Forget the slushy strawberry daiquiris of the '90s—National Daiquiri Day (tomorrow, Saturday, July 19) calls for something with a bit more grit. Enter the Hemingway Daiquiri, a bold, refreshingly tart spin on the Cuban classic, named after the man who liked his drinks strong, dry, and preferably in bulk.

First mixed at Havana’s El Floridita bar for Ernest Hemingway himself, the drink skips the usual sweetness and dials up the rum, citrus, and bite. But you don’t need to channel Hemingway’s legendary tolerance to enjoy this one. The Hemingway Special (as it became known) added maraschino liqueur and a touch of grapefruit to round out the punch of lime and rum, creating a more balanced, still potent cocktail that’s perfect for hot July evenings.

It’s bright, crisp, and layered with just enough cherry and citrus complexity to keep things interesting. Whether you’re a literary legend or just mixing drinks on your back patio, the Hemingway Daiquiri is a toast to timeless taste.

(Originally published 7/18/25)