Inspired by the wild Kakamora pirate attack on Moana and Maui, this tiki-style cocktail blends Coconut Rum, Spiced Rum, Banana Syrup, Pineapple, Lemon, and classic Gardenia Mix into a creamy, tangy, and tropical drink perfect for mischievous mayhem or post-battle refreshment. (Recipe Below)
After much convincing, Moana does get Maui to board her boat, but doesn’t convince him to help her until their run in with the Kakamora the inspiration for our second cocktail. These savage little pirates who are very small in stature, but mighty in number and poison-tipped darts descend upon Moana and Maui. This is sure to be a battle that requires a cocktail, inspired by the murdering little pirates and their fun tiki style. Coconut rum is of course the base in this cocktail, and those fun, tiki flavors of Spiced Rum Coconut Milk, Banana Syrup, Pineapple Juice, Lemon Juice, and Gardenia Mix from the original Tiki bartender Donn the Beachcomber. The result is a creamy, tangy, sweet and lightly spiced drink that would be refreshing after a day of pillaging or terrorizing and island princess and a demi-god.
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Kakamora
1.5 oz (45 mL) Coconut Rum
.5 oz (15 mL) Spiced Rum
1 oz (30 mL) Canned Coconut Milk
.5 oz (15 mL) Barkeepers Banana Syrup
.75 oz (22 mL) Pineapple Juice
.5 oz (15 mL) Don's Gardenia Mix
.25 oz (7.5 mL) Lemon Juice
Pinch Salt
Garnish Nutmeg
In a shaker, Combine 1.5 oz Coconut Rum, .5 oz Spiced Rum, 1 oz Coconut Milk, .75 oz Banana Syrup, 1 oz Pineapple Juice, .25 oz Lemon Juice, .75 oz Donn's mix and a pinch of salt. Add ice, spring, ice and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Strain into a coconut goblet or tiki glass. Grate nutmeg over top.
Don’s Gardenia Mix
1 oz 30 mL Honey
1 oz 30 mL Warm Pie Spice Rich Syrup
1 oz (30 mL) Butter
Bar spoon Vanilla
Combine all ingredients into a mixing bowl and stir with a spatula until homogenous and creamy.
Pie Spice Syrup
1.5 Tbsp (22.5 g) Cinnamon
1 tsp (5 g) Ginger
1 tsp (5 g) Allspice
.5 tsp Cloves
.25 tsp (2.5 g) Black Pepper
.66 Cup (170 g) Granulated Sugar
.33 Cup (83 g)Water
*Note- We like to use whole spices in syrups, but if you’re using it all in the Don’s Gardenia Mix, using ground spices works fine.
Combine everything into a small saucepan and stir until combined. Put saucepan onto medium-low heat and stir until sugar is dissolved. Stop stirring and allow to simmer until small bubble break the surface. Immediately remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before making the Gardenia Mix.
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Malibu Coconut Rum
42 proof/21% ABV
Pernod Ricard
A molasses based rum that is distilled and then flavored with coconut. Strongly flavored with artificial coconut flavor, this coconut flavor is ideally mixed with balancing acids or flavors that can stand up to its own.
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Kraken Spiced Rum
94 proof/47% ABV
Proximo Spirits
Distilled from sugar cane molasses, aged, then blended with proprietary blend of spices. The result is a warming rum by flavor and alcohol burn. Vanilla and pie spice flavors accompany the warmth.
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Full Fat Coconut Milk
12% - 15% Fat
Found canned in the supermarket, full-fat coconut milk is made by using the flesh of mature coconuts pureed with water producing a lightly sweet, creamy and coconut flavored milk. Store at room temperature, and when ready to use, be sure to redistribute the fat that collects at the top. Fat in cocktails adds a silky texture along with holds and carries flavor throughout the palate.
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Banana Syrup
Banana has a distinct and recognizable flavor that immediately brings to mind the tropics. Barkeepers banana syrup is available to buy or it can easily be made using the saccharum method. Clean the banana peels then cut into manageable size and combine with and equal weight of granulated sugar. Allow it to macerate for 48 hours then strain into a syrup bottle and store in the refrigerator.
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Don's Gardenia Mix
Don's Gardenia Mix was created by Tiki creator Don Beach. The syrup and fat from the butter brings richness to the syrup to carry the spiced flavors of the Caribbean throughout the drink.
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Pineapple Juice
4-6% Acidity
Similar to Lemon Juice in acidity, but significantly more natural sugars which leaves a naturally balanced juice if freshly pressed. It is highly recommended to test the sweetness of the juice before adding additional sweeteners.
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Lime Juice
6% - 8.5% Acidity
Lime juice is generally the most acidic of the citrus fruit juices used cocktails. The high acidity can help balance flavors and smooth bitterness as well as astringent flavors of high-spirited or unfiltered alcohol. Limes that have had more time to ripen will render a more concentrated and sweeter flavor with floral notes adding complexity to a cocktail. It is advisable to taste your fresh-pressed juice and adjust added sweeteners accordingly.
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Salt
Salt is a great flavor booster. It can balance sweetness and bitterness, smoothing out a cocktail. It can also enhance citrus flavor and acidity without the need for more acid. It is most commonly used in rimming cocktail glasses, but a sprinkle in the cocktail shaker can really impact a cocktail. Make it into a saline solution to enhance stirred cocktails.
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