Post #769594 by Hurricane Hayward on Sat, Oct 22, 2016 11:47 AM

Just updated with new photos and a recently uncovered ancestor recipe: Our review and recipes for The Mai-Kai's classic Demerara Float, as featured at the September book release parties at The Mai-Kai ...

http://www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/blog/2012/09/07/lost-cocktails-of-the-mai-kai-the-classic-demerara-float-rises-again/

A Demerara Float recipe was discovered in "Mr. Lemon Hart’s Tropical Treats" (1973). The book says it was "created at the Mai-Kai Polynesian Restaurant, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida." We don't doubt it, since the book was edited by Leonce Picot, an assistant manager at The Mai-Kai from 1957 until 1967.

Picot was a key member of The Mai-Kai's early management team, credited with helping conceive and launch the Mystery Drink, according to "Mai-Kai: History and Mystery of the Iconic Tiki Restaurant." In 2011, Swanky interviewed Picot, who still lives in South Florida, about his role in the creation of the iconic drink. You can find the story on pages 47-55.

Mahalo to Swanky for providing some additional info:

While still at The Mai-Kai, Picot edited a series of books spotlighting restaurants and recipes from around the world. The books – including "Gourmet International's Recommended Restaurants of Puerto Rico" (1961) and "Great Restaurants of the United States and Their Recipes" (1966) – were financed by The Mai-Kai’s owners, Bob and Jack Thornton. The books were illustrated by Al Kocab, known for his distinctive artwork for The Mai-Kai.

Picot was also the Southeast manager of Rums of Puerto Rico. He left The Mai-Kai in 1967 to open the Downunder, which also had recipes in the Lemon Hart book. Picot was "drink editor" of "Mr. Lemon Hart’s Tropical Treats," a paperback that includes more than 125 food and rum cocktail recipes, selling for a mere 95 cents in 1973. Good luck finding it at that price today. Used copies fetch more than $50 on Amazon. See all of Picot's books: http://amzn.to/2eR4rxM