Here we are in February already—midwinter, here in the northern latitudes of the United States, and this is the time of year I start watching golf tournaments just to see green grass and blue skies. Another way I like to pretend I’m somewhere warmer and sunnier is to make myself a tropical, summertime drink such as a French Daiquiri.

What? Yes, French. After all, France’s overseas departments and territories include sugarcane and pineapple growing islands all over the world, from Martinique and Guadeloupe to New Caledonia, going the long way around the globe. 

To be fair, I’d think a *French* Daiquiri ought to be made with rhum agricole, since that style (made from sugarcane juice instead of the more common molasses-based rums) originated from French cane fields on Martinique and Guadeloupe. But this drink’s creator, Simon Difford, called for a light white rum instead, and who am I to argue with Simon? I’ll go with the extremely-French Chambord as what makes it a French Daiquiri—and I’ll pretend Wegmans pineapple comes from a French tropical island. 

The recipe is a little generous—not as in, “I can’t drink it all,” but as in, “your recipe calls for five ounces of ingredients, plus bitters and ice melt; what were you thinking when you said, ‘serve in a coupe?'” It will fit in a good-sized coupe or large Martini glass, but would also be just as enjoyable in a Collins glass, or even in a highball glass with some ice, and it would hold up to some dilution. And an umbrella. And a straw.

Whatever vessel you choose, this is a delicious one!

FRENCH DAIQUIRI
2½ oz Light rum (I used Foursquare’s Probitas, which is GREAT)
1½ oz Freshly squeezed pineapple juice
½ oz Chambord or other black raspberry liqueur 
½ oz Freshly squeezed lime juice
Optional: 3 dashes of Fee Brothers cardamom bitters

Combine all the ingredients in a shaker, fill the shaker with ice and shake for 15-20 seconds until well chilled. Strain into your serving glass and garnish with a pineapple wedge.

About our Cocktail of the Week partners—shop local and independent!
Cooks’ World and Pinnacle Wine & Liquor are less than a mile from each other, on Monroe Avenue near Twelve Corners in Brighton.

Cooks’ World, in business since 1978, is Rochester’s premier retailer of dining, kitchen, and cooking products, including a complete selection of glassware, mixology tools, and accessories for wine and spirits lovers. Follow Cooks’ World on Facebook and Instagram. Sign up here to receive Cooks’ World’s daily email specials and other news. 

Pinnacle Wine & Liquor, in business since 1997, offers a thoughtfully curated selection of spirits and wine from around the world, with a savvy staff to assist in your selection and encourage you along your cocktail and wine journey. Follow Pinnacle on Facebook and Instagram. For the inside track on Pinnacle’s spirits sales, send two text messages to (585)765-7546:
— Text the word “bourbon,” to receive weekly text messages offering the chance to buy rare or allocated whiskies or special prices on popular products.
—Text the word “spirits,” to receive roughly monthly offers on fine spirits other than whiskies.