Post #200651 by finkdaddy on Tue, Nov 29, 2005 4:43 PM

First off, I have to thank Scispy for sending me a copy of Bartender's Guide by Trader Vic. Thank you, thank you, thank you! So tonight I decided to try a Bacardi Silver Cocktail. I liked it so much I had another. A combination of the drinks, a long mind-numbing day at work, and reading my new book put me in a strange, melancholy mood.

Most of you probably now this, but at what point did Trader Vic become associated with tiki? The book, written in 1947, doesn't have much by the way of "tiki" drinks. Was Hinky Dinks what we would call a tiki bar? When was Hinky Dinks first opened, and when did he begin opening other restaurants? I guess I'd really like to know more about Trader Vic. Is there any kind of Trader Vic biography? Pointing me in the direction of more info would be kind of you.

Many of the recipes in the book use Bacardi rum. Do you think there is a big difference between the Bacardi that was being produced in the 40's and the kind that is mass produced today?

My dad claims to have been drunk on a bottle of Cruzan Black Strap when he was in the Navy. I know Cruzan has existed for decades, but I always assumed Black Strap was a modern thing. Am I wrong, or is my dad wrong?

Has anyone ever had a liqueur called Swedish Punch? I'm just wondering what it tasted like.

Ok, I'm done for now. I'm thinking of moving on the the Pancho Villa Cocktail, so I might talk to you soon. Or maybe not. :wink: :drink:

Thank you for listening to my anoying questions. I now return you to your regularly scheduled reading.