The daiquiri is a cocktail classic that in recent decades unfortunately fell into the arms of those devilish frozen margarita machines, and came out all wrong. While the name is now maligned — associated with something syrupy and sweet — the drink is making a comeback in its true form. By its most essential definition, a daiquiri is any drink with a rum base and mixed with citrus and a sweetener. As it happens, this July 19 is National Daiquiri Day, so raise a glass and call it a comeback with one of these six must-try versions around the city.

Walk, Don't Run at Pouring Ribbons:  Best known for its Chartreuse flights, the whole drink list at this East Village neo-speakeasy is clever. This take on the daiquiri features three-year-old El Dorado rum, lemon, rhubarb syrup, egg white and unicum plum (225 Avenue B, 2nd Fl.; 917-656-6788).

Paso a Paso at Miranda: Find a strong twist on the classic in Williamsburg, where this cocktail blends Atlantico Reserva Dominican rum with vermouth, orange liqueur, cucumber and lime (80 Berry St., Brooklyn; 718-387-0711). 

Kiwi's Big Adventure at Clover Club: This Cobble Hill bar has been at the forefront of New York cocktail culture for a long time, but still never fails to impress. The adorably named drink is no different, made with kiwi-infused rum, lime juice and bitters (210 Smith St.; 718-855-7939). 

Rum Buck at Dutch Kills: On the more refreshing end is this sip from the Long Island City favorite. The glass combines fresh lime juice, rum, soda water and bitters with plenty of gingery kick (via a house-made syrup as well as a piece of candy on top), and it will have going back for seconds (27-24 Jackson Ave., Queens; 718-383-2724). 

Mary Pickford at The Astor Room: Mary Pickford was a classy dame and a female trailblazer in the movie industry who co-founded United Artists. This drink at the Astoria bar has all her kick and drive, with Cruzan Silver rum, maraschino liqueur, grenadine and fresh pineapple juice (34-12 36th St., Queens; 718-255-1947). 

Hemingway Daiquiri at Lucey's Lounge: While this Gowanus lounge offers an extensive list of rum cocktails for the summer, sometimes it's just great to lean on an old favorite. With Flor de Cana White rum, fresh lime, grapefruit juice and topped with Maraschino liqueur, this version certainly does the classic justice (479 3rd Ave., Brooklyn; 718-877-1075).  

Photo by Danya Henninger