Recently, my friend Erik Ellestad of Underhill Lounge and Stomping through the Savoy visited Portland, where I had the opportunity to share a few meals, laughs, and drinks with him, his lovely wife, and our friends Humu and Rich.
The highlight of the visit (other than the hot makeouts we saw at Thatch), was Erik’s visit to Teardrop Lounge, where Daniel and Alyson shook, stirred, and muddled through most of the “J” section, all the way from the Jack Kearns through the Jupiter.
You can read more about the adventure at Erik’s post on eGullet. I just wanted to show pictures of the aftermath of the event, and share an inspired cocktail.
Daniel, having chatted with Erik for a bit, had asked if Erik had found any particularly interesting or inspiring drinks. Erik responded with his affection for a lovely little perfect Martini variationknown as the Fourth Degree Cocktail. Being the curious sort, Daniel whipped one up for me at the latest Tiki Tuesday (I’m allowed to take a Tiki break every once in a while).
Fourth Degree Cocktail
1/3 French Vermouth
1/3 Gin
1/3 Italian Vermouth
4 dashes of Absinthe
Shake well and strain into cocktail glass
It’s a very lovely libation. What more can be said about such a classic combination of ingredients, it was rich, dry and smooth, with a lot of carry through in the finish, thanks to the use of a local distillery’s special ingredient.
It just so happens that I recently got a new toy, in the form of a mini-tripod, which I had placed with my camera on the bar. Daniel set down my Fourth Degree Cocktail, and went back to reading the Savoy. This is the picture that happened, no staging. I love my fake job.
between the new batch of bitters, some improvements on the Galley, and a super secret project that will never see the light of day, it’s been busy times here for the Trader.
Nonetheless, let the good times commence this upcoming Tuesday at Teardrop Lounge! This is going to be a good one!
Captain’s Grog
From the Captain’s Inn, Long Beach, CA, circa 1962. This dirnk features a blend of dark and light rums, Falernum, citrus, and a rather surprising sweetener.
Jamoca
Chilled Coffee and tropical rum make up this libation developed by Don the Beachcomber in the early 1930s.
Jasper’s Jamaican
Let this Spicy Carribean classic take you back to the days when Jasper LeFranc tended bar at the Bay Roc in Montego Bay.
Jet Pilot
A spicy sweet drink from The Luau in Beverly Hills. The Luau was owned by Steven Crane, who also owned the now defunct Kon-Tiki here in Portland.
Kava Bowl
Trader Vic’s classic bowl, featuring Haitian Rum, orgeat, and a bounty of citrus.
La Florida
A complex classic by famed Cuban bartender, Constantine Ribailagua.
Lei Lani Volcano
This drink hails from Disney’s Polynesian Village resort. A balanced sweet and sour combination of Guava, Lime, Coconut Rum and Pineapple juice is no Mickey Mouse cocktail.
Mai Tai
Trader Vic’s most famous creation, and easily the most recognized tiki drink in the world. This combination of aged Rum, Lime, Curacao and Orgeat put Trader Vic’s on the map.
Nui Nui
Don the Beachcomber’s spicy classic, with Aged Rum, Orange and Lime juices, and Don’s Spices #2, a secret only recently unearthed by Jeff “BeachBum” Berry.
Port-Au-Prince
A mix of Haitian Rum, tropical spices and fresh juices. Don the Beachcomber served the last of these in 1941.
Wisdom of Pelé
A Trader Tiki original, inspired by the rich rums of Guyana. This sucker’s a “limit one”, so keep your head up, ‘lest you learn Pelé’s lesson.
Zombie
The most infamous of all Don the Beachcomber’s creations, any more than two and you’ll be joining the living dead with this combination of tropical juices, passion fruit, and plenty of dark and light rums.
Hey folks, here’s a look at the menu for the May 20th Tiki Tuesday at Teardrop Lounge.
Hope to see you there!
Aku-Aku Gold Cup
A spicy citrus and rum concoction from Don the Beachcomber’s Aku-Aku restaurant in the Stardust Hotel, Las Vegas.
Beachcomber’s Rum Barrel
A lovely libation of rum, tropical juices and exotic spices. This hails from Don the Beachcomber’s at the Sahara in Las Vegas. The drink is a doozey, and best shared with Ohana (close friends and family).
Jamoca
Chilled Coffee and tropical rum make up this libation developed by Don the Beachcomber in the early 1930s.
Jet Pilot
A spicy sweet drink from The Luau in Beverly Hills. The Luau was owned by Steven Crane, who also owned the now defunct Kon-Tiki here in Portland.
Lei Lani Volcano
This drink hails from Disney’s Polynesian Village resort. A balanced sweet and sour combination of Guava, Lime, Coconut Rum and Pineapple juice is no Mickey Mouse cocktail.
Mai Tai
Trader Vic’s most famous creation, and easily the most recognized tiki drink in the world. This combination of aged Rum, Lime, Curacao and Orgeat put Trader Vic’s on the map.
Nui Nui
Don the Beachcomber’s spicy classic, with Aged Rum, Orange and Lime juices, and Don’s Spices #2, a secret only recently unearthed by Jeff “BeachBum” Berry.
Painkiller
Pusser’s Rum is the feature in this coconut and pineapple drink. One of these to relive the pain of the work-a-day world, two to numb, a third and you might find yourself sailing the seven seas.
Queen’s Road Cocktail
Ginger, gold rum and citrus make the mix for this Don the Beachcomber classic. This was once served at his Colonel’s Plantation Steakhouse, featuring a private treehouse for two.
Scorpion
Trader Vic’s tangy mix of Orange, Lemon, Rum, Brandy and Orgeat. This drink is most famous as a bowl for four, but works quite well when served for one.
Suffering Bastard
From the Sheperd’s Hotel in Cairo, where a “poor, suffering barsteward” would put this together for the British officers who frequented the establishment. It’s a tart and rich combination of Gin, Bourbon, Lime and Teardrop Lounge’s own Ginger Beer.
Zombie
The most infamous of all Don the Beachcomber’s creations, any more than two and you’ll be joining the living dead with this combination of tropical juices, passion fruit, and plenty of dark and light rums.
What is the joy that is Tiki? Here is Portland local and Tiki Enthusiast Mark (OMP) Pederson, showing the true joy of a Lei Lani Volcano on Tiki Tuesday at Teardrop.
Join me and the staff of Teardrop Lounge for an evening of authentic classic Tiki cocktails.
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July 16th - 20th
Blair (Trader Tiki) will be at Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans! See me shakin' it at Beachbum Berry's Spirits of the Caribbean session Saturday the 19th!
