Post #225916 by thinkingbartender on Mon, Apr 10, 2006 4:27 AM

Bounce

Trader Vic claims to have invented the Mai Tai in 1944, yet doesn't mention the Mai Tai in his 1947 book, why?

I found this quote on the American Dialect Society:

"As everyone knows, "Trader Vic" (Victor Bergeron) created the "Mai-Tai" in 1944. It says so in his 1972 book."

Apparently the earliest reference to the Mai Tai is from 1961:

From GOURMET, July 1961, pg. 44, col. 3:

Q. Can you tell me how to make mai-tai--a drink made of rum, fruit juices, and honey? HARRY E. OHLRICH WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, OHIO

A. Here's how they make mai-tai at one hotel bar. Other barkeeps add a cherry to the garnish or float an orchid on the drink.

Mai-Tai Royal Hawaiian

"Pour into a glass 1 jigger each of light and dark Jamaica rum. Add the juice of 1 lime and half the shell, and a dash each of orgeat syrup, rock candy syrup, and orange Curacao. Garnish the drink with a sprig of mint, a pineapple stick, and a sugar cane stick. Fill the glass with shaved ice."

Does anyone have any links, quotes from the court case between Don the Beachcomber and Trader Vic which involved the Mai Tai?

How did Trader Vic win?

Cheers!

George