Midnight at the Bourbon Oasis!
January 29, 2015
By Jillian Owens
Those of us who have entered Bourbon (located at 1214 Main St.) on this blustery & chilly week might think they’re seeing a mirage. Its sleek modern-yet-sorta-vintage décor has taken on a dramatic new look!
What the….?
That’s not all! Bourbon has taken on a totally new drink and food menu as well. What’s the occasion, you ask?
Wowza!
It’s Tiki Week! For this brief but blissful time, the good folks of Columbia can escape from the windy coldness into one of America’s finest cocktail ages! From 1934 through the 70’s, Tiki Cocktails were all the rage. Known for their fruity tropical flavors, such as pineapple, hibiscus, and coconut, these boozy bevvies also packed a mean wallup with plenty of liquor (mostly rum) to help make the mid-century a bit more laid-back.
Bourbon has done a fine job of recreating some of the classics of the period, such as “The Holy Grail of Tiki cocktails”,The Zombie.
With Appleton V/X Rum, Cruzan Aged Rum, Don 151 Rum, Velvet Falernum, Grenadine, Herbasaint, Angostura, and Don’s Mix #4, this coctail is both strong & sweet!
They’ve also brought out some popular standards, such as the Trader Vic Bergeron original Mai Thai.
So refreshing! So tart! But get your own! This is MY Thai! 😉
The award for Most Beautiful Beverage goes to The Scorpion!
You’re looking at Cruzan Aged White Rum, Pierre Ferrand 1840 Cognac, Orange Juice, LemonJuice, Orgeat, and the last of my inhibitions!
If you’re a fan of the Scorpion, Why not get a bowl to share with friends? The presentation alone makes it worthwhile.
Fire!
Serves 3-4!
But you don’t HAVE to share, I suppose….
These cocktails are very impressive, but I have to say my absolute favorite Bourbon Tiki Week cocktail is…THE PAINKILLER. It’s the 1970 original from the Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke in the Virgin Islands, and it’s a creamy, nutmeggy, fruity treat that will make you think of a Pina Colada mixed with an Orange Julius – in the best of all possible ways!
If I didn’t have any pains, I’d create them just so I could kill them with this!
Are you digging it? Are you sad that the week is almost over? Well…don’t be! I just got word that due to overwhelming demand, Bourbon is extending their Tiki Week through Saturday, February 7th! You can check out more pics of this fun happening on their Facebook page…but seeing ain’t tasting!
Cheers!
* hiccup *
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