Hemingway special

The Hemingway Special is a classic cocktail made with white rum, grapefruit juice, maraschino liqueur, and fresh lime juice. Named after the famous author who loved to drink and write, this refreshing and tangy cocktail is perfect for summer sipping.

Hemingway special recipe

• 6 cL (12 parts) Rum
• 4 cl (8 parts) grapefruit juice
• 1.5 cL (3 parts) Maraschino liqueur
• 1.5 cl (3 parts) fresh lime juice

Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake.

Shaking a Hemingway Special the right way

1. Chill a cocktail glass first so the drink stays brisk and clean when served straight up. A few minutes in the freezer works well, or fill the glass with ice water while you mix.
2. Add white rum, freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, and maraschino liqueur to a shaker.
3. Fill the shaker generously with ice. Plenty of ice helps the drink reach the right dilution without turning thin or watery.
4. Shake hard for about 10 to 15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker feels very cold. This cocktail benefits from a lively shake because citrus and liqueur need to integrate fully.
5. Empty the chilling ice from the glass if needed, then fine-strain the drink into the chilled cocktail glass for a smooth, pulp-free finish.
6. Serve immediately. If you want a garnish, a thin grapefruit twist is the most natural fit, but many versions are left unadorned.

What the Hemingway Special tastes like

This is a leaner, sharper Daiquiri relative: bright citrus up front, a dry cherry-almond edge from maraschino, and a crisp rum backbone underneath. Grapefruit gives it bitterness and lift, while lime keeps the structure tight. It is less plush and sugary than many modern sours, which is exactly the appeal.

Getting the balance right

The drink can swing tart very quickly, especially with assertive grapefruit. If your fruit is particularly sharp, a tiny touch more maraschino can soften the edges without making the drink feel sweet. A light, clean rum usually keeps the profile snappy; richer aged styles can work, but they tend to pull the drink away from its classic briskness.

Havana roots and the Hemingway connection

The Hemingway Special is generally linked to El Floridita in Havana and to Ernest Hemingway, who was known to spend time there. The exact evolution is a little murky, but the most credible story is that it developed from the Floridita Daiquiri family, adapted to suit Hemingway’s preference for less sugar and a more tart profile. It is now widely treated as a modern classic, even though its roots are closely tied to pre-revolution Cuban bar culture.

A zero-proof version that still feels grown-up

For a non-alcoholic riff, combine chilled white grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, a small spoon of cherry syrup or non-alcoholic maraschino-style syrup, and a splash of non-alcoholic white rum alternative if you have one. Shake with ice and strain into a chilled glass. Keep it dry and citrus-forward rather than sweet to preserve the character of the original.