Hemingway Special
The Hemingway Special is a strong rum sour, tart and fruity on the palate. Shaken and served in a cocktail glass. It's one of the International Bartenders Association's official contemporary classics cocktails.
- 3 min
- Cocktail glass
- Shaken
Flavor profile
- Tart
- 77 out of 100
- Sweet
- 41 out of 100
- Fruity
- 58 out of 100
- Bitter
- 34 out of 100
- Boozy
- 59 out of 100
How to make a Hemingway Special
To make a Hemingway Special, shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass: 1⅓ oz rum, 1 oz grapefruit juice, ⅓ oz Maraschino Liqueur and ⅓ oz lime juice.
You'll need
- Rum1⅓ oz
- Grapefruit Juice1 oz
- Maraschino Liqueur⅓ oz
- Lime Juice⅓ oz
Instructions
- 1
Chill a cocktail glass: fill it with ice and water while you mix, then tip it out.
- 2
Add rum, grapefruit juice, maraschino liqueur and lime juice to a cocktail shaker.
- 3
Fill the shaker with ice.
- 4
Shake hard for 10-15 seconds, until the outside is frosty.
- 5
Strain into the chilled cocktail glass.
Why shake? Grapefruit juice and lime juice need a hard shake to mix and chill properly.
Hemingway Special questions
What does a Hemingway Special taste like, and is it sweet?
Lightly sweet, not sugary: it's mostly tart and fruity. It's a strong drink at about 18% ABV once mixed.
How much alcohol is in a Hemingway Special?
About 18% ABV after mixing with ice, stronger than wine, lighter than a neat spirit.
What's the difference between a Hemingway Special and a Casa Blanca?
Both use rum, Maraschino Liqueur and lime juice. The Hemingway Special adds grapefruit juice, while the Casa Blanca uses Triple sec. The Casa Blanca is the stronger of the two.
Should a Hemingway Special be shaken or stirred?
Shaken: grapefruit juice and lime juice need a hard shake to mix and chill properly.
How do I make a pitcher of Hemingway Specials?
For 6 drinks, mix 8⅓ oz rum, 5½ oz grapefruit juice, 2 oz Maraschino Liqueur and 2 oz lime juice in a jug and chill it. Add 3⅔ oz of cold water to stand in for the dilution from shaking. Pour over fresh ice to serve.
What glass do you serve a Hemingway Special in?
A cocktail glass.