Frozen Lime Daiquiri

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 05/16/21
Tested by
Sean Michael Johnson
Photo of Sean Michael Johnson
Tested by Sean Michael Johnson
Sean is an award-winning bartender with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He is the head bartender at the two-Michelin-star restaurant, Gabriel Kreuther, crafting cocktail menus that have caught international attention. To date, he has made over 1 million cocktails, and counting.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Frozen Lime Daiquiri

The Spruce / Cara Cormack

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 5 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

The frozen daiquiri is a delicious boozy slushie and an excellent way to cool down on a hot summer day. Featuring the tart, snappy taste of fresh lime juice, this fruity daiquiri is easy to blend up and adapt to your personal taste.

A basic frozen lime daiquiri, this recipe includes the essential ingredients of the original shaken daiquiri: rum, lime juice, and simple syrup. Blending ice into that classic cocktail can make the flavor a little dull, though. The solution is to use a little less ice and add triple sec for extra dimension. To give it an extra flavor boost, consider using an aged rum and make the simple syrup with dark sugar. When paired with fresh lime juice, these simple upgrades create an intriguing frosty drink.

As in any daiquiri and margarita recipe, there is potential to add even more flavor. With a little extra fruit or liquor, you can transform this recipe into an entirely new experience. Have fun with what you toss into the blender, and enjoy your experiments.

"In my opinion, the Daiquiri is already a perfect cocktail when made properly, and a Frozen Daiquiri is a cream-filled donut. This recipe gets you there. If you are missing a beach, or just need a moment to feel somewhere else, get that blender out and enjoy this modern-day miracle." —Sean Johnson

Frozen Lime Daiquiri Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 3 or 4 ​ice cubes, or more as needed

  • 2 ounces aged or gold rum

  • 1/2 ounce triple sec

  • 1 to 1 1/2 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice, to taste

  • 1/2 ounce simple syrup

  • Lime wedge, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Frozen Lime Daiquiri ingredients

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  2. In a blender, add the ice, rum, triple sec, lime juice, and simple syrup.

    In a blender, add the ice, rum, triple sec, lime juice, and simple syrup

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  3. Blend until smooth.

    blend daiquiri ingredients in a blender

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  4. Pour into a chilled coupe, margarita, or Collins glass.

    Pour into a chilled coupe, margarita glass

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  5. Garnish with a lime wedge. Serve and enjoy.

    Frozen Lime Daiquiri, garnished with lime

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

Tips

  • To thicken a frozen cocktail, add an ice cube or two and blend again. If it's too thick, add a little more lime juice.
  • For a depth of flavor, use raw sugar (e.g., turbinado or demerara) or coconut sugar instead of white sugar in the simple syrup recipe. Honey and agave nectar are good alternative sweeteners.
  • Since lime is the featured ingredient, fresh lime juice really is best in this recipe. The average lime yields 1/2 ounce to 1 ounce; you can typically squeeze two whole limes into the blender.
  • Stemmed glassware is an excellent choice for frozen daiquiris because you can hold the glass without warming the drink. It works just as well in a tall collins glass or stout tumbler.
  • No matter which glass you use, chill it first. A few minutes in the freezer will keep your daiquiri from melting too quickly.

Recipe Variations

  • Skip the rum and triple sec for a virgin daiquiri. Add more lime juice or replace the liquors with coconut water.
  • This recipe is the basis for a variety of frozen daiquiris, and almost any fruit will complement the lime. Pineapple or strawberry rum add instant intrigue. You can also infuse herbs like rosemary, lavender, or mint into a syrup or rum.
  • Another option is to add a liqueur. Taking a hint from the Hemingway daiquiri, a shot of maraschino is a nice boost; the frozen version is sometimes called a Floridita daiquiri. Other lightly flavored liqueurs (e.g., elderflower, lychee, vanilla) are fun, too.
  • For a big change in flavor, add your favorite fresh or frozen fruits to the blender. Like the banana daiquiri, cut the fruit into chunks for easier blending or let frozen fruits thaw a bit. Don't be afraid of mixing flavors: pineapple-kiwi, strawberry-banana, apricot-peach... The combinations are endless.

What Is the Best Rum for a Frozen Daiquiri?

While white rum may be a good choice for a full-flavored strawberry daiquiri, a lime daiquiri needs a little more dimension. This is the perfect time to use your favorite gold or aged rum. For even more flavor, consider a spiced or flavored rum. The drink's more transparent flavor will not cover up any impurities in the rum, either. For the best-tasting frozen daiquiri, choose a mid-range brand of rum.

Can Frozen Daquiris Be Made Ahead?

While you have the blender going, make multiple daiquiris at once and freeze them to enjoy later. Pour the finished cocktail into freezer-safe glass jars, filling each no more than 3/4 full to allow for expansion and prevent broken glass. They'll keep well for up to a month. Set the jars out for 10 to 15 minutes to thaw a bit, and stir before drinking. Use 1/2-pint jars for single-serving daiquiris or larger containers when preparing for a party and scoop the slushy into glasses.

What's the Difference Between a Daiquiri and Margarita?

Though very similar and equally customizable, the primary difference between a daiquiri and margarita is the base liquor. Daiquiris use rum, and margaritas are made with tequila. Typically, the daiquiri doesn't use triple sec, which is standard in a margarita, but sometimes (as in this recipe), it's a nice addition to the rum cocktail.

How Strong Is a Frozen Lime Daiquiri?

As with most blended cocktails, the frozen daiquiri is a light drink. With the average rum, its alcohol content will fall in the 12 percent ABV (24 proof) range. It's like drinking a glass of wine, only cooler and fruitier.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
219 Calories
0g Fat
21g Carbs
1g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 219
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 8mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 21g 8%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 12g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 33mg 167%
Calcium 32mg 2%
Iron 0mg 3%
Potassium 124mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)