Kabawa Daiquiri

Name: Kabawa Daiquiri
Yield: 10
Cuisine: American

Recipe: Kathryn "Pepper" Stashek , Bar Kabawa , New York City

Photo: Andrew Bezek

March 16, 2026

Shaved ice and key lime make for the ultimate refreshment.

To replicate the Daiquiris served in Havana cantinas during the 1930s and ’40s, Bar Kabawa blends together key and Persian lime juices. Key limes are the preferred lime for cocktails in Cuba versus Persian limes, which aren’t widely available in the Caribbean. Since a little key lime goes a long way, the intense flavor and juice are bolstered and tempered here by the milder and juicier Persian limes.

Ingredients

2 oz. Caribbean rum
1 oz. lime juice blend (3 parts Persian lime juice to 1 part Key lime juice)
1 Tbsp. granulated organic cane sugar
3 drops saline solution

Tools:immersion blender or barspoon, shaker
Glass:coupe and sidecar

Preparation

Add the lime juices and sugar to a shaker and use an immersion blender or a barspoon to dissolve the sugar. Add the saline and rum to the shaker, dry shake (shake without ice), and pour into the sidecar glass. Weigh out 2 1/2 oz. of shaved ice in the coupe. When ready to serve, pour the sidecar of cocktail slowly over the shaved ice.
Saline Solution (25%)Add 2 3/4 Tbsp. of kosher salt to 7 oz. of distilled water and blend until salt dissolves. Store at room temperature.