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Cocktails with Al ( Image heavy) |
Cammo
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 18, 2006
Posts: 1808
From: San Diego
|  Posted: 2007-05-12 07:02 am Permalink
Um, Alvin, when you gonna get around to mixing a few?
I never thought a hardcore TCer would need prompting to mix an exotic drink, but, like, GET TO IT BOY!
And - why not invite a guest over as kind of a Guest Star of the Week, and have them order a cocktail?
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VampiressRN
Grand Member (5 years) 
Joined: Nov 23, 2006
Posts: 5086
From: Sin City Lincoln Hills (NorCal)
| Posted: 2007-05-12 09:09 am Permalink
Good question Mai Tai.....when I get my bar organized I want to do it in a mixologist friendly way. I wish I had a sink in my lounge....I'll bet that comes in handy. Got the small fridge, the ice-maker and plenty of glasses. I am loving all the info here Al...keep it coming. 
_________________
 "Oh waiter, another cocktail please!!!"
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Al-ii
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 24, 2002
Posts: 248
From: Oceanside Ca
| Posted: 2007-05-12 10:36 am Permalink
Hey Thanks Bincho, for posting the liquor list. See Beach Bum Berry's "Grog log" for another list. Bill, Professional bar setups usually only have bottles stacked one deep or if they're stacked two and three deep they are on risers so that each "Layer" of bottles is higher than the one in front so you can see it. Check this out next time you go to a bar. I can't tell you how many times I lost a bottle only to find it just out of sight line. I've also learned it is easy to mix from smaller bottles, 750 ml instead of half gallon bottles, because of ingredients "hiding" behind the larger bottles.
Cammo, come by anytime I'll E you my number. I was going to post on my plantation punch, but, I use Jon English's Fassinola and I discovered it is rare as hen's teeth. I used to get it at High times and I have a supplier in SD, but no one else is going to find this stuff. I am trying a substitute everyone can buy, and will post soon. Many of my recipes have hard to find ingredients and I'm trying to make this so everyone can make these recipes.
Hiphipahula I got the naked girl in Palm Springs. That's all I know. Philippines maybe???
Here is some links on Fassionola
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fassionola
http://www.answers.com/topic/fassionola
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The Gnomon
Grand Member (5 years)
Joined: May 01, 2007
Posts: 1276
From: MD-DC-VA
| Posted: 2007-05-17 11:21 am Permalink
There was a thread around these parts last posted this past December (started in 2003)...
Fassionola?
Therein it was lamented that Jonathan English's Brand Red Tropical Gold Fruit Mix (aka Fassionola) was no longer being produced and most of the thread dealt with what might make for a suitable substitute.
Toward the end of the thread it seemed that TV's Passion Fruit Syrup was close, not the same, maybe better, maybe too artificial, etc. The matter was never really resolved. Did anyone ever get anywhere with that?
Did anyone ever come up with a recipe that successfully matched the qualities and character of JE's Fassionola?
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Al-ii
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 24, 2002
Posts: 248
From: Oceanside Ca
| Posted: 2007-05-17 1:17 pm Permalink
Mr Gnoman,
Thank you for the comments. I have read that thread and I appreciate those who contributed to it. I respectfully disagree with the statement that Fassionola is similar to passion fruit syrup, or is an acceptable substitute. If you reconstitute Jon English's Fassionola you with water or pineapple juice you get a drink that taste "like" Hawaiian Punch. Add water to Passion Fruit Syrup and it taste markedly different. The difference is similar to Hershey's Chocolate Syrup and Torani chocolate syrup, one being made with a base of Chocolate, the other being made with a base of clear sugar syrup flavored with a little chocolate essence. Fassionola is fruit punch concentrate. Smart and final, I'm told, has a fruit punch concentrate. I'll get some this weekend and see how it works. I've been looking for Hawaiian Punch Concentrate, so far, no luck. Mind you I still get Fassionola from
Americas Finest Bar Supply Specialists
John Malloch
858.695.1655
John likes you to call ahead with order so he can pull it and have it ready at Will Call. open Mon-Fri, 9 to 5.
I've tried my Planters punch with TVs passion fruit syrup instead of Fassionola, It's not as good.
Mahalo,
Al
[ This Message was edited by: Al-ii 2007-05-17 13:23 ]
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mbanu
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Aug 02, 2005
Posts: 84 | Posted: 2007-05-17 4:27 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2007-05-17 11:21, The Gnomon wrote:
Toward the end of the thread it seemed that TV's Passion Fruit Syrup was close, not the same, maybe better, maybe too artificial, etc. The matter was never really resolved. Did anyone ever get anywhere with that?
