“The moment had arrived for a Daiquiri. It was a delicate compound; it elevated my contentment to an even higher pitch.”1
– Joseph Hergesheimer,
San Cristobal de la Habana
Papa Hemingway loved the Daiquiri and so do I. It is simplicity itself; a classic, crisp, refreshing cocktail that will elevate any occasion at which it is served. Just combine light rum with lime juice and simple syrup and then shake or blend with ice and it’s done. For Papa Hemingway’s eponymous version, just add grapefruit juice and maraschino liqueur in place of sugar (see my previous Blog about this). In its frozen state, a Daiquiri looks like a mound of unadulterated snow and is best consumed with a straw. In its shaken state, it is like looking into a limpid pool of ice water. Indeed, the Daiquiri’s simplicity makes it a cocktail platform for the creative, if not the absurd. So I was thrilled that I received a copy of Puerto Rican Cooking by Carmen Aboy Valldejuli as part of the Food Blogger Cookbook Swap for the very reason there are lots of Daiquiri recipes in it! If you are new to traditional Daiquiris, Primer Magazine has a Daiquiri overview on its website that is worth a click to familiarize yourself with the drink: http://www.primermagazine.com/2012/learn/the-daiquiri.
Jimmy Buffett and I think alike in one sense. Put some booze and ice in a blender and soon it will render a frozen concoction that helps me hang on. I know that many traditionalists scoff at the notion of creating a frozen cocktail. But living in an area that produces 120 days of 100+ temperatures makes one really appreciate the cooling refreshment of an adult snow cone in a chilled glass. Just the other night, Sous Chef grabbed Puerto Rican Cooking, looked up a Daiquiri recipe, poured the ingredients into our trusty Vitamix, added ice cubes, punched the button and in less than a minute that frozen concoction was calming our flu-generated sore throats in the most amiable fashion. After a couple of these libations, the words flowed from my keyboard as I tried to capture the spirit of this drink for you. That the words came out more like P.G. Wodehouse than Ernest Hemingway is likely attributable to the pleasingly anesthetizing effect of the drink.
The Food Blogger Cookbook Swap was hosted by Alyssa of www.EverydayMaven.com and Faith of http://www.anediblemosiac.com. I sent a cookbook to a food blogger and received a cookbook in return, which just happened to be from Adrianna from Great Food 360. Adrianna is a fellow Dorista and participates in French Fridays with Dorie, so I have loved reading her blog and experiences in Puerto Rican cooking. Adrianna sent a copy of Puerto Rican Cooking, a book that is “considered today to be [one of] the definitive books on island cooking” by no less than Craig Claiborne of The New York Times. A big thanks to Adrianna for expanding my regional cooking knowledge to include Puerto Rican cuisine. Make sure to head over to her blog at http://greatfood360.com/ , and visit the other great blogs from fellow participants:
A Baker’s House
An Edible Mosaic
avocado bravado
Blue Kale Road
Blueberries And Blessings
Cheap Recipe Blog
Confessions of a Culinary Diva
Create Amazing Meals
Cucina Kristina
Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Cupcake Project
Dinner is Served 1972
Done With Corn
Eats Well With Others
Everyday Maven
Flour Me With Love
From My Sweet Heart
girlichef
Great Food 360°
Healthy. Delicious.
I’m Gonna Cook That!
Je Mange la Ville
Karen’s Kitchen Stories
Kitchen Treaty
Olive and Herb
OnTheMove-In The Galley
Our Best Bites
Paleo Gone Sassy
poet in the pantry
Rhubarb and Honey
Rocky Mountain Cooking
Shikha la mode
Shockingly Delicious
Sifting Focus
Spiceroots
Spoonful of Flavor
Tara’s Multicultural Table
The Not So Exciting Adventures of a Dabbler
The Suburban Soapbox
The Whole Family’s Food
- 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) White Puerto Rican Rum
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 cup ice
- Blend all ingredients in an blender.
- Serve frappe' in chilled cocktail glass.
LOL! I knew you’d get a kick out of the rum cocktails section. That book and its original version in Spanish are delightfully retro.
Oh, how fun to be paired with a Dorista and I LOVE the choice that Adriana sent to you.
How fun! I, too, believe in the restorative powers of a frozen blender drink. I just got a brand new Ninja blender, and you’ve inspired me to put it to good use this weekend.
I’m so ready for a daquiri now! Thank goodness it’s Friday and happy hour isn’t far! Great to be introduced to your blog via the swap. 🙂
How fun, Christy! I loved reading your post, too. Adriana is so wonderful.
I think I have everything I need to make these right now…well…this evening, when I get home from work!
Fun to find your blog through this swap. I love drinks made in the vitamix too. The last one I tried was a margarita and now daiquiri is up next!
Great looking cookbook! That Daiguiri looks fabulous. I don’t know much about Puerto Rican cuisine. It is definitely going on my amazon wishlist.
Oh what a fun book to have received! I love daiquiris and even though it’s 21 degrees here in Washington D.C., that beautiful slushy drink is calling my name! Glad to have been introduced to your lovely blog through this swap!
Girl after my own heart. I’m having one of these tomorrow night for sure!
Thank you so much for participating in the swap and helping to make it a success! This looks like such a fun cookbook, I would love to know more about Puerto Rican cooking!
I’m a big fan of adult snowcones, too. I don’t care what traditionalists think! 🙂
Still smiling at the notion of medicating a sore throat with a few Daiquiris – YES! Fun post and intriguing cookbook.
I love Puerto Rican food and I need to get this book! Love that you made a cocktail 🙂
I’ve had a frozen concoction or two help me hang on over the years…no scoffing here! And even though it looks like it could have been scooped from outside my window, I’d happily enjoy a glass right this moment. This sounds like a great book! 🙂
I love the idea of a daiquiri as a flu treatment. 🙂
Nicely done for the swap!
I feel like having a daiquiri will convince me that summer is on it’s way…and will make me feel so much better about life in general!
I love daiquiris! This looks great!