A few weeks ago we spend a very enjoyable evening sipping cocktails at Tigerlily in Edinburgh and it crossed my mind that I should make my occasional foray into cocktail making more of a regular occurrence. Friday night cocktails have become a highlight of the week since then.
Last week it was cocktails for two as Daughter was staying over. Scottish strawberries are in season at the moment and I had some in the fridge so the strawberry daiquiri seemed like a good choice. Its a fruity, refreshing but potent mix of strawberries, white rum and lime juice, perfect for summer evenings.
The original daiquiri (without the strawberries) is named after an iron mine and beach in Cuba, where an American mining engineer, Jennings Cox, is said to have invented it. When the mine was purchased by US congressman William A Chanler in 1902, he introduced the drink to New York. The Daiquiri has similarities with 18th Century British sailors’ grog, which combined the rum ration with lime, rich in vitamin C to prevent scurvy, and sugar.
A mixologist once told me that a good cocktail should include strong and weak, sweet and sour elements. This gets its alcoholic strength from the rum, diluted with fruit and fruit juice. Lime provides the sour element, sweetened with strawberries and added sugar.
Ingredients (to serve one)
A handfuls of strawberries (4-5 large ones plus another for garnish)
2 tsp white sugar (more if you prefer a sweeter mix)
1.5 oz white rum
1oz lime juice
Method
Blend all the ingredients then add to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until chilled, then strain (to remove seeds) into a martini glass. Garnish with a strawberry.
I didn’t strain the strawberry seeds out, but that doesn’t affect the taste!
Delicious and very summery!
Always drink responsibly
Stitches by the Sea 