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Book Review: Coconuts & Carnage by Justin Wojslaw

Does the world need another book of tiki recipes? When they’re all killer recipes, yes, yes we absolutely do.

Coconuts & Carnage is a new Wonk Press paperback with recipes and commentary by Seattle’s Justin Wojslaw, formerly of The Diller Room and currently based at Rocco’s in Belltown. We sampled a variety of Justin’s cocktails a couple years ago and I made it a priority to check in for one of Justin’s bartending shifts during my trip last week.

The book contains 50 recipes and there aren’t too many exotic ingredients that’ll throw off the amateur bartender. Instead, the recipes rely on a set of common ingredient but put together in interesting ways with specific called spirits and liqueurs. The single non-alcoholic recipe features Pathfinder “amaro” in the Ray’s Escape, developed for Seattle’s tiki ambassador “Tiki with Ray” Wyland who’s been sober for the last couple years. This NA cocktail tastes delicious, as does an NA version of the El Siniestro that’s also in the book.

Black Orchid

There are a few “tribute” recipes including a Pearl Diver that uses Coco Lopez as the base for Gardenia Mix, but the vast majority of the drinks are Justin’s original creations that are truly outstanding. During my two visits to Rocco’s I sampled the Port Royal Punch, the creamy blue Cherry Blossom, and the Black Orchid which I consider to be Justin’s masterpiece. Each one of these was really great, and Justin’s skills as a bartender also came into play with a delicious custom Mai Tai made with Jamaican and Demerara rums, my favorites.

Each recipe includes a full page photo of the cocktail, along with some preparation details and some short backstory about the creation of the cocktail. This isn’t really a book you “read” but one which you review for inspiration or to try a cocktail with a specific ingredient. The book is moderately priced at $25, so fans of the cocktail genre or bartenders who are looking for a leg up for their next tiki bar party would be well-served to pick up this amazing collection of recipes.

Cherry Blossom and Port Royal Punch
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Pilo Pilo Recipe

Each Trader Vic’s location has a signature cocktail that initially is available only at that location, though sometimes these cocktails come to other Trader Vic’s locations. This is a really great perk for those who seek out and visit the various Vic’s locations, and these cocktails are chosen with great care because the team a Trader Vic’s know they have to good.

Signature cocktail examples:

  • E’Ville Ewa, Emeryville
  • Munich Sour, Munich
  • Peachtree Punch, Atlanta

The signature cocktail at the Trader Vic’s location at the San Jose International Airport is the Pilo Pilo. This cocktail uses two juices, two sweeteners, and three rums and comes in a mug that’s exclusive to the San Jose location as well (the mug is also available on the Trader Vic’s website).

The cocktail was developed by Daniel Velize and the recipe was shared a couple years ago at Tiki Oasis by Eve Bergeron. Notably, it’s a cocktail that uses the top-secret Navy Grog Mix syrup that  is available for purchase on the Trader Vic’s online store.

Pilo Pilo by Daniel Velize
1 oz Lemon Juice
¾ oz Lime Juice
¾ oz Trader Vic’s Passion Fruit Syrup
¾ oz Trader Vic’s Navy Grog Mix
½ oz Trader Vic’s Spiced Rum
¾ oz Trader Vic’s Dark Rum
¾ oz Trader Vic’s 151-Proof Rum
Shake with ice, garnish with three cherries and a spent lime shell.

I really liked this cocktail when I tried it a couple weeks ago before my flight to Seattle, and the blend of three rums really worked for me. I found it to be well balanced, despite all that citrus too.

The World’s Best Airport Bar
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Elevated Mai Tai at Inside Passage

After dinner at Rumba, we were seated in Inside Passage next door. We chose the bar since I hadn’t been seated there before, though at opening on Friday they were only moderately busy. Ray chose the excellent NA version of the Panorama Punch, served in a Seattle World’s Fair glass with replica disc and topped with sorbet. I earned some ire from the bartender for grabbing a straw to sample Ray’s drink.

Entering Inside Passage with Tiki with Ray

Last year I was so impressed by the Kiki’s Premier Mai Tai I swapped Rumba to Inside Passage on our Best Mai Tais in the World list. Prices at Inside Passage have crept past $20 for their signature cocktails, though the Premier Mai Tai’s ingredient list certainly justifies the $26 price: House barrel-aged Rivers Royale, Appleton Estate 15, Chairman’s Reserve 1931, Rhum JM Terroir Volcanique, Saint James 110, curaçao, creole shrubb, orgeat, and lime. Those are all elevated rums, and you’ll taste it in the still-excellent Mai Tai. The blend of sugar cane and molasses based rums means there’s a lot of rich flavor in the cocktail and it’s one you’ll want to sip and savor.

