Tiki Central / Tiki Drinks and Food
Shrunken Skull
TMOE
The Mayor Of Exotica
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Wed, May 2, 2007 2:26 PM
This is a unique drink, from the Mai-Kai. Anyone got the recipe? Got Skull? |
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DemeraraDrinker
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Thu, May 3, 2007 9:25 AM
This is in either Grog Log or Exotica. I think it had about 4 ingredients...something like 1 oz lime juice Its good, and fairly quick to make. |
TMOE
The Mayor Of Exotica
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Thu, May 3, 2007 11:46 AM
Thanks, Dem; I remember the grenadine, and also the cinnamon stick garnish/straw. I remember it was very tasty. That's about all I remember. |
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GentleHangman
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Thu, May 3, 2007 1:33 PM
Shrunken Skull: Grog Log, Pg. 75 |
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GentleHangman
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Fri, May 4, 2007 2:25 PM
I just made a couple of "Shrunken Skulls" . . . or was it a few "Shrunken Skulls" . . . I'm not sure - I lost count. |
TMOE
The Mayor Of Exotica
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Mon, May 7, 2007 11:32 AM
I have done some research, and the 4-ingredient skull lacks something that the Mai-Kai one has. I remember the cinnamon stick, and possibly a few drops of bitters added body to the flavor, as did a splash of grapefruit, as suggested by Bargoyle. I think we're onto something here. This research is grueling and difficult, but oh, so gratifying! |
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DemeraraDrinker
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Tue, May 8, 2007 9:09 AM
The 4 ingredient Skull was working pretty well when I had company over and we were going through them like Sherman went through Atlanta. Having only 4 ingredients helped when making them over and over. That page in my Grog Log is pretty splattered. I will get to the Mai Kai someday, and I'll try their version. |
TMOE
The Mayor Of Exotica
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Mon, May 14, 2007 6:18 AM
I was at Pablus's house yesterday, got a look at his Grog Log, and looked up the Shrunken Skull. It actually calls for one oz. of Puerto Rican rum, and one of Demerara rum. Not sure how much effect that would have on the taste, but it must be some. What is the difference between Demerara rum and other rums? [ Edited by: The Mayor Of Exotica 2007-05-14 06:19 ] |
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GatorRob
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Wed, May 16, 2007 10:13 AM
Demerara rums come from the Demerara region of Guyana, just to the north of Brazil, along the Demerara river. Popular brands of rum from the region include Lemon Hart and El Dorado. Lemon Hart, though difficult to find, is essential for a properly stocked tiki bar. Pablus didn't explain all this when you were there? :D |
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Swanky
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Wed, May 16, 2007 10:37 AM
The Mai Kai's original master mixologist, Mariano Licudine was Don the Beachcomber trained. It is BK's belief, and I concur, that his secret ingredient is often Licor 43. Many of the Mai Kai recipes are slight changes on the originals, and often, that special taste is Licor 43. I never tried their version however. I will maybe see in June... |
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DemeraraDrinker
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Wed, May 16, 2007 1:13 PM
What Gator said. To add to it, Demerara rum often has a smokey, leathery, chewy flavor. This is what endears it to me. |
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GatorRob
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Wed, May 16, 2007 2:59 PM
Please, it's Rob, between friends. "Gator" is so formal-like. (Or completely dorkish and hick-like.) Chewy? |
TMOE
The Mayor Of Exotica
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Thu, May 17, 2007 9:31 AM
Ahh, Licor 43; so named for the fact that it is composed of 43 different ingredients. I use it in a coffee drink I learned to make in Tenerife. Thanks, Swanky, that's probably exactly what I was looking for! |
TMOE
The Mayor Of Exotica
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Thu, May 17, 2007 9:35 AM
Thanks for the info! It's great to have access to such well-informed connoisseurs. And that's a description I can taste! |
