Post #720634 by LostIsland on Fri, Jun 20, 2014 3:39 PM

Unfortunately, there really isn't a way to conclusively prove or disprove the claim. It was addressed and discussed briefly in "the DVD of Tiki", but ultimately boils down to one word against the other. Honestly, I think Ray's version sounds more likely than some of Gantt's (Donn Beach) explanations, but still it boils down to who you believe.

Even so, if true I don't know that I would call Gantt a conman, but rather a showman trying to create an image and persona that enhanced the atmosphere and experience of his patrons. Gantt creating these drinks makes for a better story than "I hired these guys and they developed some good drinks."

Ray wouldn't really have anything to gain by claiming he and other Filipino bartenders created the drinks. I would also tend to believe that someone making drinks all day is probably more likely to create new ones than somebody that is often tied up with all the other details related to operating a successful polynesian establishment.