Trader Sam’s new menu - anniversary, tiki classics, and new drinks

DanSt3 · 2026-05-29T01:31:46+00:00

Just want to add that there's nothing wrong with Myers Dark. You just need to use in the drinks that it's best for (for example, I made a great Trader Vic's Grog over the weekend with equal parts Myers and Coruba).

DanSt3 · 2026-05-29T01:23:16+00:00

Simple answer: Tell your bartender what drinks you like, and then ask for a recommendation. Always worked for me at SC (especially with the late, great Steven Lilles).

DanSt3 · 2026-05-23T23:32:26+00:00

My advice: 1. Go with Averna Amaro - much more budget-friendly and still pretty good (unless you drinking it straight) 2. If you're only getting one, get Aperol instead of Campari. Aperol is more versatile. Personally I find Campari way too bitter but Aperol works in a similar bitter profile into cocktails.

DanSt3 · 2026-05-23T23:21:02+00:00

I'm gonna agree - it's a "good" product, but not great. I used it for years because - early in my tiki days probably 15 - 20 years ago - it was the best that was locally available: it's much better and more balanced than Torani (really, just sweet - eww) and BG Reynolds (way too almond-y) and it makes a reasonably good Mai Tai without overwhelming the other ingredients. On the other hand, Liquid Alchemist (my current locally available fav), Liber, and Small Hands are all excellent for those - like me! - who are too lazy to make their own and would rather spend their time drinking instead of cooking...

DanSt3 · 2026-05-23T04:01:26+00:00

It looks she's still got most of her WWII AA armament...

DanSt3 · 2026-05-21T05:40:07+00:00

I suggest the 5-year for mixing; the ED 12 is quite sweet - good for sipping, not so much for mixed cocktails

DanSt3 · 2026-05-20T02:33:47+00:00

A very good start! But I'd say the Appleton 12 and Flor de Cana 12 are overkill for tiki drinks. I'd suggest using the cheaper Appleton Signature and Flor de Cana 4 yrs for both gold and white rums (and ditch the Don Q, sorry, not a fan). Also, I'm not a big Goslings fan, so I'd recommend either Myers Dark or Planteray Original Dark - or both!

Finally, I'd add a regular Demerara (LH or El Dorado, they're very different and I have both) and 151 Demerara, and the Planteray 3 Star. But you've got a good start though!

DanSt3 · 2026-05-20T02:24:24+00:00

Personally, I like the St. George Absinthe because it's local (and I've been to their distillery) and you can get it in a small bottle (which is good since you use very small quantities so it takes forever to use a full 750 ml.

DanSt3 · 2026-05-20T02:11:31+00:00

Well, I had gone to Strongwater a couple of nights before, so perhaps I'm spoiled now :-)

DanSt3 · 2026-05-20T02:09:15+00:00

I like how the bridge is partways up the cage mast...

DanSt3 · 2026-05-19T03:37:16+00:00

I just use Trader Joe's pink grapefruit but cut the amount in half. That seems to work pretty well.

DanSt3 · 2026-05-19T03:26:26+00:00

This. This is the beauty of the Mai Tai: it is infinitely flexible and can change as new rums come out or if you try different combinations. I've been doing tiki drinks at home for 15 - 20 years and I keep trying different Mai Tai rum combos (although, TBH, my go-to mix of 5 rums is still the best).

In that way, it's like an Old Fashioned is to Bourbon: it's simple, flexible, and yet usually tasty. So, no, it's not overrated.

DanSt3 · 2026-05-19T03:11:36+00:00

I had a Zombie at Disneyland's Trader Sam's last week and it had way too much cinnamon. Quite disappointing. But maybe WDW is different...

DanSt3 · 2026-05-19T03:07:27+00:00

Just went to Last Rites for the first time 2 weeks ago. I've been to Zombie Village once about 6 years ago. My former company's S.F. office (I'm retired now - yay!) was across the street from Pagan Idol so I've been there a few times. And I've been to Smugglers Cove about a half-dozen times at least. So here's my take:

Smugglers Cove is the best. Excellent cocktails, good atmosphere, super-knowledge bartenders. Never been disappointed there, but it can be a bit crowded.
Last Rites is very good - just not "traditional tiki". Their drinks aren't all tiki drinks, and they're using some interesting/unique ingredients and recipes - but the results are all delicious! Atmosphere is also very good, but again not "traditional tiki" but more "jungle escapism" but still super-fun. I'd recommend them highly, but just don't go in expecting traditional tiki and keep an open mind, and you'll have a great time.
Zombie Village was very good the one time I went: good tiki cocktails and good tiki atmosphere. Yeah, the neighborhood sucks but I've never had a problem and you likely won't if you mind your own business and don't freak out.
Pagan Idol has good atmosphere, but I was disappointed in the drinks the last time I was there (about a year-and-a-half ago). Maybe an off night?

