Episode 29 - Maple Tiki Cocktails. Canada Day Redux or Happy Tikanada Day!

Canada Day?  Didn’t we already do an episode for Canada Day?  Sure we did.  This one’s different though.  Remember we were afraid that to do a Canadian cocktail would mean that it would just be Rye and Maple Syrup?  Well, just for the fun of it we searched our cocktail books for drinks that would have maple syrup, but would not just be your average run of the mill drinks.  We found two tiki drinks that had maple syrup, and because we DIDN'T do them for Canada Day, we’re doin’ ‘em now.  Think of it as Tikanada Day!

Now don’t be freaked out by the maple syrup.  It’s just a sweetener remember.  It’s not going to make your drink taste like pancakes.  Quite the opposite.  It makes your pancakes taste like a drink.  But you’ve got to drink 4 or 5 of them for that to happen.

Anyway, gather your ingredients and your copy of Beachbum Berry Remixed and let’s get started.  First up is the Hai Karate, created by Jeff “Beachbum” Berry in 1999!

Hai Karate
by Jeff Berry, 1999.  This version from “Beachbum Berry Remixed”, Club Tiki Press 2010

1 ounce lime juice
1 ounce unsweetened pineapple juice
1 ounce orange juice
1 teaspoon maple syrup (grade A only)
dash of Angostura bitters
2 ounces gold Virgin Islands rum

Shake well with ice cubes and pour unstrained into a tall glass.  Garnish with an orange slice speared to a cocktail cherry.

Yummerino!  This drink is great.  Just like the cologne was.  (At least it’s commercial was.  Go ahead and click this link. to watch!)  This drink has got a big kick of citrus and would be perfect in the morning instead of your usual plain old orange juice.  You’d better make two of them and bring one for the boss so he know’s why your so sleepy around 10:15!

Good mornin', sunshine!

Next up is the Captain’s Grog.  This drink is fabulous.  Make it.  Sip it.  Love it.

Captain's Grog
from the Hukilau Room of the Captain’s Inn, Long Beach, CA circa 1962 and printed in “Beachbum Berry Remixed”, Club Tiki Press 2010

1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
1/2 ounce grapefruit juice
1/2 ounce maple syrup (grade A only)
1/2 ounce falernum
1/2 ounce orange Curaçao
3/4 ounce dark Jamaican Rum
3/4 ounce light Puerto Rican Rum  (we used Havana Club 3 year Anejo)
3/4 ounce gold Puerto Rican Rum (we used Havana Club Anejo Reserva)
3 drops vanilla extract
3 drops almond extract
1 ounce soda water

*whew*

Shake everything (except the soda) with ice cubes.  Then add soda to the shaker and stir.  Strain into a double old fashioned glass with an “ice cone” (if you’ve got one) or over crushed ice.  Garnish with a mint sprig.

Delicious, delicious, delicious!  So well balanced.  Truly a great drink!

Nothing but the best for the Captain!

So there you have it.  Two great drinks to celebrate Tikanada Day!  If you're wondering what a Canadian Tiki mug looks like, check out the house mug from the Shameful Tiki Room in Vancouver. A tiki huggin' a beaver.  That's what Tikanada Day is all about Charlie Brown! 

Happy Tikanada Day!