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mai tai help - bevmo |
mcmtiki
Member
Joined: Aug 12, 2011
Posts: 8 |  Posted: 2012-07-18 6:52 pm Permalink
I'd like to make the best possible classic Trader Vics 1944 Mai Tai from ingredients I can get from the inventory at my local BevMo Van Nuys California store. As a non-mixologist the many brand options for all of the components, from rums to orange curacao is overwhelming. I realize that BevMo won't have the best of the best, but I'd like to get input on the best of what I can get here. Any kind soul willing to take a look at the site and help me with a shopping list for Van Nuys, CA?
http://www.bevmo.com/misc/storelocator.aspx
thanks!
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PiPhiRho
Grand Member (first year) 
Joined: Mar 25, 2002
Posts: 978
From: Redondo Beach
| Posted: 2012-07-18 7:50 pm Permalink
Curacao:
Marie Brizard and Curacao Curacao are bot usually available at BevMo and both are acceptable.
Orgeat:
probably only Trader Vics and Torani will be available at BevMo. Between the two of them, get the Vic's. DO NOT use the Torani sugar free almond syrup, it will ruin your Mai Tai.
Rum:
You want a good aged rum, preferably from Martinique or Barbados. St. James h'Or dage is probably the best. BevMo may or may not have it. Mount Gay Sugar Cane (which BevMo likely will not have) or Mount Gay Extra Old (which it probably will) are good alternate choices. NOT Mount Gay Eclipse. Do not use any Bacardi or spiced rum, either. I have never used any of the Martinque agricole rums in a Mai Tai, so I cannot comment on those. From what I have tasted of them, I would stick with aged, fuller bodied rums than the agricole rums.
For the dark rum, Coruba is fine. No not use Myers's.
If you want a better selection of rums than you will get at BevMo, try Wine and Liquor Depot. It is also in Van Nuys, on Saticoy near Balboa.
[ This Message was edited by: PiPhiRho 2012-07-18 20:00 ]
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tikilongbeach
Grand Member (first year)
Joined: Aug 05, 2011
Posts: 688
From: LBC via DFW
| Posted: 2012-07-18 9:10 pm Permalink
Try Total Wine & More in Northridge sometime. According to their website that location has 339 different kinds of rum. You can order it online and go pick it up.
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-Lori
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djmont
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Aug 03, 2011
Posts: 75
From: Potomac Falls, VA
| Posted: 2012-07-19 08:37 am Permalink
I checked over their inventory. Here's what I would buy:
Barbancourt Rhum 5 Star
Appleton Estate Reserve Rum
Grand Marnier
Torani Orgeat Syrup
If you don't mind spending a little extra, I'd buy Appleton Estate Extra (12 Year) instead of the Reserve.
There's not a great selection of orange liqueurs, so I'd go with Grand Marnier. Grand Marnier is a type of orange curacao, but it's a little sweeter than most, so I'd eliminate the addition of simple syrup to the cocktail.
If they had the Pierre Ferrand Orange Curacao in stock (which they don't currently), I'd probably buy that instead (and probably supplement it with a little simple syrup).
You'll also need some limes to squeeze.
These ingredients will make you a very tasty drink without breaking the bank.
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David J. Montgomery writes about cocktails and spirits at ProfessorCocktail.com.
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mcmtiki
Member
Joined: Aug 12, 2011
Posts: 8 | Posted: 2012-07-20 4:27 pm Permalink
Many thanks for all of the help. Here is what I ended up with from Wine and Liquor Depot, Van Nuys:
Barbancourt Rhum 5 Star (8 year)
Appleton Estate Extra
Senior Curacao Orange
Trader Vics Orgeat Syrup
Trader Vics Rock Candy Syrup
+ fresh limes and mint
Any further mix advice with these components would be most welcome.
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The Blue Kahuna
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 01, 2011
Posts: 331
From: Points East & West
| Posted: 2012-07-20 5:23 pm Permalink
Enough already . . . DRINK!
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Chip and Andy
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 13, 2004
Posts: 2079
From: Corner table, Molokai Lounge, Mai-Kai.
| Posted: 2012-07-23 1:45 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2012-07-20 16:27, mcmtiki wrote:
...
Trader Vics Orgeat Syrup
Trader Vics Rock Candy Syrup
Any further mix advice with these components would be most welcome.
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Yummy!
I would make one with all the stuff listed.
I would then make a second one and slightly overpour the orgeat and skip the Rock Candy Syrup. The TV Orgeat is already overly sweet in my opinion, but I admit to liking my drinks to lean towards the tart side.
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hang10tiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 18, 2010
Posts: 1979
From: Las Vegas
| Posted: 2012-07-23 5:33 pm Permalink
How was it?????