Kiki’s Premier Mai Tai

The music at Inside Passage was retro mood music, though neither of us thought the inclusion of the Beatles’ “Octopus’s Garden” was inappropriate given the presence of sea creature Kiki, the venue’s spotlight focal point and visual mascot.

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The Rumba Mai Tai is One of the Best on Planet Earth

Nothing really new to report, Mai Tai fans. We went to Rumba for dinner and to wait until Inside Passage opened, and so I had to check and see if the Mai Tai is still world-class. I’m pleased to report that the Mai Tai is still one of the best you can get on planet Earth.

Rumba’s Mai Tai rum blend features house barrel-aged Wray & Nephew Overproof from Jamaica and Rhum JM Gold agricole from Martinique, so this features some savory and funky notes to pair well with the sweet orgeat. For those concerned with the Rhum Agricole component it’s a very approachable Mai Tai with just a hint of grassiness.

For my meal I had a fantastic Poke Bowl that included mango, pickled onion, jicama, and Basmati rice. Ray’s Cuban Sandwich also continues to be well prepared, and our service during the visit was great.

We didn’t partake in any rums, but if you’re in town looking for the largest selection of rums then this is the place.

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Dr. Funk’s Rum Asylum Level II Complete

We had a great time at the quarterly Rum Asylum rum club meeting at Dr. Funk on Sunday. Dr. Funk has been building their momentum with these quarterly Sunday meetings, where each meeting includes a rum brand with tasting and education, plus recognition for rum club milestones.

The featured rum brand this time was Hamilton, with Ed Hamilton himself speaking to the assembled masses and walking us through a bunch of Hamilton rum expressions. Ed is always an entertaining speaker and it never hurts to have some of his greatest hits to taste, including the Breezeway blend and my favorite Jamaican Pot Still Blonde. We also got to try the new Café Carib coffee liqueur that was really delicious. A featured cocktail called the Crimson Castaway featured a triple berry shrub and was fantastic.

By completing Level II: Deleri-Rum, I received a Dr. Funk asylum pin as well as this very nice pith helmet. Yes, another funny hat for completing a rum list! Level II featured over sixty rums from Dr. Funk’s vast collection, including some rare rums that are truly special. My last one was completed a couple days before and was Cadenhead Trinidad 18 which was really great.

The next quarterly Rum Asylum meetup is June 28.

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Updated Rum Blend in Forbidden Island Mai Tai

Forbidden Island recently updated the rum blend in their Classic Mai Tai and I’m pleased to report that it is definitely an upgrade. There is more Jamaican rum in this blend and improved richness as well, a worthy cocktail for a still wonderful tiki bar and the best Mai Tai I’ve had here in a long time.

There’s also still a Top Shelf Mai Tai available for $5 more, though we spoke with several people who tried both and they all preferred the new Classic. And for those looking for something a little different the Viking Mai Tai features Svol Aquavit and is also very good.

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Alter Ego: San Jose’s Best Speakeasy

We’ve had two great experiences at Alter Ego recently so wanted to highlight the excellent cocktail and food program. Located in the back of Still OG on First Street, Alter Ego has a lounge feel and features a cuisine oriented cocktail program featuring Japanese flavors in many items, along with sometimes elaborate garnishes.

The food menu has been recently revamped to provide less expensive options with larger portions, though thankfully the deliciously seasoned Bread and Butter remains. I really enjoyed the amazing new Sizzling Cheeseburger which is simply made but served over a hot plate of melted cheese, while Mrs. Mai Tai enjoyed the Cold Soba Noodles.

The cocktails at Alter Ego are easily the best in the city, incorporating a variety of spirts and using a host of different and interesting ingredients. Easy Tiger will appeal to tiki fans with its two rums and rich walnut flavors and I also enjoyed the foamy Asteroid Blues served in a bubble glass with an astronaut figure. We both were super impressed by the Busters & Babs, a clarified cocktail for two that has delicious baking spice notes. Mrs Mai Tai enjoyed the melon flavors of Silk Road Project and she absolutely loved the Proxima Vida which pairs smoky Mezcal with actual smoke, which I also found the flavors to be complimentary and very approachable.

Busters & Babs

The vibe inside Alter Ego is refined, but our dealings with the staff are anything but pretentious. The team take their craft seriously but they’re accommodating and friendly. Music inside is a mix of dancy hip-hop but the volume’s perfect for conversations, with the dimly lit space that’s walled off from the outside world making it a true retreat. A reservation is usually required most nights, though there’s often room at opening. We think that Alter Ego is San Jose’s best speakeasy experience.

Asteroid Blues, Easy Tiger, and Silk Road Project