As the heat of the summer continues to bear down on our shoulders, we continue indulging in our favorite summertime foods and drinks. While cocktails are loved year round, there is nothing like having an iced cold cocktail to cool you down.  

The Daiquiri is a sweet cocktail that is loved all around. It is a rum-based drink that essentially combines lime and sugar. 

The sweetness paired with the smokey nature of rum gives this cocktail a one-of-a-kind kick. One cannot imagine sitting by the beach without sipping on this cool and refreshing drink. 

To celebrate this National Daiquiri Day, here are some things you didn’t know about this crowd favorite. 

It Was Created By Jennings Stockton Cox 

Jennings Stockton Cox was an American mining engineer. During one of his expeditions during the Spanish-American war, Cox combined Bacardi Rum and lime with sugar to unwind after a long work day with his colleagues. 

At this moment in history, we can trace back the origin of the Daiquiri cocktail.

If you are feeling adventurous like Jennings Stockton Cox, here is a Daiquiri recipe with a juicy watermelon twist to try at home. 

Frozen Watermelon Daiquiri

Ingredients:

• 4 cups cubed watermelon
• ¼ cup light rum
• ¼ cup fresh lime juice
• ¼ cup orange-flavored liqueur or Cointreau
• Ice cubes made with chopped fruit or freeze pureed watermelon into ice cube trays

Directions:

1. Freeze watermelon in a shallow pan at least 6 hours. 
2. Combine frozen watermelon, rum, lime juice, and orange-flavored liqueur in a blender. 
3. Process until smooth, stopping once to scrape down sides. Add enough ice to bring the mixture to a 5-cup level; process until smooth. 
4. Repeat the procedure, if necessary, until the mixture measures 5 cups.

Named After A Cuban Village 

As we just discussed, Jennings Stockton Cox was on a mining expedition when he decided to mix precise ingredients that would create a cooling, refreshing drink. This all went down in Cuba, in the small mining village of Daiquiri. 

At the time, Cox named it “Ron Bacardi a la Daiquiri” due to its location, and it was eventually shortened to Daiquiri alone. 

It Was One of JFK’s Favorite Drinks 

The Daiquiri started gaining so much popularity in the 1900s that it even caught the attention of John F. Kennedy. 

This cocktail quickly became one of his favorite drinks to indulge in, and he loved the way his wife, Jackie Kennedy, made them. He loved them so much that he even drank daiquiris to celebrate his victory in the presidential election of 1960.