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mcmtiki
Member
Joined: Aug 12, 2011
Posts: 8 | Posted: 2012-07-23 7:09 pm Permalink
Came out well -- thanks all for the tips. I will try nixing the rock candy next time out. In general, I think something was a bit off; mainly getting the balance of lime "just" right.
I've still never had a real 1945 Mai Tai from Trader Vics, which I hope to do someday soon. Also, a Navy Grog. If cabs weren't so expensive is L.A. I would not have this problem.
[ This Message was edited by: mcmtiki 2012-07-23 19:43 ]
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arriano
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 13, 2006
Posts: 1124
From: Birdland - San Diego
| Posted: 2012-07-24 08:26 am Permalink
Quote:
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On 2012-07-23 19:09, mcmtiki wrote:
In general, I think something was a bit off; mainly getting the balance of lime "just" right.
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Did you use "juice of 1 lime"? Remember, Vic was most likely using a bartender's (key) lime rather than the big lime that's usually found in grocery stores.
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"I am Lono!" -- Hale Ka'a Tiki Lounge
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Chip and Andy
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 13, 2004
Posts: 2079
From: Corner table, Molokai Lounge, Mai-Kai.
| Posted: 2012-07-24 10:44 am Permalink
Quote:
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On 2012-07-23 19:09, mcmtiki wrote:
... mainly getting the balance of lime "just" right. |
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Based on your posted ingredients I would suggest 3/4 ounce of lime juice. And, oh drats, you are going to have to try making several each with a bit more or less lime till you find your perfect balance.
And drop the spent shell into the glass when you pour. It only adds a hint to the final drink, but sometimes a hint of something is the difference between an OK drink and a WOW drink.
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jingleheimerschmidt
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 20, 2007
Posts: 328
From: santa rosa, calif.
| Posted: 2012-07-24 10:57 am Permalink
Quote:
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I've still never had a real 1945 Mai Tai from Trader Vics, which I hope to do someday soon.
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You will most likely find yourself disappointed.
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lunavideogames
Grand Member (first year)
Joined: May 09, 2012
Posts: 360
From: San Diego
| Posted: 2012-07-24 2:27 pm Permalink
I recently went to Trader Vic's downtown and I had 4 drinks. All of them were way too sweet and syrupy for my taste. I am going to try the one in Beverly Hills next month, I hope it is better. Thumbs down on all Trader Vic's drinks from me. I am sure that they are far from the original recipes at this point though.
The Mai Tais at Don the Beachcomber in Huntington (or Seal) Beach are my favorite. That is the drink I try to model my Mai Tais after.
I love Bharbancourt in my Mai Tai. I want to find better curacao and oregeat though as Bev Mo is mainly my only option in San Diego.
[ This Message was edited by: lunavideogames 2012-07-24 14:30 ]
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Dapuma1
Tiki Centralite
Joined: May 04, 2010
Posts: 80 | Posted: 2012-07-28 5:26 pm Permalink
Special Ordering Rum for tiki drinks is pretty par for the course, that being said
If you are in Cali you should be able to get the best stuff very easily, you should not have to skimp or go with substandard ingredients - most of the places I special order from are in Cali
Cask and KL Wines will ship liquor online will orders in state, so you should have no issues there
Get Small Hand Foods Orgeat - best stuff you can buy other than making it yourself
Also you can get Appleton v/x rum at Bevmo and order the Rhum Clemente VSOP from Cask or KL Wines
You already have Curaco of Curaco orange so you are all set
I generally use .5 oz or HALF a lime for my mai tai's and I toss a bit of extra orgeat in there, and you should be using 1:1 Simple Syrup not Rock Syrup in the drink
For a Navy Grog which is my favorite drink my recipe is:
1oz Flor de Cana 4 year
1oz El Dorado 12 year OR Lemon Hart 80 proof (the LH is slightly better but not avaliable in the US so it is a lot of work to de-proof the 151)
1oz Coruba - I special order mine from Wine Chateau
.5oz lime juice (plus a couple drops more,but not near the .75 that is recommended)
.75oz grapefruit juice (fresh squeezed is better but if not ocean spray you can make do - if you are using fresh marsh grapefruits you will want to up the clover honey syrup a dash possibly or just use a rock candy swizzle for garnish to add the extra sweetness)
.5oz 2:1 Clover Honey Syrup (2 cups of honey to one cup of water) OR you can use 1 oz of 1:1 but the thicker syrup gives the drink a better mouthfeel and it also will not go bad as quickly due to the higher sugar concentration)
.25oz St. Elizabeth All Spice Dram - go easy with this stuff, it is VERY potent, do not overpour it
Mint Garnish
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mcmtiki
Member
Joined: Aug 12, 2011
Posts: 8 | Posted: 2012-07-30 6:39 pm Permalink
By searching the list and the web it seems that Trader Vic's no longer sells a Navy Grog mix nor a Navy Grog concentrate -- is that true?
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