IT'S A TIKI UNIVERSE

In a previous post I spoke disparagingly of Tiki drinks. Perhaps quite unjustly. Mr. Bender cited the Mai Tai in their defense, and it should naturally be mentioned that a Fogcutter, properly made, might put a Texan under the table.


FOG CUTTER

Two ounces plus white Rum
Less than an ounce Gin
Less than an ounce Brandy
Two ounces orange juice
One ounce lemon juice
Heavy dash almond syrup
Half ounce sherry

Shake all together with ice except for the sherry, decant into a suitable glass with the ice cubes, and float the sherry on top. Vic Bergeron's recipe added a sprig fresh mint as a garnish, which is totally unnecessary, and on a hot day would only get up your nose and irritate you.


MAI TAI

Two ounces white Rum
One ounce dark Rum
One ounce Curaçao
One ounce lime juice
Heavy dash almond syrup
Dash bitters

Shake all together with ice, strain into a suitable glass. Again, whatever cocktail garnish you prefer will undoubtedly be irritating, so you might as well omit that.


I was thinking of including a recipe for a Singapore sling here, but after reviewing the ingredients I realized that it's effing well nasty. So no.
No sling.

A zombie instead.


ZOMBIE

One and a half ounces light rum
One and a half ounces dark rum
One and a half ounces Curacao
Two ounces orange juice
One ounce lemon juice
One ounce lime juice
Two ounces pineapple juice
Heavy dash of grenadine
Dash of bitters

Shake over ice, serve in a suitable glass, and optionally float a jigger of 151 rum on top. Something silly as a garnish. Perhaps a naked Barbie Doll.


The Tonga Room at the top of Nob Hill is, of course, the tiki bar to end all tiki bars, and well worth a pilgrimage. Suitable for bridal showers (went to one there once; a fondly remembered experience). But for regular summer drinking, any bar where 'Bubbly Doctor Delgado' (a beloved neighborhood mixologist known for keeping people limp and happy) prepares drinks is appropriate. I have every reason to believe he starts his morning (afternoon) with one of these and a bowl of fruitloops. Fruit juices and cereals. Healthy.


I myself absteem, both regarding booze and breakfast cereals.
Coffee and a good pipeful of tobacco, or a cheroot.
Damned well a puritan in my old age.




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