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Straw or no straw? Let's debate. |
dan the beachcomber
Member
Joined: Dec 14, 2004
Posts: 8 |  Posted: 2005-01-25 11:11 am Permalink
So i'm not sure if a mai tai needs to be drank with a straw or sipped? On most trader vic's pics of this drink there are no straws and he doesn't mention it in his recipes. The only time i've actually see someone comment on this is Beachbum Berry's Shark tooth recipe that indicates" serve without straw", Now taking that into account i assume all (or most) exotica's should be served with a straw. This question came to me as i was sipping a maitai and the next thing i new , it was done, already? Maybe i was supposed to sip it,... oops. Then again i own the Trader Vic's Bartender's Guide and there is a Menehune Juice cocktail pictured on the cover(WITH A STRAW), now i'm sure i am not the only weekend mixologist that noticed the Menehune and the Mai Tai are exactly the same in ingedients and in proportion's except for the rum's used, so maybe the Mai Tai along with most of tiki drinks unless noted should be served with a ...straw. Maybe some co-tiki-enthusiasts would like to comment on this matter. All opinions welcome.
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Doctor Z
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 01, 2002
Posts: 1603
From: The Hale Moana Lounge, Torrance, CA
| Posted: 2005-01-25 11:43 am Permalink
My understanding is that the Mai Tai is to be served without a straw, so as to give one the opportunity to enjoy the scent of the mint garnish whilst sipping, a pleasure that is lost when drinking through a straw. Unfortunately, many folks choose to put a float of dark rum on their Mai Tais ("so the booze lasts all the way to the last sip", supposedly...) which makes the use of a straw mandatory and effectively negating the purpose of the mint.
Personally, I drink all iced beverages without a straw, but have found that if I serve them that way, I get a sort of "hey - where's my straw?" kind of look...
As far as other drinks go, I'd say a lot depends on how the drink is prepared, the type of glass used, and the type/amount of garnishes, but the Mai Tai (AND it's bizarro-twin the Menehune Juice) should be strawless (but usually isn't).
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Unga Bunga
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 06, 2003
Posts: 5734
From: CaliTikifornia
| Posted: 2005-01-25 3:28 pm Permalink
"A straw for every Mai Tai!" I say.
Addendum;
This caption was for this stupid photograph.
I usualy don't use a straw unless there is a lot of crushed ice.
[ This Message was edited by: Unga Bunga on 2005-01-27 00:25 ]
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pablus
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 23, 2003
Posts: 2146
From: www.crazedmugs.com
| Posted: 2005-01-25 10:05 pm Permalink
Tiki Bree once said to me, "Girls like straws."
Argument over.
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johntiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 31, 2002
Posts: 1525
From: MD
| Posted: 2005-01-25 10:08 pm Permalink
It's a simple equation... there's no need to use a straw in drinks served in a manageable glass or short mug. But when you start trying to drink an icy concoction out of a tall or oddly shaped mug and end up with more of it in your lap than in your mouth, use a straw!
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CruzinTiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 13, 2003
Posts: 215
From: Santa Cruz, CA
| Posted: 2005-01-25 11:17 pm Permalink
I think I have a cavity ... my back teeth are sensitive to the cold.
So I say ... yes to the straw.
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Trader Tiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 06, 2003
Posts: 385
From: Portland, OR
| Posted: 2005-01-25 11:23 pm Permalink
Mint (except julep or mojito), no straw
otherwise, do as yee may. But make it a crazy straw, with like, glitter and little bow patterns and stuff. I mean, if you're going to go "girly" (apologies to those transcending aged stereotypical gender roles), then go all the way.
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Hakalugi
Site Administrator
Joined: Aug 10, 2004
Posts: 2802
From: Redondo Beach, CA
| Posted: 2005-01-25 11:49 pm Permalink
For a Mai Tai I usually use a pair of those slim short cocktail straws. This way you still get to bury your nose in the mint.
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dan the beachcomber
Member
Joined: Dec 14, 2004
Posts: 8 | Posted: 2005-01-26 11:02 am Permalink
doesn't the mai tai drink itself too fast with a straw? With the crushed ice you have to sip it.
[ This Message was edited by: dan the beachcomber on 2005-01-26 11:20 ]
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Hakalugi
Site Administrator
Joined: Aug 10, 2004
Posts: 2802
From: Redondo Beach, CA
| Posted: 2005-01-26 2:19 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2005-01-26 11:02, dan the beachcomber wrote:
doesn't the mai tai drink itself too fast with a straw?
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The faster you drink it, the sooner you get another!
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Tikiwahine
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 09, 2003
Posts: 3288
From: Ontario, Canada
| Posted: 2005-01-26 3:05 pm Permalink
I usually like a straw in all mugs and cups except for the shorter old fashioned style.
To me they add to the garnish, and the brighter the better. I like to choose the colour of the straw depending on the colour of the mug.
Anything with a nicely smelling garnish(mint, gardenia, plumeria etc.) shouldn't have a straw, so you can bury your nose in there, but those short straws would be ok in a short glass.
I find it difficult to drink beverages that contain a lot of crushed ice without a straw. I have to sort of use my teeth as sieve, not very ladylike. And besides, I can't drink nearly fast enough that way!
I like to play with my straw, and I tend to drink faster when using a straw(as stated above)
Straws are good! But you won't catch me asking for one if it's not already included. I'll take what I'm given 
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Shipwreckjoey
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 29, 2002
Posts: 1794
From: San Diego, CA
| Posted: 2005-01-29 12:07 pm Permalink
I put a straw in anything I make in the blender (which ain't too often) and any drinks shaken or stired on the rocks or straight up NO straw. I usually cut a lime and run it around the rim of my glass and in the case of margaritas or Mexican beer add salt to the rim as well, so straws definately ruin the experience in that case. I do serve drinks with straws to guests so they have the option of using them or tossing them, and you got the "fancy" straws (like the kine you get @ Party City) it makes for a more "visually stunning presentation" (oh m'god...I think I've been watchin' too much Queer Eye For The Straight Guy again)!
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Satan's Sin
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 13, 2004
Posts: 729
From: Imperial Beach, CA
| Posted: 2005-01-29 7:01 pm Permalink
There are several recipes for the Mint Julep, but there are basically two camps (Virginia vs. Kentucky) and one of the primary differences is: straw or no straw.
Virginians generally prefer no-straw Juleps, while Kentuckians insist on them. Now, Kentucky is the home of bourbon and therefore should have the rights of the senior party in this argument, but if one wants to be perfectly technical, Kentucky was part of Virginia, once upon a time. And on that basis, Virginians will tell you haughtily to this day that a Julep is just not worth having, if has been made in the Kentucky manner.
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Kono
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Oct 08, 2003
Posts: 1266
From: Orlando
| Posted: 2005-01-29 7:37 pm Permalink
I just tried a mai tai without a straw and it just didn't work for me (for the record, I use those little tiny short straws). I was making weird noises trying to suck the drink through the ice that was getting into my teeth. I don't like my teeth to get too cold. I decided to simply sniff the mint then sup from the straw. That did the trick.
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iamsjn
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Jan 26, 2005
Posts: 17
From: Phoenix, AZ
| Posted: 2005-01-31 09:29 am Permalink
DOH!! No straws!
I once drank a scorpion WITHOUT A STRAW! Hehehe. Should have seen the stares I got!
(Wasn't feeling too good afterwards though...)
SjN
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