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DemeraraDrinker
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Fri, May 18, 2007 7:30 AM
Hmmm, should have said its chewy, not the flavor is chewy. Chewy as in there is a lot of body and richness there, a lot to grab ahold of. |
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DemeraraDrinker
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Fri, May 18, 2007 7:31 AM
Yeah, the Bum has a thing for this stuff, too. Its in some of his recipes, especially his original recipes. I just picked up Alize--I guess 43 is on the list now. |
TMOE
The Mayor Of Exotica
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Mon, May 21, 2007 6:22 AM
I tried a Skull with Key Lime Juice and Licor 43, and I think I pretty much hit it! Very flavorful, very tangy! Unfortunately, the rum was not up to the task, but with those ingredients, and some imagination, I could see how the Demerrara rum would be an integral part of the flavor. |
TMOE
The Mayor Of Exotica
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Mon, Jun 4, 2007 8:38 AM
Well, the Professah and I have been continuing the research, and surveys show the cinnamon sticks are the key. We have downed several tasty skulls, and the effect a whole cinnamon stick has on the flavor brings it to a new level. Does anyone have any recommendations about the brand of Grenadine? |
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DemeraraDrinker
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Mon, Jun 4, 2007 10:37 AM
I would recommend Stirrings Authentic Grenadine. http://www.stirrings.com/ingredientsgrenadine.php About $5-$6 a bottle. Not as sweet as Rose's and not as neon red/fake tasting. |
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jingleheimerschmidt
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Tue, Jun 5, 2007 2:53 PM
If you don't mind....what is your recipe for the skull? Or more precisely, how much Licor 43 did you use? |
TMOE
The Mayor Of Exotica
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Wed, Jun 6, 2007 12:25 PM
You know, it was not more than an ounce of 43. I may have used less. Can't remember for sure. I have made it since without the 43, and as long as there's a cinnamon stick in it, you can't go wrong. I haven't even used Demerrara Rum yet either; I can just imagine that will only bring it up to par. |
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GentleHangman
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Thu, Jun 7, 2007 2:35 AM
Where did the Licor 43 & cinnamon stick come from? My Grog Log recipe for the Shrunken Skull has neither. Is this another example of an establishment's "version" of an established drink? |
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professahhummingflowah
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Thu, Jun 7, 2007 8:04 AM
Swanky suggested the Licor 43. The Mai Kai serves its Skulls with cinnamon sticks. Thus, the cinnamon stick is a crucial part of the drink. The problem is finding cinnamon sticks long enough to stick out of the top of the Shrunken Skull mug. Here in Boston we bought a half dozen sticks from the spices aisle at the supermarket, but their sticks are about 1.5" too short to reach the top of the mug, let alone 'stick' above the mug's rim as they do at the Mai Kai. This raises the question: What are your favorite brands/suppliers of cinnamon sticks? |
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GentleHangman
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Fri, Jun 8, 2007 6:40 AM
Ok. I checked back to the beginning of this thread - I guess the discussion is about the Mai-Kai's version of the Shrunken Skull rather than the original. My mistake. |
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jingleheimerschmidt
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Tue, Jun 12, 2007 9:13 AM
Well, I finally found a bottle of 43 hiding at the liquor store and put it to use. I don't know how I ignored the Skull for so long. It has quickly become the neighborhood favorite. I totally agree about the cinnamon stick's presence. Poor little guy just gets drowned. However, I believe the 43 makes it a totally different drink...for the better I reckon First Skull, no Licor 43, second Skull 1 oz, third skull 3/4 oz, fourth skull 1/2 oz, fifth Skull 1/2 oz with Meyers. For me, a heavy 1/2 oz of Licor 43 works. Not too sweet, not overpowering. Mmmmm. Oh, I was using Demerara, homemade grenadine, and the reg. ol' Persian limes. FWIW, the Licor 43 seems to mute the subtleties of the Demerara and you can probably sneak in "easier to find" rums upon the uninitiated. I just wish that there was a Mai Kai around here to get a real taste so I didn't have the guilt of bastardizing a drink recipe. Oh well. Back to the laboratory. |
