
For my Savannah friends, I’ll admit the word “daiquiri” evokes a vision of River Street’s Wet Willies and their dozens of whirling slushie machines. Little did I know that in reality, a true daiquiri is a classic and balanced cocktail driven by a traditional Caribbean rhyme – “One of sour, two of sweet, three of strong, four of weak.” The Aku Aku is a classic tropical play on the daiquiri, created by Victor “Trader Vic” Bergeron as a direct, riff-style adaptation of Don the Beachcomber’s famous 1930s cocktail, the Missionary’s Downfall itself a daiquiri variant. Trader Vic officially first published the recipe in his 1972 Bartender’s Guide, swapping out honey and lemon for demerara and Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice,
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz White Rum
- 1/2 oz Peach Liqueur
- 1/2 oz Peach Syrup
- 1 oz Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice
- 8 leaves Mint
- 5 Chunks 1-Inch Fresh Pineapple or 3/4 oz Pineapple Juice
Method
- Muddle pineapple in drink mixer tin.
- Add remaining ingredients and 12 oz.. crushed ice and shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
- Double strain into a chilled coupe.
- Float a large mint leaf on the surface of the drink.