The Acapulco cocktail is, true to its name, a beach postcard in a glass: pale and snowy at first glance, yet bright with citrus the moment it touches your lips. Smooth white rum lays a light, sunny base, Cointreau weaves in sweet orange, a splash of lemon sharpens the edges, and egg white, shaken hard, rises into a silky foam that drifts across the top like a breaking wave.
Shake one tonight and let a little Pacific sunshine into your evening.
Recipe & How to Make
Ingredients
Recipe no.131
- White Rum — 1 + 1/3 oz (40ml)
- Cointreau — 1/2 oz (15ml)
- Lemon Juice — 1 tsp (5ml)
- Sugar — 1 tsp
- Egg White — 1/2
※ 1 tsp = one bar spoon
※ This recipe uses raw egg white. To reduce the risk of salmonella, we recommend using pasteurized eggs.
8 Recommended White Rum brands
Directions
Chill the glass beforehand, or fill it with ice, then discard the ice and water just before pouring. Chill the shaker the same way: add ice, stir well, then pour off the water. Lightly beating the egg white in a small bowl first makes the drink much easier to get right.
Add the white rum, Cointreau, lemon juice, sugar, egg white and ice to the shaker.
Shake well, then strain into the glass. Because the drink contains egg white, give it a long, vigorous shake.
・Technique ｜ Shake
・Glass ｜ Cocktail Glass
・ABV ｜ About 27–28%
・Best Enjoyed ｜ All Day
Acapulco ｜ Details & Video
Origin & Features
The Acapulco takes its name from the famous resort city on Mexico’s Pacific coast. The town became a jet-set playground in the 1950s and ’60s, celebrated in films like Elvis Presley’s Fun in Acapulco (1963). Who first created the cocktail remains unknown.
White rum’s light sweetness meets Cointreau’s orange aroma, lemon tightens the finish, and egg white adds a silky, creamy texture. I always shake it hard, because the egg white needs real energy to turn into that velvety foam.
Points, Twists & Food Pairings
Tips for Making It
- Dry shake first, then shake with ice. A common mistake is shaking just briefly with ice. The cold sets the egg white before it can whip up, leaving a thin, flat foam. Shake everything without ice first, then add ice and shake again. I always dry shake first, because it builds a thick, silky foam every time.
- Dissolve the sugar fully. Granulated sugar dissolves slowly in cold liquid and can leave a gritty texture. Use superfine sugar or a little simple syrup for a perfectly smooth sip.
- Double strain for a velvety finish. Pour through a fine strainer as well as the shaker’s strainer. It catches tiny ice chips and egg bits, leaving a clean, creamy foam.
This recipe uses raw egg white. To reduce the risk of salmonella, we recommend using pasteurized eggs.
Twists
- Minty Acapulco — Garnish with a fresh mint sprig. Its cool aroma lifts the citrus and adds a breezy, tropical feel.
- Lime Acapulco — Swap the lemon juice for lime. The sharper, zestier acidity gives a brighter, more Latin American character.
- Golden Acapulco — Use gold rum instead of white rum. Its gentle vanilla and caramel notes add richer depth.
Food Pairings
- Shrimp tacos — Sweet shrimp and zesty lime salsa echo the drink’s citrus, while the creamy foam softens any spice.
- Guacamole and tortilla chips — Rich avocado and salty chips meet bright citrus acidity that keeps every bite fresh.
- Coconut macaroons — Toasty coconut matches the rum’s tropical warmth, and Cointreau’s orange keeps the sweetness lively.
Recipe video
- The video shows a recipe without egg whites.
- Recipe video ｜ Muse Amuse Channel Home
Acapulco Cocktail: Silky 5-Ingredient Rum & Cointreau Recipe
Make the Acapulco cocktail with white rum, Cointreau, lemon and egg white for a silky, citrusy foam. A 5-ingredient beach-inspired classic, easy to shake.
タイプ: Cocktail
料理: International
キーワード: Acapulco cocktail, white rum cocktail, rum sour with egg white, Cointreau cocktail, egg white cocktail, beach cocktail, rum and Cointreau
レシピー歩留まり: 1 drink
準備時間: PT4M
所要時間: PT4M
レシピー材料:
- White Rum — 1 + 1/3 oz (40ml)
- Cointreau — 1/2 oz (15ml)
- Lemon Juice — 1 tsp (5ml)
- Sugar — 1 tsp
- Egg White — 1/2
レシピーの説明:
Prepare:
- Chill the glass beforehand, or fill it with ice, then discard the ice and water just before pouring. Chill the shaker the same way: add ice, stir well, then pour off the water. Lightly beating the egg white in a small bowl first makes the drink much easier to get right.
Combine:
- Add the white rum, Cointreau, lemon juice, sugar, egg white and ice to the shaker.
Shake:
- Shake well, then strain into the glass. Because the drink contains egg white, give it a long, vigorous shake.
