Not everyone wants sweet. Some want clean lines, sharp flavors, and zero fluff. That's exactly what the Hemingway Special Cocktail delivers. Inspired by Ernest Hemingway's bold, no-frills lifestyle, this cocktail swaps sugar for bite, mixing white rum, grapefruit, lime, and maraschino liqueur into a tart, bracing pour that wakes you up.
In Los Angeles, where wellness and edge go hand-in-hand, it's the drink of choice for guests who don't need to be convinced—they just want it poured right.
Ingredients (One Serving)
- 2 oz White Rum
- ¾ oz Fresh Lime Juice
- ½ oz Fresh Grapefruit Juice
- ½ oz Maraschino Liqueur
- Glass: Coupe
- Garnish: Grapefruit twist or dehydrated lime wheel
- Ice (for shaking)
LA Local Tip: Party Shakers sources fresh California citrus and often replaces standard rum with craft white rum from Lost Spirits or Mulholland. Want a deeper twist? Ask for a split base using light agricole or even mezcal for smokier versions.
How to Make It – Hemingway, LA Style
Chill your glass. This drink deserves to be ice-cold. Always serve it up—no dilution, no distraction.
Shake all ingredients with ice. Combine rum, lime, grapefruit, and maraschino. Shake hard for 15 seconds.
Double strain into your coupe. The pour should be smooth and lean, just like the drinker it's named after.
Garnish with intent. A grapefruit twist if you want citrus oil on the nose. Dehydrated lime for a cleaner visual hit.
Why The Hemingway Special Cocktail Hits in LA
It's lean. It's refined. And it's got just enough bitterness to feel grown-up. Perfect for:
- Open-air brunches in Topanga
- Poetry readings in Highland Park
- Fashion mixers in Downtown LA
- Minimalist weddings in Venice
This is the drink that speaks to guests who know what they want—and don't want a sugar bomb to get there.
FAQs
Is this cocktail sweet?
No. This is citrus-dominant, dry, and refreshing. The maraschino adds aroma and complexity—not sweetness.
Is it good for daytime events?
It's ideal. The low sugar and sharp acidity make it one of our top daytime sippers for LA brunches, art shows, and beach events.
Can you customize it?
Yes. For parties, Party Shakers can create a "Hemingway Bar" with custom twists using mezcal, aged rum, or grapefruit foam toppers.
Book the Cocktail That Doesn't Sugarcoat Anything – Hemingway Special in LA
Tart, crisp, and no-nonsense—the Hemingway Special is the perfect pour for events that want flavor with character. Party Shakers will shake it to exacting standards and serve it ice-cold, no compromises. We also have other great drinks available.
✅ Available across Los Angeles County: Venice, Arts District, Malibu, West LA
✅ Optional grapefruit foam, salt rims, or "Caribbean Hemingway" mezcal riffs
✅ Perfect for literary events, wellness brunches, or dry-style cocktail menus
✅ Served by Party Shakers mixologists who know this isn't a drink—it's a statement
Book Party Shakers – Serve the Hemingway Special and Let Your Event Say More by Saying Less