DUDE. I've been dabbling with Demerara Dry Floats these last two weeks and yeah, Appleton 8 has definitely been my preferred blended aged rum base. I've been wanting a version that doesn't use overproof since just one of these kicks my ass. Was disappointed you didn't have a video on it yet, until today! Really informative and great to hear your thoughts!
Yessss!!! I bought that same ice shaver last summer! Not only is it great for making my kids some snow cones, but I use that snow ice as a topper of some of my tiki cocktails. Definitely gonna try the ice shell this weekend. Great video!
Been really into making tiki drinks and their history for the past few months, and your channel has been the guide through all of it! Thank you so much for all the work you put in to the videos. Cheers!
I will have to absolutely give this a try. It combines several of my favorite cocktail ingredients with Demerara Rum and Passion Fruit. The Ice cones look great! Just had to add that the drink next to the Demerara Dry Float on the menu ... "Never Say Die ... Or if you must, Have One for the Road" 💀💀💀The attitude for drinking an driving back then was different
These two are some of my favourite cocktails. I prefer the Mai-Kai version but both are superb (and sometimes I'll add a quarter ounce of Maraschino to the Mai Kai ver.)
Thanks for linking to my video on ice shells. You have that pretty right. I didn't show this on my video (I don't think), but you really just use the muddler. Put the ice in and press it in with the muddler and it will rise up and as you did, you press it against the sides with the muddler to get a thin layer and the "crown" of ice.
This is outstanding! I have some Liber & Co passion fruit syrup, so I put it to use. I love Luxardo Maraschino- big part of one of my favorite non-Tiki/non-rum cocktails, the Last Word (and all of its riffs). Made mine with El Dorado 12 and I did not find the drink unbalanced- tart? You bet. Not balanced? No way. I love it. I did not shave ice to make a ice rim- it is a big drink, 6 1/2 oz of ingredients, so I used a double rocks glass and poured pebble to fill (then the 151 float). Big drink screams for Tiki glass next time (if not making the shaved ice shell). Lastly, I love how the drink evolves as the 151 becomes more and more a part of the drink as it goes down. Might be my favorite of many amazing drinks you have made. Enjoyed this while awaiting 48 hours steeping of my spiced hibiscus infusion!
As usual, another insightful and well-done video. Nice research on the glass. I'm just a little biased, but The Mai-Kai version is among my favorites there. Worth noting that it was removed from the menu decades ago when Demerara rum became hard to find, but it came back as an off-menu "lost cocktail" in the past 15 years or so. I''m assuming it will still be available as a secret menu drink when they reopen in the fall. This video will be added to the Atomic Grog blog on the Demerara Float, which contains lots of other minutiae and history on the drink. Okole maluna!
OMG DEREK !!! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this drink !! First of all, I didn't think I would like Maraschino liqueur. But its not sickningly sweet, its kinda tart. Its a tart drink, but u can bump up the demerara syrup if needed ( I didnt have demerara, so used simple syrup) I used Chinola and 2 OZ of Ham 86. Did not do 151 float. And it was plenty boozey :) Do wont to tell anyone how to make their drink. Just sayin u can tweak it if u want. The Roomie and I rated it a 9.5 !! And will have it again next Tiki Tuesday.
Completely agree with you about balanced drinks! Balanced drinks are great, but I don't want everything I drink to be balanced - if every drink in a bar was equally balanced, what a boring bar that would be. A little "unbalancing" is a good thing from time to time. I like to describe the demerara dry float as sort of like an alcoholic limeade. It's a phenomenal drink
This is a great drink Derek! (I'm enjoying the SC version right now.) Sweetness on the front with a great tart finish - and rummy all the way through!!
My favorite version so far is a Double Denizen. 1.5 oz of merchants reserve in main drink and 1.0 oz of vatted dark as the float with SC specs otherwise.
