A Spiritous Journey through Remixed - From the Astro Aku Aku to the Zadaran Storm - Tiki Drinks and Food

D Destro100 Tiki Socialite Joined: Jun 28, 2012 Posts: 137	D Destro100 Posted posted on Mon, May 19, 2014 5:10 AM On 2014-05-16 22:03, Hurricane Hayward wrote: Destro100, Good to have you back in the saddle. I'll try to offer some applause from the back of the room when I can. I know I could use a nudge to keep plowing through "Potions of the Caribbean." I've knocked down 41 with 11 more still TBD (to be drunk). I'm skipping seven in that book, so seeing you tackle "Remixed" in its entirety is encouraging. You've just covered several drinks that The Mai-Kai has elevated even higher, so I'll chime in with a few comments from that perspective (plus some shameless plugs). I'm not a huge fan of the 151 Swizzle in its raw form. As you point out, it's not for everyone. But somehow Mariano Licudine took this scorchingly strong drink and made it palatable to the masses without reducing the firepower. I've had no complaints when I recommend it to folks, and it's No. 3 on my Mai-Kai Top 10. Before Lemon Hart 151 returned to the bar, they actually used Bacardi 151, and it was not as bad as you would think. But obviously LH makes a huge difference. So does the addition of falernum and grenadine, which makes it much more accessible. http://www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/blog/2011/08/03/mai-kai-cocktail-review-robust-flavors-and-potency-are-hallmark-of-151-swizzle/ Never Say Die does seem overly complicated for no reason. You're spot-on in choosing those rums, which are coincidentally also among the ones that I recommend. I don't rate it as highly as you do, but then I've had The Mai-Kai's Oh So Deadly. In that version, the drink gets a nice flavor kick from some cinnamon syrup, and the rums include Lemon Hart and The Mai-Kai's signature dark Jamaican, Kohala Bay. Definitely one of the best of the mild drinks on the menu. http://www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/blog/2011/10/22/mai-kai-cocktail-review-a-delicious-and-oh-so-deadly-treat/ Okole maluna! Hey Hurricane, I think I'm heading back to the Mai Kai in July and will definitely try their 151 Swizzle. How could the addition of falernum ever be bad? It sounds like a great upgrade. I may have to sample their Never Say Die as well; I always tend to go for the Black Magic or something else unique to their menu. Obviously, more research is required. Thanks for the feedback.

On 2014-05-16 22:03, Hurricane Hayward wrote:
Destro100,

Good to have you back in the saddle. I'll try to offer some applause from the back of the room when I can. I know I could use a nudge to keep plowing through "Potions of the Caribbean." I've knocked down 41 with 11 more still TBD (to be drunk). I'm skipping seven in that book, so seeing you tackle "Remixed" in its entirety is encouraging. You've just covered several drinks that The Mai-Kai has elevated even higher, so I'll chime in with a few comments from that perspective (plus some shameless plugs).

I'm not a huge fan of the 151 Swizzle in its raw form. As you point out, it's not for everyone. But somehow Mariano Licudine took this scorchingly strong drink and made it palatable to the masses without reducing the firepower. I've had no complaints when I recommend it to folks, and it's No. 3 on my Mai-Kai Top 10. Before Lemon Hart 151 returned to the bar, they actually used Bacardi 151, and it was not as bad as you would think. But obviously LH makes a huge difference. So does the addition of falernum and grenadine, which makes it much more accessible.
http://www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/blog/2011/08/03/mai-kai-cocktail-review-robust-flavors-and-potency-are-hallmark-of-151-swizzle/

Never Say Die does seem overly complicated for no reason. You're spot-on in choosing those rums, which are coincidentally also among the ones that I recommend. I don't rate it as highly as you do, but then I've had The Mai-Kai's Oh So Deadly. In that version, the drink gets a nice flavor kick from some cinnamon syrup, and the rums include Lemon Hart and The Mai-Kai's signature dark Jamaican, Kohala Bay. Definitely one of the best of the mild drinks on the menu.
http://www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/blog/2011/10/22/mai-kai-cocktail-review-a-delicious-and-oh-so-deadly-treat/

Okole maluna!

Hey Hurricane,

I think I'm heading back to the Mai Kai in July and will definitely try their 151 Swizzle. How could the addition of falernum ever be bad? It sounds like a great upgrade. I may have to sample their Never Say Die as well; I always tend to go for the Black Magic or something else unique to their menu. Obviously, more research is required.

Thanks for the feedback.

Post #717447 by Destro100 on Mon, May 19, 2014 5:10 AM