I love that your recipe videos become lectures on the cocktails you are making. Thanks so much for putting in all the research (and finding great stills and magazine clippings) for these!
Was in Nassau earlier this year. Spent the day on the island hopping around different bars, restaurants. Even hit the drinks at the rum distillery on the island. Wandered into a jewelry shop, where they were giving out free Bahama Mama's from a dispenser, as freely as Kool aid to kids. Straight up serve yourself. Who knows what was in it. All I know, is after all the establishments we went to, that jewelry store kool-aid dispenser Bahama mama was the best drink we had on that island. 😂
Back in the 1980's there was a bar somewhere north of Sebastian Inlet, Florida. They had a signature drink called a Bahama Mama and if you could drink 4 of them you were allowed to write your name on the wall. It was a different time...
I could watch the shots all day of the close ups of the ingredient pours and the whole process of making these cocktails. The production quality of this channel punches way above it's weight. Always interesting to see what you do with these historical dives and what comes out of them. This version of the Bahama Mama is definitely something I'd try over what gets served in chain restaurants these days.
Let me tell you I used to make tons of these at TGI Fridays in the early 2000s. Back then it was a kitchen sink rum punch with sweet and sour and Creme de banana the neon yellow Bols
I just can’t stress how great these videos are - I wish I had your experience with video and audio production, you’ve genuinely set the bar for me, and on top of that, make some pretty phenomenal cocktails - thanks man 🍹
I just got back from an all-inclusive resort in punta cana, dr and one of their included drinks was a “banana mama” with white rum, banana, coconut cream, and grenadine
I made it and... It's bad :D really bad.. Orange by itself is very weak in taste and this was just too tasteless for me. However! I do like the version on Barfly channel which has overproof rum and banana liqueuer. Anyway, Derek is already the goat of youtube tiki content ❤
The majority of bad Mai Tai recipes I see on menus are just Bahama Mamas with the wrong name. I don't have a problem with boat drinks, but when you use better ingredients it makes the cocktail sing. I have a love of the Hurricane and I've been working on a variety of combinations like Kevin Crossman has done for the Mai Tai. It's not easy work, but somebody's got to do it. For science!
If looking for how Nassau Royal tastes maybe reach out to Bruce from Bartalk and Cockrails (another UA-cam channel) as he has a bottle on the back bar. Great video and so many variations of Bahama Mama.
I have a friend who occasionally asks for this drink, but I had unsuccessfully searched for some consensus on the recipe. I'm fairly certain that his association with the cocktail stems from his having had some on spring break in the '80s, so of course he can't offer any guidance on the ingredient list. I'll serve him this version the next time he makes the request. Thanks for more of the excellent content. ETA: which Denizen light rum did you use? I couldn't see the label. Thanks.
I’m not sure where I got this but here is what is in my recipe file 1/2 Grenadine 1/2 Coconut Cream 1/2 Lime 1 OJ 2 Pineapple 1/2 Banana Liqueur (giffard) 1 Trader Vic’s Dark Rum 1 Plantation Dark I would play with run any day but TV Dark has a very distinctive flavor so use if you got it.
I mentioned this on Discord, but for engagement and any non-Patrons, Last Rites used to have a cocktail called Bahama Trauma that was obviously inspired by some version of this. It was excellent (as are all their drinks) and may be worth looking at for potential tweaks to this spec. Their drink uses their old overproof spiced rum blend plus 151 proof Demerara rum, apricot liqueur (Giffard), swedish punsch (Kronan), lime juice, cinnamon syrup, and chocolate bitters (I suspect Portland Bitters Project). I'd maybe take some influence from this for anyone looking to tinker. In particular, Derek talked about using a different liqueur compared to the orange liqueur in his spec, and also about increasing proof from the rum portion.
I do wonder: there seems to be an even older version of grenadine based on clive pink flowers, a carnatian. The one that's done so today seems to be Rose's, which is fascinating. The pomegranate syrup seems to be a tropical thing, so hey. Sidenote: would it be better to call a coconut syrup "coconut orgeat" instead of "cream of coconut"? It is a drupe after all.
Darcy O’Neil has covered that extensively and historically there are references to the Clove Pink as well as Pomegranate. Most likely, the syrup being called for in post prohibition cocktails is referring to pomegranate syrup. Orgeat is really synonymous with almonds, nuts and the floral components so coconut Orgeat would be super confusing. People should be adopting the term “Cream of Coconut” when referring to any sweetened coconut milk.
The quality of content on this channel is ridiculous - cocktail documentaries are the best documentaries
Thank you!
I love that your recipe videos become lectures on the cocktails you are making. Thanks so much for putting in all the research (and finding great stills and magazine clippings) for these!
Thank you!
Was in Nassau earlier this year. Spent the day on the island hopping around different bars, restaurants. Even hit the drinks at the rum distillery on the island. Wandered into a jewelry shop, where they were giving out free Bahama Mama's from a dispenser, as freely as Kool aid to kids. Straight up serve yourself. Who knows what was in it. All I know, is after all the establishments we went to, that jewelry store kool-aid dispenser Bahama mama was the best drink we had on that island. 😂
Can't beat free
Back in the 1980's there was a bar somewhere north of Sebastian Inlet, Florida. They had a signature drink called a Bahama Mama and if you could drink 4 of them you were allowed to write your name on the wall. It was a different time...
I could watch the shots all day of the close ups of the ingredient pours and the whole process of making these cocktails. The production quality of this channel punches way above it's weight.
Always interesting to see what you do with these historical dives and what comes out of them. This version of the Bahama Mama is definitely something I'd try over what gets served in chain restaurants these days.
Let me tell you I used to make tons of these at TGI Fridays in the early 2000s. Back then it was a kitchen sink rum punch with sweet and sour and Creme de banana the neon yellow Bols
I love these historical videos.
amaizing cocktails i need more Tiki cocktails please. i need more history behind those delicious cocktails.
I just can’t stress how great these videos are - I wish I had your experience with video and audio production, you’ve genuinely set the bar for me, and on top of that, make some pretty phenomenal cocktails - thanks man 🍹
I make the version with coffee liqueur fairly frequently, but will need to add this version to my catalogue.
Another fantastic video!!!
Plantation pineapple in place of the light rum and banana puree I think would make this drink even better.
Finally caught my name in channel supporters! Great episode. Tastes good. But switched back to a banana diver for the night.
I just got back from an all-inclusive resort in punta cana, dr and one of their included drinks was a “banana mama” with white rum, banana, coconut cream, and grenadine
Derek, you're carving a big name for yourself in tiki history with this channel.. youre like a famed author for the modern digital era
Great content man. Commenting for the algorithm.
Appreciate it!
I made it and... It's bad :D really bad.. Orange by itself is very weak in taste and this was just too tasteless for me. However! I do like the version on Barfly channel which has overproof rum and banana liqueuer.
Anyway, Derek is already the goat of youtube tiki content ❤
I thought it was pretty good
Is this your first time using the Denizen Vatted Dark? Not seen it discussed much anywhere.
Not the first but I don't use it often
What Rum’s should I use?
I have Don Q Crystal
O.F.T.D., Probitas, Hamilton Still Pot Black, Denizen 8, and Smith & Cross
I just tried this with banana liqueur subbed in for the orange liqueur-pretty good
Gonna make it today. Might add Mr. Blacks. 🤔 Appreciate your excellent research! 👏
The majority of bad Mai Tai recipes I see on menus are just Bahama Mamas with the wrong name. I don't have a problem with boat drinks, but when you use better ingredients it makes the cocktail sing. I have a love of the Hurricane and I've been working on a variety of combinations like Kevin Crossman has done for the Mai Tai. It's not easy work, but somebody's got to do it. For science!
If looking for how Nassau Royal tastes maybe reach out to Bruce from Bartalk and Cockrails (another UA-cam channel) as he has a bottle on the back bar. Great video and so many variations of Bahama Mama.
I have a friend who occasionally asks for this drink, but I had unsuccessfully searched for some consensus on the recipe. I'm fairly certain that his association with the cocktail stems from his having had some on spring break in the '80s, so of course he can't offer any guidance on the ingredient list. I'll serve him this version the next time he makes the request. Thanks for more of the excellent content.
ETA: which Denizen light rum did you use? I couldn't see the label. Thanks.
I’m not sure where I got this but here is what is in my recipe file
1/2 Grenadine
1/2 Coconut Cream
1/2 Lime
1 OJ
2 Pineapple
1/2 Banana Liqueur (giffard)
1 Trader Vic’s Dark Rum
1 Plantation Dark
I would play with run any day but TV Dark has a very distinctive flavor so use if you got it.
Please make an episode making all the different bahama mama recipes you found and pick a winner!
I mentioned this on Discord, but for engagement and any non-Patrons, Last Rites used to have a cocktail called Bahama Trauma that was obviously inspired by some version of this. It was excellent (as are all their drinks) and may be worth looking at for potential tweaks to this spec. Their drink uses their old overproof spiced rum blend plus 151 proof Demerara rum, apricot liqueur (Giffard), swedish punsch (Kronan), lime juice, cinnamon syrup, and chocolate bitters (I suspect Portland Bitters Project). I'd maybe take some influence from this for anyone looking to tinker. In particular, Derek talked about using a different liqueur compared to the orange liqueur in his spec, and also about increasing proof from the rum portion.
I will always Keep coconut rum in it. It really makes the difference to a unique flavor
Do it!
Who has a bottle of Nassau Royale collecting dust that we can send to Derek?
I'll bet Martin Cate does🤔
I do wonder: there seems to be an even older version of grenadine based on clive pink flowers, a carnatian. The one that's done so today seems to be Rose's, which is fascinating. The pomegranate syrup seems to be a tropical thing, so hey.
Sidenote: would it be better to call a coconut syrup "coconut orgeat" instead of "cream of coconut"? It is a drupe after all.
Darcy O’Neil has covered that extensively and historically there are references to the Clove Pink as well as Pomegranate. Most likely, the syrup being called for in post prohibition cocktails is referring to pomegranate syrup.
Orgeat is really synonymous with almonds, nuts and the floral components so coconut Orgeat would be super confusing. People should be adopting the term “Cream of Coconut” when referring to any sweetened coconut milk.