Post #367649 by GatorRob on Tue, Mar 18, 2008 5:26 AM

I feel very fortunate to have recently found this rare cocktail glass, an original Derby Daiquiri glass from the Mai-Kai. These are, of course, the glasses that were specially designed for the Derby Daiquiri cocktail, invented by original head mixologist for the Mai-Kai, Mariano Licudine. (And a little back story for those who don't already know... He invented the recipe in response to a contest that Bacardi was sponsoring with Gulfstream Race Track in 1960. Mariano’s recipe won the contest and subsequently the Derby Daiquiri was named the official drink of the annual Florida Derby.)

I took the glass with me to the Mai-Kai and enjoyed a Derby Daiquiri in it. I don't believe one has seen the inside of the Mai-Kai since the 60s. Maybe Mariano and the Thornton brothers were smiling down on me? (Well, Kern was anyway!)

Here's my picture (I should have ditched the straw -- sorry):

And Bob Thornton holding one back in the day: