Pearl Diver Cocktail Recipe

RECIPE: Decoded from an encrypted recipe by Jeff Berry, Beachbum Berry’s Latitude 29, New Orleans

Photo: Jochen Hirschfeld

May 22, 2019

Beachbum Berry reveals the secret recipe for this 1950s-era tiki classic.

In 2007, Beachbum Berry’s Sippin’ Safari revealed the long-secret recipes for a number of classic tiki concoctions such as the Pearl Diver, a 1950s-era drink from Polynesian-style pioneer Don the Beachcomber.

Ingredients

1 1/2 oz. gold Puerto Rican rum
1/2 oz. demerara rum
1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
1/2 oz. fresh orange juice
1/2 oz. Don’s gardenia mix
1 dash Angostura bitters
1/2 cup crushed ice

Tools:blender, fine strainer
Glass:Pearl Diver glass, or other tall, decorative glass
Garnish:banana leaf or pineapple leaf

Preparation

Combine ingredients in a blender and blend on high for 20 seconds. Strain through a mesh strainer into a glass and add fresh crushed ice to fill. Garnish.

Don’s Gardenia MixUsing a spatula or an electric kitchen mixer, cream 1 oz. of honey with 1 oz. of softened, unsalted butter; add 1 tsp. of cinnamon syrup, 1/2 tsp. of vanilla syrup and 1/2 tsp. of allspice liqueur. Refrigerate the remainder for up to 1 week.