The Original Cuban El Floridita Daiquiri Recipe with Domino Golden Sugar

A Travel Inspired Cocktail Recipe

In a fast-paced world where life is seemingly going faster than a 737, reminiscing on travel memories is always a great way to slow down.

Whether your favorite trip was in a tropical paradise or a crisp snow covered mountain, tastes and smells are always the best way to transport ourselves back to our favorite vacation memories (at least without hopping on an airplane and calling out of the office).

What is the one thing that is attached to all of our vacations, celebrations, our small victories, our holidays, and our happiest moments?

Food & drinks. Furthermore, what is the one ingredient that we “treat” ourselves to in all of these blissful travel and celebratory moments? Sugar.

Whether it’s that time we allow ourselves to feel guilt free while sipping piña coladas on the beaches of Mexico, or your first taste of a mojito from La Bodeguita in Havana, sugar truly is the flavor of our lives & makes life *sweet*.

However, as someone who travels the globe full-time, I am able to see how people around the world eat healthier, less processed ingredients. It’s a common theme no matter where I roam, when it comes to ingredients, other countries keep it simple.

This is why I was excited to learn more about Domino Golden Sugar— a brand new, less processed alternative to traditional white sugar, and couldn’t wait to make some of my favorite travel inspired cocktails with it!

The History of the El Floridita Daiquiri

One of my favorite countries to visit again and again is Cuba– just 90 miles off the southern most tip of Florida!

It’s a place that is so vibrant, lively and practically untouched by time.

As someone who has traveled extensively, it’s become apparent on my travels that famed writer Ernest Hemingway had spent time in some of the most captivating and enjoyable places around the world.

Seriously, this guy frequented some of my favorite cities and was considered a local in just about all of them, including Istanbul, Paris, Key West, and of course - Cuba!

So, when I found out that he had a favorite drink and a favorite bar in Havana that was still in operation, I knew following in his footsteps wouldn’t steer me wrong!

When I finally made it to Cuba for the first time, it was very hot. So, I went straight for one of those famous Daiquiris at El Floridita to cool down. El Floridita is known as “The Cradle of the Daiquiri”, AKA… the place where daiquiris were invented.

El Floridita is a tourist hotspot, but it’s also Hemingway’s old stomping ground. In fact, til this day, it’s alleged that Hemingway still holds the record for most daiquiri’s consumed in one sitting at the now tourist hotspot… and it should be noted his were doubles!

The bartenders were friendly, and after becoming a frequent visitor myself, the bartenders were happy to pull me behind the bar to teach me how to make the perfect daiquiri.

I learned the exact El Floridita Daiquiri recipe and the Hemingway Daiquiri recipe (yep… he actually has his very own version).

Without further ado, the reason you’re here…

The El Floridita Daiquiri Recipe

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon Domino Golden Sugar
1½ ounces white rum, (at El Floridita they use 3 year old Havana Club, but you can substitute your favorite white rum).
½ fresh lime squeezed
A splash of maraschino liqueur
1/2 cup ice

Directions:

Add the ingredients into a blender (I like to use Vitamix or a similarly powerful blender to really get through the ice chunks).

Run the blender until ingredients are slushy. Be careful not to over-blend.

Add all ingredients into a blender. Run for about 30 seconds, or until slushy. To serve just like you are in Havana, pour into martini glass and serve with a small colorful (preferably compostable) straw.

Watch This Video:

How to Make a Cuban Daiquiri At El Floridita

Hemingway had his own Daiquiri style, to make a Hemingway Daiquri, essentially add more rum, and half the sugar.

The Hemingway Daiquiri

Ingredients:

2 oz white rum
Squeeze ½ Fresh lime juice
.5 oz Fresh grapefruit juice
½ tsp Domino Golden Sugar
½ tsp Maraschino liqueur
½ cup ice
Glass: Cocktail

Directions:

Blend exactly like the traditional El Floridita Daiquiri (above). Serve in a martini glass.

Why Domino Golden Sugar?

When I first learned of Domino Golden Sugar, to be honest, I was a little confused. Is it brown sugar? Is it white sugar? Does it taste different? There were so many questions.

Fortunately, Domino was kind enough to invite me to Florida to tour the Domino Agricultural Center and learn all about this new type of sugar!

While visiting, I was able to see (and taste) how the sugar cane is grown, and learn more about what makes this golden sugar so special.

Domino Golden Sugar is less processed, but holds no health benefits compared to regular white sugar. When the sugar crystals form, there is molasses left on the sugar crystal. When it’s washed off completely– it becomes white sugar.

However, when a tiny bit of that molasses is left behind, it creates the golden hue. You can use Domino Golden Sugar to replace white sugar in any recipe, and you use it exactly as you would with white sugar.

Raw Cane Sugar at Domino Agriculture Center

The biggest question is, does it taste different? The answer is, yes… but just a little bit. When leaving that tiny bit of molasses on the sugar crystal, you will have a subtle hint of a more richer caramel or molasses flavor.

It’s only slightly detectable, but I think it does taste a bit better than traditional white sugar and it’s less processed which is always something I look for!

Domino Golden Sugar launched in spring of 2019, but Domino has been on the market for over 115 years. Give Domino Golden Sugar a try next time you make a Cuban Daiquiri, or make any cocktail or food to reminisce about your travels!

If you have trouble finding Domino Golden Sugar in your local supermarket, you can find it on Amazon! Happy travels and happy cocktail crafting!