TMOE
The Mayor Of Exotica
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Wed, Jun 13, 2007 10:14 AM
Tomorrow I will report to the laboratory for work--The Mai Kai! I'll report findings as they come in. |
TG
The Gnomon
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Wed, Jun 13, 2007 1:33 PM
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GentleHangman
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Fri, Jun 15, 2007 4:45 PM
Locally we are able to get Badia brand cinnamon sticks in the "Ethnic" section of the stupidmarket. They are 5" long and their diameter varies. If I need them to be slightly longer to protrude over the top of the mug I just jam a toothpick in the bottom of the cinnamon stick for the desired effect. I plan on making a few this week-end using Appleton Special in place of the gold Puerto Rican , Whatever Demerara rum I can find, Licor 43, home-made grenadine & key lime juice and a cinnamon stick. Looking forward to comparing it with the Grog Log original |
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pablus
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Sat, Jun 16, 2007 10:14 PM
I had a skull tonight at the Mai Kai and I didn't catch any Licor 43 in there. |
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GentleHangman
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Sun, Jun 17, 2007 2:30 AM
Ok, so I'm going to have to postpone my tasting of a Shrunken Skull with Licor 43 and a Cinnamon stick until my shipment of Demerara Rum arrives. Not a single Liquor Store In my area (I tried six . . . count 'em! Six!) with no luck. In fact, when I inquired about Demerara Rum, I could literally see their eyes glaze over . . . they had no clue what I was talking about! Oh well, I ordered two bottles of El Dorado 12 year old on the net - should be here in time for next weekend. I bet you feel more like you do now now than you did when you came in. GH [ Edited by: GentleHangman 2007-06-17 02:30 ] |
TMOE
The Mayor Of Exotica
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Sun, Jun 17, 2007 8:02 PM
The report from the field is that the Mai Kai puts a special 151 in the Skulls. We got a tour of the back bar, where all the serious mixing happens, and it is a veritable museum of rum back there! There are rums from the 40's on in there, lots of very special stuff like pre-Castro Bacardi, Partagas, old Lemon Hart, all kinds of stuff. We got on that tour, which included the entire kitchen, including the Mongolian oven, and the service bar, due to the fortuitous coincidence of our being there at the same time as Beach Bum Berry and Ron Licudine. Ron is the son of Mariano Licudine, the first #1 bartender of the Mai Kai, who was there for many many years. Ron had not been in the back part of the restaurant for a good many years, and it brought back lots and lots of memories. All in all, in combination with Beach Bum Berry's seminar, a most amazing experience. |
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pablus
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Sun, Jun 17, 2007 9:39 PM
It was good to have a test run at the Mai Kai. Perhaps a little more research is in order. [ Edited by: pablus 2007-06-18 04:10 ] |
TMOE
The Mayor Of Exotica
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Tue, Jun 19, 2007 11:47 AM
Can't wait to get back to the home laboratory and examine the data, extrapolate, analyze, reverse engineer, and all that. Lots of work still to do! But a lot was learned from Kern at the Mai Kai, and Ron Licudine, and of course, Beach Bum Berry. |
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suzanne
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Tue, Jun 19, 2007 12:03 PM
Okay, now I have to say that I am entirely jealous! Wow. What an experience to be granted a tour of the secret back bar! How exciting. --Suzanne |
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GentleHangman
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Tue, Jun 19, 2007 2:15 PM
OK, let's see if I've got this straight: The Mai Kai's "Skull" (or do they actually call it a "Shrunken Skull?) consists of Gold Rum, Demerara Rum, Licor 43, grenadine, lime juice, a cinnamon stick AND 151 Rum? Or does the 151 replace one of the other rums? |
TMOE
The Mayor Of Exotica
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Wed, Jun 20, 2007 7:56 AM
I don't think they put any 43 in there after all. It's just two rums, grenadine, lime, and the cinnamon stick. |