Did anyone ever come up with a recipe that successfully matched the qualities and character of JE's Fassionola?
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Getting frozen fruit punch concentrate from the local grocery store and then boiling it up with some extra sugar to form a syrup seems to work OK, but then I have nothing to compare it to. 
As for pure passion fruit syrup:
This stuff, "Condensed Passion Fruit Drink" (imported from Taiwan by the Summit Import Co. and found at my local Chinese grocer) is hands down the best passionfruit syrup I've ever had.
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Al-ii
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 24, 2002
Posts: 248
From: Oceanside Ca
| Posted: 2007-05-17 9:13 pm Permalink
Mbanu,
Thanks for posting, I want this thread to be about personal favorites and surreptitious ingredients. I'd also like to thank Gavin for finding the Fassionola.
Mahalo,
Al
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Tigerlily
Grand Member (first year) 
Joined: Nov 06, 2005
Posts: 144
From: Glendale, CA
| Posted: 2007-05-17 9:43 pm Permalink
Al,
Your Lagoon Room is so freakin cool!! Everything works perfectly togehter. Can you also mix in some decorating tips with the drinks tips. You mixed up the drinks in minutes, like it was nothing. The Planter's Punch was mighty tasty and also the Scorpion. I have got to get some of that Fassionola.
[ This Message was edited by: Tigerlily 2007-05-17 21:44 ]
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Al-ii
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 24, 2002
Posts: 248
From: Oceanside Ca
| Posted: 2007-05-17 10:29 pm Permalink
Quote:
| Can you also mix in some decorating tips with the drinks tips. |
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Do I look like Martha Stewart?
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Tigerlily
Grand Member (first year)
Joined: Nov 06, 2005
Posts: 144
From: Glendale, CA
| Posted: 2007-05-17 10:52 pm Permalink
Martha,
Can you please suggest the appropriate menu to accompany the Planter's Punch? 
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Gavin
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Apr 24, 2003
Posts: 57
From: San Diego
| Posted: 2007-05-19 05:37 am Permalink
Al,
Is there much of a difference between the Red, Green, or Gold Tropical Mix?
Also want to mention what a difference each individual ingredient makes.
Obviously, fresh fruit is key. You made us Punch with juice of one whole lime and one whole lemon, and Anejo Aniversario rum and it was quite possibly the best cocktail I have ever had the pleasure of sipping at any bar you have ever tended.
Jenn said it was the Best Drink She Ever Had. The perfect blend of tart and sweet. Not too sweet. Complex.
The night after the Tiki Farm thing you were mixing a different rum and sweet and sour, that was a delicious concoction as well just an entirely different cocktail.
Thanks bro.
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bigtikidude
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 10, 2004
Posts: 8262
From: Anaheim,Ca.
| Posted: 2007-05-21 7:44 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2007-04-19 07:16, Al-ii wrote:
Hello, Hard day?, Take a load off. Welcome to the Lagoon Room.
Thanks Jeff
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Your welcome Al.
Thank you, for having us over after the event on that Sat.
that was very nice of you,
Glad you liked the cone, I wasnt sure if you'd dig it or not.
Its not very tiki, but what is said says it all.
Hope to spend some more time at the Lagoon room.
Jeff(bigtikidude)
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Mai Tai
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 21, 2004
Posts: 1430
From: Exotic Isle of Alameda
| Posted: 2007-05-31 9:29 pm Permalink
Hey Al, are we good with the supply source for Jon English's Fassinola now? Or a suitable substitute? I'm thirsty for some Planters Punch!
_________________
 "It's Mai Tai. It's out of this world." - Victor Jules Bergeron Jr.
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Mai Tai
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 21, 2004
Posts: 1430
From: Exotic Isle of Alameda
| Posted: 2007-06-26 10:04 pm Permalink
Bumpin' this topic, now that Al's back in town.
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Tigerlily
Grand Member (first year)
Joined: Nov 06, 2005
Posts: 144
From: Glendale, CA
| Posted: 2007-07-20 4:01 pm Permalink
I just recieved my three bodles of English's Red Tropical Gold Fruit Mix from John at America's Finest. I hope I ordered the right thing and this the Fassionla? If I read the post correctly I can use this as the fruit syrup in tiki drinks?
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