Four Places to Try on International Daiquiri Day in Brisbane

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Are you a Bacardi, lime and sugar fan? We're betting that you are, although you might not know it. They're the three ingredients an American engineer by the name of Jennings Stockton Cox mixed together back in 1898 while he was working in the Cuban mining town of Daiquiri. As you've probably guessed by now, cocktail history was made, with his drink soon spreading to Santiago and then the US.

That's both a toastworthy story and an icy beverage worth celebrating, which is what rum pioneers Bacardi have dedicated July 19 to doing. During the 31-day-long festival of cocktail culture that is Bacardi Rum Month, the family-owned liquor brand will be championing the concoction everyone knows and loves — and four of Brisbane's best daiquiri joints will be joining in. Over the years, the daiquiri been bastardised by slushy machines and TGI Fridays into pink, icy mush, but there are some noble bartenders, like these Brisbanites, taking this misunderstood cocktail classic back to its traditional form.

THE MANHATTAN LINE

It must be the sophistication of the daiquiri that lends itself to Big Apple-themed establishments — revelling in the look and feel of a cool city calls for a cool drink, after all. You'll find atmosphere, beverages and Bacardi, lime and sugar a-plenty at the Manhattan Line, Little Stanley Street's fun and funky hot dog and liquor dispensary. Check out 'the Runner Up' for a winter twist on the cocktail of the moment, complete with homemade apple and cinnamon (aka Christmas) syrup. Their regular menu also boasts the original brew, as made from scratch and served fresh, for those who prefer the tried-and-tested route.

3A Little Stanley Street, South Bank

COBBLER

Tucked up along Browning Street in West End, Cobbler is one of the city's premier whisky bars — but they've proven themselves mighty capable and creative when it comes to other spirits too. That includes Barcadi-based beverages given a special twist (or several), such as a daiquiri designed to be extra fragrant and fruity. You won't find machine-squeezed flavours here, but rather black poached pear glaze and fresh pink grapefruit, mixed with white pepper fino sherry, layered over the oak and vanilla notes of Bacardi 8.

7 Browning Street, West End

JAHH TIGER

Jamaica and rum go hand-in-hand — and we know you're currently fantasising about knocking back drinks in the Caribbean as you're reading this. That's what Jahh Tiger wants to help you to imagine, be it through their jerk-shack decorating scheme or their sizeable cocktail menu. And of course, what better beverage to picture yourself enjoying on the beach than a daiquiri? The bartenders even shake the Bacardi, pressed lime juice and castor sugar together by hand, keeping things as old-school and original as possible. Any embellishment is left to your daydreams.

3/1 Park Road, Milton

THE BOWERY

For 12 years now, the Bowery has been enticing punters through the door on the strength of two things: their cocktails and their jazzy, bluesy vibe. The latter is as eclectic as a slice of downtown New York in Fortitude Valley should be, while the former overflows with liquored-up sensations that start a party on your taste buds. Take their rum month daiquiri, for instance, which aims to combine fresh, grassy notes with a hint of sweet spice through the combination of unripened banana, sour malic and sugary oleo-saccharum oil. You've never had a daiquiri like this.

676 Ann Street, Brisbane

Top image: Dollar Photo Club.