Longtime Trader Vic’s customers are familiar with the peanut butter spread that’s often provided with crackers as an appetizer in the Trader Vic’s restaurants. This stuff is amazing and has developed a cult following, described by some including this writer as being as addictive as crack cocaine.
We ran into local tiki fan Michael at the Atlanta Trader Vic’s on Friday and he mentioned the bartender Salam makes a Mai Tai with this peanut butter spread, affectionately called a Peanut Butter Crack Mai Tai. We knew we couldn’t leave without trying it so Michael got Salam’s attention and soon we had these Mai Tais to savor. Friends, you need to do whatever it takes to try this, it’s so good. Just a hint of peanut butter on the finish and does not overpower the fresh lime and rum that you want to taste in a Mai Tai.
Preparation is easier at Atlanta, where the peanut butter spread seems to be a little bit more whipped than it is at the Vic’s in Emeryville. Salam whips it up into a syrup and uses ¾ oz in addition to the standard Mai Tai ingredients when prepping the cocktail. We loved it, and dare say that this should be immediately added to the menu at every Vic’s location (perhaps omitting “crack” from the name). And be sure to ask the next time you’re at Vic’s in Atlanta.