Coincidentally, I made some passionfruit syrup for the first time last week and got out my copy of Smugglers Cove and made this. I absolutely loved it. I'm in Australia and can't get Hamilton, so I used El Dorado 5 year and Plantation OFTD. For my palate, I needed the full 3/4 oz of OFTD
Whenever I try out a new cocktail recipe, I make it, taste it, and add more simple syrup, agave, whatever, according to the demands of my sweet-tooth. That drink has a lot of lime juice in it. I have a feeling I'll be adding some syrup to it.
As a dedicated Hemingway Daiquiri drinker, get the Lazzaroni, not Luxardo. It's less floral, while still having the nutty goodness. It also saves you 10 bucks!
Have you considered contacting a glassblower for a custom job? Idk what the pricing on that would be, but could also be a nice merchandising opportunity.
I don't know how it works in the US (estate sales?) but the auction houses that clear out homes following a death here in Europe are a treasure trove for vintage glassware and other cocktail related equipment like pins. If you consider the age of most people dying these days-70s and 80s-they would have been buying this stuff from the 50s on-the prime retro/vintage years. Most of the time they're just happy to be able to get rid of it so you can pick up entire collections in boxes for just a few cents a glass.
Derek, what was the name of the Libby version of the glass and can you add it to your Amazon glassware list? Great video as always! I def want to give this one a try. Thanks!
@@makeanddrink rainforest cafe is an oddly nostalgic place for me and my family. Everytime we are near one we have to go even if it is just for some drinks and an appetizer. As long as you don't put the glass in sunlight or in a disheasher their glasses will stay bright for a long time
Regarding balance: the general taste preferences of a culture change over time, and what's considered balanced this decade might not be in a few more. Tastes might lean sweeter, tarter, saltier, any number of things. All things are a product of their time.
While that is true, we can also compare a cocktail to the contemporary cocktails of that time. In this case, we can compare this one to others made by the same person and this is very tart compared to other Don the Beachcomber drinks of that era.
At the risk of being labeled a blasphemer, I've found that if you just get rid of the float concept and throw the 151 in with the rest of the ingredients it balances the drink out significantly and you don't have to fuss with trying to balance it while drinking, though I get that is part of the whole point.
If I ever find that glass in a local antique shop (doubtful) it's yours! You've earned it with all of this fantastic content. 😄
🙏
DUDE. I've been dabbling with Demerara Dry Floats these last two weeks and yeah, Appleton 8 has definitely been my preferred blended aged rum base. I've been wanting a version that doesn't use overproof since just one of these kicks my ass. Was disappointed you didn't have a video on it yet, until today! Really informative and great to hear your thoughts!
One of my favorite tiki drinks
The Smuggler's Cove version is one of my favorite drinks. Thanks for giving it the love it deserves! ❤
Yessss!!! I bought that same ice shaver last summer! Not only is it great for making my kids some snow cones, but I use that snow ice as a topper of some of my tiki cocktails. Definitely gonna try the ice shell this weekend. Great video!
The cask shotglass with the tiny handle that you actually use slays me.
Been really into making tiki drinks and their history for the past few months, and your channel has been the guide through all of it! Thank you so much for all the work you put in to the videos. Cheers!
ordered a pair, and happy to finally help support the channel!
Thank you!
I will have to absolutely give this a try. It combines several of my favorite cocktail ingredients with Demerara Rum and Passion Fruit. The Ice cones look great!
Just had to add that the drink next to the Demerara Dry Float on the menu ... "Never Say Die ... Or if you must, Have One for the Road" 💀💀💀The attitude for drinking an driving back then was different
These two are some of my favourite cocktails. I prefer the Mai-Kai version but both are superb (and sometimes I'll add a quarter ounce of Maraschino to the Mai Kai ver.)
Big fan of passion fruit so I'll give this a try. I think I prefer the Libby glasses because they're clear
Thanks for linking to my video on ice shells. You have that pretty right. I didn't show this on my video (I don't think), but you really just use the muddler. Put the ice in and press it in with the muddler and it will rise up and as you did, you press it against the sides with the muddler to get a thin layer and the "crown" of ice.
