Post #440040 by Digitiki on Sat, Mar 14, 2009 9:53 PM

I just returned from Kona/Don the Beachcomber's where TIkiyaki and I talked with the drink consultant and Chuck, the owner. We were privileged enough to be treated to two of the new Don drinks that will grace the new drink menu. I know there is a real thing about letting the cat out of the bag here on TC, but I have to write in and tell you that the drinks we experienced were impeccable. We sampled the Mai Tai (Don's version) and the Cherry Blossom Punch. First I want to say that any tiki drink enthusiast will know there has always been an ongoing issue between Don the Beachcomber's and Trader Vic's mai tais. So this mai tai at Don's was very different from a TV mai tai. However, it was an amazing taste sensation and stands on its own as an exotic cocktail. If you ware familar with Kona & Sam's old drinks, you will be blown away by these. Ryan, the bartender/consultant served us cocktails that are truly gourmet concoctions that are extremely complex in character. I can say that the two drinks we experienced were on par with the Mai Kai! The restaurant now makes their own falernum; and it is delicate and very deep in flavor. The mai tai uses this falernum along with other citrus juices (I tasted a hint of grapefruit) and I can say that it was an amazing, complex cocktail that true exotic drink aficionados will appreciate--with hints of spices too. The Cherry Blossom Punch was a delicious pink cocktail that was made with real cherry (no cheap syrup) and had an equal complexity that is missing from almost every single tiki drink establishment LA. It as a sweet, but refreshing (not syrupy sweet) cocktail that is delicate and deep!

They are going to roll out 10 of these new cocktails for now, with plans to eventually have up to 60 Don's exotics in total.

Drink up me hearty's, yo ho!!!!