Mint Frozen Daiquiri

Pro tips

• Gently press mint leaves rather than vigorously muddle—bruising releases bitter compounds and darkens the drink.
• Use fresh-squeezed lime juice; bottled juice will taste flat and acidic. Measure the juice before blending.
• Add ice last and blend until just smooth to avoid over-dilution; thicker ice takes less blending time.
• Chill your glass with ice water before serving to keep the drink cold longer.

Substitutions

• Light rum → white rum or rhum blanc (no change needed)
• Fresh lime juice → fresh lemon juice (slight tartness shift, reduce by 1/4 oz)
• Simple syrup → honey syrup or agave nectar (1:1 ratio, adds different sweetness profile)
• Fresh mint → Thai basil or lemon balm (herb changes, use same quantity)

Storage & make-ahead

Serve immediately after blending. Do not store the blended cocktail; it will separate and dilute.

Equipment

blender · cocktail jigger or measuring tool · coupe or rocks glass

Can I make this without fresh mint?

Fresh mint is central to the flavor. If unavailable, you can substitute 1/4 oz crème de menthe or 2–3 drops mint extract, though the taste will be different.

What rum works best for this drink?

Light (white) rum is traditional and recommended. Avoid dark or spiced rum, which will overpower the mint and lime balance.

How do I prevent the drink from becoming too watery?

Use fresh ice cubes rather than crushed ice, and blend just until smooth. Over-blending melts the ice too quickly.

Can this be made ahead?

No. Freeze components separately, then blend fresh. Frozen daiquiris separate and lose texture if stored blended.

How do I muddle the mint without bruising it?

Gently press mint leaves against the side of your blender or pitcher to release oils, rather than crushing them hard.