The Search for the Ultimate Mai Tai
Traveling the Bay Area and beyond to find the best Mai Tai in the world! Tiki, cocktails, and adventures by Kevin Crossman
My two hobbies collided today when I received a new bottle of rum, the Pusser’s Gunpowder Proof. I made a Gunpowder Grog (thanks Alex Fritch for the suggestion) and it’s delicious. Lime, Demerara syrup, and plenty of Pussers rum.
It is opening day for baseball, finally. So the cocktail is in a mug from a former Polynesian Heritage night at the ballpark. Along with a Johnny Cueto bobblehead.
#BeatLA
I grew up in the 1970s, which meant that it was impossible to not be aware of the seminal 1970s game show, Match Game. It was one of my favorites back then, and remains a favorite today.
So, I decided to put together a Match Game themed game show for the tiki ohana community based in Oakland, the Oakhana. We met up on Zoom and everyone dressed up so fabulously. And everyone was well lubricated, a Match Game tradition.
Questions ranged from “dumb” things to put into a Mai Tai, the country that makes the best rum, tiki artists, naughty cocktails, and a few Oakland-specific questions. Plus two Audience Match rounds and two Super Match challenges.
There was a primary game and then a “second round” using some alternative questions with the same panelists but different contestants. Hope you enjoy.
My first foray into a produced video. This one discusses Limes in a Mai Tai, including a definition of “the juice of one lime.”
This recipe was promoted by Trader Vic’s today so I thought I’d make it. Gave me the excuse to open a new bottle of Probitas, my favorite white rum.
Trader Vic’s Daiquiri
1½ oz Light Rum (Probitas)
¾ oz Lime Juice
¼ oz Maraschino Liqueur
½ tsp Sugar
I’d cut the Maraschino in half next time. But little riffs on the traditional Daiquiri recipe are always welcome.
All out of Mai Tai rum. Time to make some more.
Use in equal parts:
Pro-tip: filling up a bottle in this way has much easier math if you are using a 1 liter bottle, rather than 750 ml. An old Coruba bottle works nicely.
This tequila came recommended and I found it to be quite delightful in this cocktail. Affordable, too.
This Mai Tai has some newly acquired 5 inch Hay Straws, perfect for short cocktails like this one.
Glassware: Trader Vic’s
