Post #314812 by telescopes on Mon, Jun 25, 2007 1:14 PM

Thanks for responding so quickly about the use of Barbados rums. I'm going to get some MG Eclipse tonight. The nice thing about Barbados rums is their availability. Sandiagodan maintains that he has bought me an extra bottle of St. James, but I've yet to see the scoundrel anywhere. His excuse is that it makes a bitter Mai Tai.

Anyway, its nice to hear that the Barbados substitution is a viable alternative: And, if it is in all probability that the purpose of the Martinique Rum isto add a certain element of say nuttiness to the flavor of the Mai Tai - one that was lost when the 17 year old W@N Jamaican became unavailable, then it is our role to find a substitution - one that isn't necessarily limited to the Martinique.

Trader Vic's uses its own blend that may or may not be an authentic heir to the origonal. That being stated, the modern bar tender's role is not to be limited to ingedients printed in a third or fourth revision of a recipe from TV's, but rather to find those ingredients that best recreate what the intent of the origonal was. Chip and Andy seem to have a fantastic nose for this and have done a great job describing the bouquets and flavors of those ingredients that constitute the core of the Mai Tai. On this discussion page, you start with the small and work your way to the main attraction. Now here is a challenge that can take this discussion to the next level.

Try deconstructing (working backwards) the aromas, flavors, and tastes of an origonal Mai Tai or one that is as close to the origonal as possible, and then match today's shelf ingredients in a manner that reproduces that sensation.

For instance, what did the Trader smell and taste in his orgeat, curacao, and rums when the final product was concocted. What do we have today that approximates those sensations?

What do we have today that is easily available to approximate those sensations?

Remember, if one wants only authenticity in regards to Polynesian life, one can spend the money to hop on a plane and go to Tahiti. However, if one wishes to escape only for just an evening, then you only need to find a local Poly Palace.

Accessibility is a key component in terms of defining the tiki ideal. So, what is there today that can help most of us have that accessible Mai Tai? Remember, even TV changed his recipes as the whims of accessibility dictated change.

Thank you, and happy mixing!