Ahhh "crown of ice." Had never heard that before but that's exactly what it looks like so that makes sense.
One of my favorites from the Smuggler's Cove book. My favorite rums for it are Appleton 8 and Hamilton 151. I need to make it again, it's been awhile.
This is outstanding! I have some Liber & Co passion fruit syrup, so I put it to use. I love Luxardo Maraschino- big part of one of my favorite non-Tiki/non-rum cocktails, the Last Word (and all of its riffs). Made mine with El Dorado 12 and I did not find the drink unbalanced- tart? You bet. Not balanced? No way. I love it. I did not shave ice to make a ice rim- it is a big drink, 6 1/2 oz of ingredients, so I used a double rocks glass and poured pebble to fill (then the 151 float). Big drink screams for Tiki glass next time (if not making the shaved ice shell). Lastly, I love how the drink evolves as the 151 becomes more and more a part of the drink as it goes down. Might be my favorite of many amazing drinks you have made. Enjoyed this while awaiting 48 hours steeping of my spiced hibiscus infusion!
As usual, another insightful and well-done video. Nice research on the glass. I'm just a little biased, but The Mai-Kai version is among my favorites there. Worth noting that it was removed from the menu decades ago when Demerara rum became hard to find, but it came back as an off-menu "lost cocktail" in the past 15 years or so. I''m assuming it will still be available as a secret menu drink when they reopen in the fall. This video will be added to the Atomic Grog blog on the Demerara Float, which contains lots of other minutiae and history on the drink. Okole maluna!
OMG DEREK !!! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this drink !!
First of all, I didn't think I would like Maraschino liqueur. But its not sickningly sweet, its kinda tart. Its a tart drink, but u can bump up the demerara syrup if needed ( I didnt have demerara, so used simple syrup) I used Chinola and 2 OZ of Ham 86. Did not do 151 float. And it was plenty boozey :) Do wont to tell anyone how to make their drink. Just sayin u can tweak it if u want.
The Roomie and I rated it a 9.5 !! And will have it again next Tiki Tuesday.
Maraschino liqueur was one of the first liqueurs I bought yet easily my least used. Maybe it's time to break it out!
Completely agree with you about balanced drinks! Balanced drinks are great, but I don't want everything I drink to be balanced - if every drink in a bar was equally balanced, what a boring bar that would be. A little "unbalancing" is a good thing from time to time. I like to describe the demerara dry float as sort of like an alcoholic limeade. It's a phenomenal drink
Fair and balanced?
I feel this would be a super good party drink!
The ice shaver is the best love it for cones and shells
This is a great drink Derek! (I'm enjoying the SC version right now.) Sweetness on the front with a great tart finish - and rummy all the way through!!
My favorite version so far is a Double Denizen. 1.5 oz of merchants reserve in main drink and 1.0 oz of vatted dark as the float with SC specs otherwise.
Coincidentally, I made some passionfruit syrup for the first time last week and got out my copy of Smugglers Cove and made this. I absolutely loved it. I'm in Australia and can't get Hamilton, so I used El Dorado 5 year and Plantation OFTD. For my palate, I needed the full 3/4 oz of OFTD
OFTD will make an excellent float for this one.
Loved the bit on glassware. I'm always looking for cool glassware at thrift stores. I think I found my next rabbit hole to go down...
I'm all about tart cocktails, especially with a good cigar.
I love the smugglers cove version. I'm going to make a second one to check if it was really that good ;P
Love the Dry Float - but as you said, I love tart drinks so it’s designed for me. I’ll have to try it tonight with some Appleton in it. Thanks!
Wow, your favorite cocktail. 🤔. I’m gonna give it a try based your recommendation. Thanks! Beautifully made video btw 👍❤️
Thank you!
Whenever I try out a new cocktail recipe, I make it, taste it, and add more simple syrup, agave, whatever, according to the demands of my sweet-tooth. That drink has a lot of lime juice in it. I have a feeling I'll be adding some syrup to it.
