Trader Vic brought us many of the best Tiki drinks ever created. Born Victor Jules Bergeron Jr he established a chain of Polynesian restaurants in the 1950’s & 60’s featuring elaborate cocktail creations known as “Tiki” drinks. His restaurants were decorated in campy faux artifacts from the South Pacific and featured oversized drinks served in ornate ceramic glassware that for a small fee could go home with you as a souvenir. The drink lists were long with Polynesian named cocktails and though most have fallen into bartending obscurity, a handful remain as Tiki classics in the bartending community.
The Scorpion Bowl was a Trader Vic creation, served in an ornate ceramic bowl and meant to be shared between two, three or more. The exact recipe is a bit illusive as Bergeron often blended some of the ingredients in advance as to keep them a secret even from the bartenders that mixed them daily. What we do know for sure is that the Scorpion contains a potent blend of rum, brandy and orgeat (almond syrup) embellished with various tropical juices. Below we offer you a rendition that we have offered our guests for years. It’s based on the original but toned down slightly for today’s palate. The proportions we give are for an individual drink, but if you can actually find a Scorpion bowl, multiply our ingredients 4-fold, strap in and throw away your car keys because you are in for a long night! In this day and age, we do not particularly suggest the communal bowl for numerous reasons but do still love the Scorpion for its spirited sting and fruity goodness.
Scorpion Cocktail
In a Blender with one scoop of shaved ice add:
- 2 Ounces of Light Rum (We Like Bacardi Light)
- 1 Ounce of Premium Brandy (We Use Gran Duc D’Alba Spanish Brandy for its rich vanilla character)
- ½ Ounce Orgeat Syrup
- 2 Ounces Fresh Orange Juice
- 1 ½ Ounces Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
Blend all ingredients together. Pour into a 14-16 ounce glass, mug, or one person volcano bowl. Add ice, and garnish with gardenia or any variety of fresh fruit you can muster to make it look pretty. Finish with a Long Straw.
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