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jingleheimerschmidt
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Wed, Jun 20, 2007 8:17 AM
Well then....no Licor 43?!! What other rum would have such a spicy overtone? and a 151 at that? Anyhow, the addition of 43 makes a tasty drink. A new drink name perhaps? |
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GentleHangman
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Thu, Jun 28, 2007 1:31 PM
Using Appleton Special in place of the Puerto Rican Gold along with El Dorado 12-year-old demerara,cutting back the grenadine to only .5 oz and adding .5 oz of Licor 43 fresh lime AND the cinnamon stick .. . still a pretty (almost overly) sweet drink. And the cinnamon stick? Adds absolutely nothing in the way of flavor to the drink as far as I could tell! I Made it with and without - no difference. |
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jingleheimerschmidt
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Thu, Jun 28, 2007 2:26 PM
Mr. Hangman: |
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GentleHangman
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Fri, Jun 29, 2007 6:11 AM
For grenadine, I use Monin's and the cinnamon is Baida's "Cinnamon Sticks" and are about 5" long. And you're correct . . . you only get a 'hint' of the cinnamon at the very end of the drink. |
TMOE
The Mayor Of Exotica
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Sun, Jul 22, 2007 9:01 PM
I finally found some Bacardi Select, which is reputed to have a similar smokey, chewey flavor to Lemon Hart. Having made some with Gosling's Black, at a party at Mr. Ho's over the 4th, this is definately superior. As referenced in the Lemon Hart Crisis thread, the aforementioned rum is difficult to come by, and I have even found this one, the Bacardi Superior, to be elusive. Worth the wait though! |
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Kon-Hemsby
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Sat, Nov 7, 2009 12:17 AM
Here's my version put together last night and it was good: Try it, you'll like. |
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Kon-Hemsby
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Fri, Nov 13, 2009 5:20 AM
I think I'll call it the Shrunken man |
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Calypso
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Mon, Dec 6, 2010 4:59 PM
My wife and I were at the Mai Kai over the Thanksgiving holiday. We ordered quite a few shrunken skulls. The waitress poured an additional clear shot into each one tableside. I am assuming it is some type of overproof rum. |
HH
Hurricane Hayward
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Wed, Aug 10, 2011 11:51 PM
After much research, we have put our heads together rendered our opinion on the Shrunken Skull as part of our Mai-Kai Cocktail guide. We discovered several key elements:
Click below for our recipe. Our blog report also includes a detailed history of the custom mug used by The Mai-Kai. Check it out here: Follow our progress as we take on one classic drink per week through next June and post photos, history and recipes. |
KD
Kill Devil
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Thu, Aug 11, 2011 9:59 AM
Can't wait to try this Shrunken Skull at home. You guys are doing the Lord's work, keep it up! |
HH
Hurricane Hayward
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Thu, Jan 1, 2015 11:16 PM
Lots of new info on the Shrunken Skull since I first posted the review and tribute recipe. Click here for the latest updates ... |
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mikehooker
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Mon, Jun 22, 2015 7:04 PM
Made the Grog Log/Remixed version of the Shrunken Skull the other night and didn't care too much for it. Used homemade grenadine that was equal parts Pom juice and sugar with a couple drops of orange blossom water added and Hamilton Demerara and Flor de Cana gold for my rums. The grenadine and lime seemed to have completely overpowered the rums which didn't come through at all. So then tried the Atomic Grog version which only adds 1/2 oz cinnamon syrup (homemade per Berry's recommendation) and LH151 in place of the 86 proof Hamilton. Boy what a difference. After a few pulse blends I stirred in the shot of 151 with a cinnamon stick and every sip unleashed more and more flavor. This is definitely one I will be playing with some more in the future, maybe replacing the Flor de Cana with something a little more interesting. |