Hemingway Daiquiri Recipe

Also known as a Papa Doble, the Hemingway Daiquiri takes the simple Daiquiri to a new level with two simple additions. Read on to discover how Ernest Hemingway got his name on the drink and learn how to make a Papa Doble at home.

As it turns out, the Hemingway Daiquiri has an interesting history that involves one of the least girly authors to ever travel to the cocktail’s home country of Cuba. It’s also a cocktail that tastes so great that you’ll want to drink two, maybe three, once you give it a try.

What Is the Hemingway Daiquiri?

Named after Ernest Hemingway and nicknamed both Papa Doble and Hemingway Special, this classic cocktail is a Daiquiri variation that adds ruby red grapefruit juice and maraschino liqueur to the classic cocktail’s recipe. More than just window dressing, these two extra ingredients simultaneously add a subtle sweetness and bright, tart flavor to the simple sipper.

Legend has it that Hemingway inspired his namesake cocktail when he ordered a Daiquiri without sugar and double the rum. Though the recipe has evolved over the years, it’s difficult, if not impossible, to forget the story where it all began.

History of the Hemingway Daiquiri

The history of the Hemingway Daiquiri is a doozy thanks to the two key characters involved in the classic cocktail’s origin story. One was bigger-than-life author Ernest Hemingway and the other was master mixologist Constantino Ribailagua.

As famous for his voracious appetite as for his prolific writing, Hemingway lived at Havana’s Hotel Ambos Mundos during the 1930s. At that same time, Ribailagua was an equally prolific bartender at Havana’s El Floridita bar. Considering the mere 750 meter distance between the Hotel Ambos Mundos and El Floridita, it was only a matter of time before the two would meet.

As described in this NPR article, the Hemingway Daiquiri owes its creation to a productive pit stop at El Floridita. Not only did Hemingway find a restroom during his sojourn, but he also made cocktail history by custom ordering a Daiquiri with less sugar and more rum.

Ribailagua crafted the original Hemingway Daiquiri which eventually adopted the Papa Doble moniker. He later fine-tuned the recipe by adding maraschino liqueur and grapefruit juice.

As for Hemingway, he proceeded to drink many more Cuban cocktails at El Floridita over the years, typically ordering double drinks with four ounces of rum in each glass. Papa clearly liked his doubles. Or, we should say, his Papa Dobles.

Buy To Have and Have Another – A Hemingway Cocktail Companion from Amazon and read the story about the time that Hemingway drank 17 cocktails at one sitting as well as other drinking adventures.

Hemingway Daiquiri Ingredients

Luxardo produces our preferred maraschino liqueur which is not surprising since we’re obsessed with the Italian company’s maraschino cherries. We had to special-order this liqueur and it was totally worth it. Not only can we use it to craft Hemingway Daiquiris, but Luxardo maraschino liqueur is a key ingredient in Aviation and Martinez cocktails too.

How To Craft a Hemingway Daiquiri

The first step is to squeeze the juice if you have access to fresh fruit. This is a great time to cut a lime wheel while the lime is still intact.

Once all the ingredients are in the shaker, add ice and shake until all the ingredients are chilled and mixed. This should take about 30 seconds.

Once you strain the Hemingway Daiquiri into a coupe glass, all that’s left to do is garnish the cocktail with a lime wheel. Although you could gently drop the lime wheel directly into the drink, we prefer to place ours on the glass rim instead.

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Hemingway Daiquiri Recipe

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Original Publication Date: April 13, 2021