Nuclear Daiquiri recipe
An intense, high-octane modern classic marrying funky overproof rum with herbal green chartreuse.
Method: Shake and fine strain ·
Glass: Chilled coupe glass ·
Time: 3 min ·
Difficulty: Advanced ·
Family: The Daiquiri Family
Ingredients
- 60 ml Overproof white Jamaican rum (Wray & Nephew recommended)
- 22.5 ml Green Chartreuse
- 15 ml Velvet falernum
- 22.5 ml Fresh lime juice
How to make a Nuclear Daiquiri
- Chill a coupe glass in the freezer.
- Measure the overproof Jamaican rum, Green Chartreuse, velvet falernum, and fresh lime juice into a cocktail shaker.
- Fill the shaker with quality ice cubes.
- Shake vigorously for ten to twelve seconds until thoroughly chilled.
- Fine strain the liquid into the chilled coupe glass.
Garnish
Garnish with a fresh lime wheel floated on top.
Pro tip
Because overproof rum and Green Chartreuse dominate the spirit bill, precise measuring is critical to prevent the alcohol from overpowering the lime and falernum. Adjust the falernum slightly if you prefer a less herbal finish.
History of the Nuclear Daiquiri
Created around the mid-2000s at London's LAB bar by bartender Gregor de Gruyther, the Nuclear Daiquiri emerged as part of a wave of extreme modern classic cocktails pushing high-proof spirits and herbal liqueurs into classical sour frameworks. While widely credited to the LAB bar team during London's cocktail renaissance, exact developmental attributions remain subject to oral accounts within the bartending community. The drink gained cult status for successfully balancing potent Jamaican overproof rum with assertive Green Chartreuse and falernum.
Flavour profile
Herbal, Tart, Funky, Pungent
Variations
- Yellow Nuclear Daiquiri — Substitute Yellow Chartreuse for Green Chartreuse to soften the herbal profile with milder, honeyed sweetness.
- Cask-Strength Daiquiri — Swap the Jamaican overproof rum for unaged navy-strength rum while keeping the Chartreuse and lime proportions intact.
Practise making the Nuclear Daiquiri in the free Virtual Bar game.