Post #543441 by Hurricane Hayward on Mon, Jul 19, 2010 4:36 PM

Swanky,

I did a side-by-side comparison of "BK's Black Magic" and "Swanky's Magic" (Grogalizer rating and comments coming soon). Then I went down to the Mai-Kai for the real deal. The verdict? I have to give you guys props for a valiant effort but I'm afraid you're both missing some key elements. The first giveaway is the color: The inviting reddish hue of the original is nowhere to be found in the brownish drinks I made following your recipes.

To my tastebuds, BK comes the closest but I think it's way too heavy on the Cuatrenta Y Tres. I'd cut back on that. In both drinks, the use of the coffee brandy seems to be on the mark but I'm almost certain you're both missing another juice or rum or both. And it's highly likely the Mai-Kai is using an impossible-to-duplicate syrup or spice.

However, let me again compliment you both on the effort and I'm definitely keeping these recipes on file for those nights when I'm hankering for a Black Magic (or Mutiny or Hukilau) and I need the closest approximation.