January 2009

 Let's talk about the Daiquiri, one of many special drinks that has gone to the dogs thanks to pre-packaged mixes, unnecessary machines and unprepared bars. Sure, a lot of us think we're familiar with this island-born beauty, but the truth is ugly. Say the word "Daiquiri" and you'll probably conjure an image of some half-frozen sludge that looks like a melted Popsicle and tastes like potpourri. After today, let's hope that changes. The Daiquiri has its origins on the island of Cuba, where it shares the name of a beach and an iron mine. Legend has it that some American sailors put the first batch of it together, but like most cocktail legends this is probably apocryphal. Regardless of who named the thing, liquor augmented with lime juice is as old as the introduction of limes to Western people. English seamen were known to flavor their gin with the vitamin-C richness of lime juice to help stave off scurvy. This became so popular that a British Minister of Medicine named Dr. Gimlet officially endorsed the drink. When Europeans came to the Caribbean Sea, they were introduced to rum and rum was likewise introduced to lime. Why all this talk of lime juice? Read more