Daiquiri is the name of the Cuban beach where American soldiers landed in the Spanish-American War of 1898. They were followed by a few generations of American tourists who quickly came to favor a popular local drink named after that beach. This early version was likely to contain a simple blend of local dark rum, sugar, lime juice and ice. The raspberry daiquiri owes its roots to that drink, since it is only a few steps more advanced with the addition of macerated raspberries and maybe some orange liqueur.
The procedure for making a raspberry daiquiri has not changed much since the earliest batches. It is typically served in two common versions in the 21st century though — blended with ice or on the rocks. Though the ingredients are basic, proportions are important. A standard recipe for will start by macerating as many as a dozen raspberries in a metal mixing glass, followed by the juice of a lime, at least 0.5 teaspoon (about 2.5 g) of sugar, one shot (about 2 oz. or 60 ml) or more of rum, and, for some connoisseurs, a quarter-shot (about 0.5 oz. or 15 ml) of orange liqueur. This last ingredient easily adds the sweetness and tartness of a third fruit to the mix.
After covering the mixing glass, skilled raspberry daiquiri makers will then shake it until chilled. Poured with the ice, the drink will slowly dilute as it is consumed. Using a sieve to strain the drink into a martini glass leaves the ice behind, so no diluting occurs. For the other popular iteration, the mixture can be poured into a covered blender to become a frozen raspberry daiquiri. Most bartenders line the rims of all their daiquiri glasses with a swipe of lime wedge and a quick dip in the sugar bowl.
Dark or white Caribbean rum is typically the go-to liquor for a raspberry daiquiri, perhaps due to its Cuban roots. A mirror-image version that is popular in Brazil, called cachaca, uses a different type of rum — a family of liquors derived from the plentiful sugarcane found throughout equatorial America. According to the Complete Home Bartender's Guide, this was once the preferred pre-dinner drink of President John F. Kennedy. In due time, bartenders gussied the classic up with fruits like raspberries, strawberries and bananas.
Many health-conscious drinkers crave fruits like fresh raspberries in their alcoholic beverages. Some make raspberry wine at home or any number of other raspberry cocktails. Another popular raspberry drink is not much different than the daiquiri — using gin instead of rum, lemons instead of limes, and a little soda water for a splash of carbonation.