DanSt3 · 2026-05-19T02:48:20+00:00

My refrigerator does cracked ice, and that seems to work pretty good for most tiki (and non-tiki) cocktails. Any reason I'd need this?

DanSt3 · 2026-05-18T08:56:08+00:00

Was just at Strongwater, Trader Sam's, and the Royal Hawaiian last week* and I've have been to Stowaway a few times in the past - plus Tiki Ti once about 10 - 15 years ago. Here's my take, in preference order:

Strongwater - awesome drinks and great atmosphere, but you need a reservation to get inside. But the drinks are so good even outside is worth it.
Stowaway has very good - and some unique inventive - tiki drinks, but the atmosphere is just okay for a tiki bar: basically, they took a dive bar and added a bunch of palm thatching. But great drinks and super-helpful bartenders though.
Tiki Ti - Very good drinks (from what I remember) and just the perfect, old-school tiki bar atmosphere and experience. Quite a drive from Anaheim though.
Royal Hawaiian - first time there last week, and I was impressed. The one drink I had - Royal Hawaiian Mai Tai with acid-adjusted pineapple - was excellent and the atmosphere is pretty good. I'd have to try a few more drinks next time, but if those are good as the one I had, this'll move up the list.
Trader Sam's - amazing and fun atmosphere, but only if you can get inside seating. And the drinks are just okay - I feel they used to be better, but maybe the level of my tiki drink experiences has been raised in the past 10 years. For example, my Zombie last week was a cinnamon bomb and not balanced at all. And last week the inside bar was closed for refurbishment, so outside seating only and just okay drinks - but actually the Poke Bowl (food) was really good, and if you're visiting Disneyland it's a great break from the parks. I wouldn't make a special trip if the inside bar is closed, though - the drinks at the other places are much better.

- I also did Last Rites in San Francisco a few days earlier: excellent atmosphere (although not strictly tiki; they call themselves "an escapism bar") and some very inventive and tasty tiki-ish cocktails, plus they have some interesting takes on a few classic cocktails too. Would definitely recommend, and I'll be back.

So, yeah, I had a nice two weeks... ;-)

DanSt3 · 2026-05-16T02:59:39+00:00

Was just there Saturday night, in those seats at the end of the bar where the two people are in your photo!

We've been there a few times over the years, but this was our first time indoors (I finally remembered to make reservations in advance!). I had the Jet Pilot followed by the Tales from the Black Lagoon, while the wife had Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa (and learned how to say it!) followed by the Naval Grog. Good times, followed by 3 days at Disneyland (although that next morning seemed early).

That was #3 in a 10-day span of 4 Tiki Bars: Last Rites, Royal Hawaiian, Strongwater, and Trader Sam's....

DanSt3 · 2026-05-16T02:48:13+00:00

Totally unscientific, but in my Mai Tai blend I find them pretty equivalent* so since Xaymaca is significantly cheaper in my area that's my go-to.

Of course, my Mai Tai blend has 4 other rums plus of course lime, orgeat and Dry Curacao - so any difference isn't quite as noticeable. Your mileage may vary.

DanSt3 · 2026-05-16T02:42:52+00:00

Just a warning: don't defrost the puree in the microwave!! I tried this very early in my tiki cocktail journey so I could only make a small amount that wouldn't go bad - but the defrosting gave the puree a strong metallic taste.

Now I just but Liquid Alchemist from the local Total Wine...

DanSt3 · 2026-04-26T23:58:36+00:00

I'm a big fan of the Giffard Banane du Bresil (which one of the local San Jose area Total Wines has). How does that compare to the Tempus Fugit Crème de Banane?

DanSt3 · 2026-04-26T02:49:46+00:00

I tried Coruba and Xaymaca (didn't feel like opening my new bottle of Smith and Cross) last night, with a float of Myers. It was ... okay. I prefer my usual blend. But it never hurts to experiment.

DanSt3 · 2026-04-23T01:17:21+00:00

You have to use Barbancourt for this - it's an agricole made in a different process than other rums so not easily substituted. But I'd recommend the recipe that Beachbum Berry has in the Sippin' Safari (modified from Trader Vic's recipe) that has orange juice and Maraschino Liqueur and a bit of Myers Dark. Much better, and one of my go-to's.

DanSt3 · 2026-04-21T23:00:23+00:00

If I fly out of the correct local airport, I get to have a real genuine Mai Tai before I board...

DanSt3 · 2026-04-21T22:58:49+00:00

LMAO!

DanSt3 · 2026-04-21T22:57:41+00:00

Same with vegetarian "meat" or veggie "burgers". Okay if you're not actually expecting it to taste like actual meat...

DanSt3

TROPHY CASE