Daquiri know how

Ed Viita, Bar Manager at Artesian at The Langham shares the secrets of creating the perfect daiquiri.

The daiquiri is the original rum cocktail: a combination of just three ingredients: rum, lime and sugar shaken with ice. Because of its simplicity, the quality is all in the ingredients. The daiquiri is an ideal showcase for a quality rum. It grasps the flavours of the rum while still allowing its essential characteristics to shine through.

• Pick a rum to suit your taste. Whether it be a spicy Trinidadian, a fiery Jamaican, or a subtle, smooth Cuban; the rum at the base of your daiquiri is what it’s all about.
• There’s no perfect daiquiri recipe as all rums are different. It’s essential to get the balance of sweet and sour correct so vary the amount of sugar according to the sweetness of your chosen rum.
• Serve in a chilled martini glass or even better a traditional coupette. A chilled glass will keep your daiquiri cold longer.
• Experiment with not only different rums but different ingredients. Try adding a dash of Angostura bitters or a sprinkle of nutmeg. Try a Hemingway Daiquiri with grapefruit juice and maraschino liqueur. The fun is in searching for your favourite recipe.

Ed’s Favourite Daiquiri
50ml Aged Demerara Rum (preferably El Dorado 12yr)
25ml Lime Juice
15ml Sugar Syrup

Shake hard with ice cubes and a little crushed ice and strain into a chilled coupette. Garnish with a twist of lime.

Visit Artesian at The Langham, London (www.artesian-bar.co.uk) and try one of the six cocktail grazing menus consisting of taster servings of a range of four different cocktails (from £30). Or, alternatively, book a ‘Daiquiri Master Class” with one of their top mixologists (£45pp – call 020 7636 1000 to make a reservation).