Don’s Gardenia Mix
A long list of homemade and occasionally obscure ingredients can be found in tiki and tropical cocktails, such as Don's Gardenia Mix, falernum (a Caribbean liqueur made from ginger, lime, almonds, and spices), and orgeat (a sweet and nutty syrup typically made from almonds). The latter, which is one of the many flavor-bomb creations conceived by the renowned Donn Beach of Don the Beachcomber, blends honey, butter, and spices.
Don’s Gardenia Mix
Donn Beach was a true pioneer of Tiki culture, opening his iconic bar in Los Angeles during the 1930s and creating many classic cocktails, including the famous Zombie. He also developed unique syrups and mixers, like his Gardenia Mix, to elevate his drinks.
The resurgence of interest in Don’s Gardenia Mix is thanks in part to Tiki expert Jeff “Beachbum” Berry, who revived it along with the Pearl Diver cocktail in 2006.
How to Make Don’s Gardenia MixThis mix is easy to whip up and can be used in cocktails or as a flavorful addition to other dishes.
Ingredients- 1 ounce honey
- 1 ounce unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon syrup*
- ½ teaspoon allspice liqueur
- ½ teaspoon vanilla syrup
- In a bowl, combine the honey, unsalted butter, cinnamon syrup, allspice liqueur, and vanilla syrup.
- Use a spatula or an electric mixer to whip the ingredients together until smooth and creamy.
- Transfer the mixture to a bottle and refrigerate. It will stay fresh for up to a week.
Try it in a Pearl Diver cocktail or experiment with other creative uses to enjoy its rich flavor and creamy texture!
