
  • 0.75 ounce of simple syrup
  • 1 grapefruit (or other citrus) peel

Taster Notes:

  • Balanced with a nice finish
  • Slightly tangy and complex

2. Best for a Classic Sweet Daiquiri: Punch / Pietro Collina

Ingredients:

  • 2 ounces of Flor de Caña 4-Year Extra Seco 4 Year Rum
  • 1 ounce of lime juice
  • 0.75 ounce of rich cane syrup (2:1)

Taster Notes:

  • Sweet and balanced
  • Refreshing and citrusy

1. Best for a Perfect Beach Drink: Death and Co – Dave’s Daiquiri

Ingredients:

  • 2 ounces of Matusalem Gran Reserva 15-year Rum
  • 1 ounce of lime juice
  • 0.75 ounce of simple syrup

Taster Notes:

  • Balanced with a lime-forward taste
  • Smooth and perfect for the beach
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