For some reason I find these to be summer in a glass... Maybe because the first time it was during a hot summer day!
INSTANT FAVORITE! Thank you so much Bro - I love this drink!
If Derek find a cocktail that he enjoys Maraschino liqueur in it, then I'll give it a try. Not my fav but i trust my bartender!
As a dedicated Hemingway Daiquiri drinker, get the Lazzaroni, not Luxardo. It's less floral, while still having the nutty goodness. It also saves you 10 bucks!
You should do a Top 5-10 favorite drinks vid!
Those glamour shots look incredible. What lens are you using? The bokehs look amazing
I mainly use a 35-150 f2-2.8. It's a beast but has great range
One of the all-time classics.
Have you considered contacting a glassblower for a custom job? Idk what the pricing on that would be, but could also be a nice merchandising opportunity.
Regarding mimicking the original don glasses
“A side of danger!” Always loved this.
What is the clear glass you used for the Mai Kai version? I actually quite like that one!
Amaizing drink i need more!
Skipper Nate made me one at Trader Sam's in 2022 I need to make myself another one soon.
This one is amazing, I love it!
I don't know how it works in the US (estate sales?) but the auction houses that clear out homes following a death here in Europe are a treasure trove for vintage glassware and other cocktail related equipment like pins. If you consider the age of most people dying these days-70s and 80s-they would have been buying this stuff from the 50s on-the prime retro/vintage years. Most of the time they're just happy to be able to get rid of it so you can pick up entire collections in boxes for just a few cents a glass.
Fav tiki channel, I'll keep an eye out at thrift stores!
Derek, what was the name of the Libby version of the glass and can you add it to your Amazon glassware list? Great video as always! I def want to give this one a try. Thanks!
Thank you! They didn't have a name in the listing I found online
First time being here. Well deserved subscribe button press.
I’ll take two
Do you use this ice shaver for making mai tai's?
No I use nugget ice for cocktails usually
I stumbled upon one of the Libbey glasses today thrifing. What are the odds?!
That’s awesome. I like them a lot. Very sturdy.
Great piece, spent 30 minutes looking for more of them.
I chuckled at the "...or maybe not" when you showed the Rainforest Cafe glass
I think I bought that for a quarter. Couldn’t pass it up.
@@makeanddrink rainforest cafe is an oddly nostalgic place for me and my family. Everytime we are near one we have to go even if it is just for some drinks and an appetizer. As long as you don't put the glass in sunlight or in a disheasher their glasses will stay bright for a long time
How is that Libbey glass called?
There wasn’t a name in the listing I found. Just vintage Libbey.
"if you don't like Passion fruit you're not gonna like it, if you don't like tartness you're not gonna like it" Who are these people?!
Regarding balance: the general taste preferences of a culture change over time, and what's considered balanced this decade might not be in a few more. Tastes might lean sweeter, tarter, saltier, any number of things. All things are a product of their time.
While that is true, we can also compare a cocktail to the contemporary cocktails of that time. In this case, we can compare this one to others made by the same person and this is very tart compared to other Don the Beachcomber drinks of that era.
Well dang...those glasses didn't last long, lol. Good video though man! Love a Demerara Dry Float!
Thank you!
@makeanddrink Do you by chance have any vintage Trader Vic's Port Light glasses or Voodoo Tumbler glasses?
Finally! The best and the side of danger
At the risk of being labeled a blasphemer, I've found that if you just get rid of the float concept and throw the 151 in with the rest of the ingredients it balances the drink out significantly and you don't have to fuss with trying to balance it while drinking, though I get that is part of the whole point.
@@lynkdead you’re canceled.
I still have not tried this one! I guess it's time🗿
Wait I'm cool....shit now I have to try it 😆
Made it....its tart....its amazing....am I cool?
You’re getting there.
Sometimes you have to balance your drink with your food not itself, and balance can be overated.