Sippin' Safari: In Search of the Great "Lost" Tropical Drink Recipes... and the People Behind Them (Paperback)

by Jeff Berry (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The new book by the Author of The Grog Log, Intoxica and Taboo Table. Beach Bum Berry as he is better known is America s leading authority on tropical drinks and polynesian pop-culture. In this all new book, Berry not only offers up tantilizing new drink recipes, but tells stories about some of the most famous figures of their time. The Bum applies the same dogged research to the untold stories of the people behind the drinks. Stories culled from over 100 interviews with those who actually created the mid-century Tiki scene -- people as colorful as the drinks they invented, or served, or simply drank. People like... Leon Lontoc, the Don The Beachcomber's waiter who served Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando by night, and acted in their movies by day...; Henry Riddle, the Malibu Seacomber bartender who fed items about his famous customers to infamous gossip columnist Louella Parsons, till the day Howard Hughes found him out...; and Duke Kamanamoku, whose manager turned him from Olympic champion into reluctant restaurateur.

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: SLG Publishing; illustrated edition edition (June 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593620675
• ISBN-13: 978-1593620677
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #93,221 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's like having the keys to the safes at Los Alamos, August 3, 2007

By	Retired Teacher "Brilliantglass" (Palm Desert) - See all my reviews

Berry's previous works, The Grog Log, Intoxica, and Taboo Table provide home mixologist who long to make truly spectacular drinks, the core recipes for most of the great Polynesian drinks of the past. However, that said, Sippin' Safari is the long awaited Tour de Force that has finally provided the home drink bum what he or she has so sorely been waiting for: A really good story to go with their drink!

Along with all of his newly shared recipes like the Pearl Diver and the Tiger Shark, Berry shares with his readers the stories about the men who designed and produced these drinks to begin with. After delving deep into the story of Don the Beachcomber, his choices of ingredients seem to make more sense, i.e Falernum, Pernod, Bitters, etc. In fact, it becomes obvious that these men may be known by way they make their drinks.

Sippin' Safari goes one step even better. For the first time, the hidden secret ingredients as well as the techniques associated with making them are revealed for reader. If making truly great Polynesian drinks is your thing, then Sippin Safari is an essential part of your canon of mixing.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Tiki joy to behold, July 22, 2007

By	S. A. Kirsten "Tikimod" (Silverlake) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

With its stellar research, witty writing style and juicy imagery this Tiki tome is really a treat way beyond the drink recipes in it. It recaptures the history of Polynesian pop as viewed through a cocktail glass, with a wealth of deep information and never before seen visual material. By meeting the makers and shakers of many fine but forgotten cocktail creations, the mixing and imbibing of these potent potions will allow you to taste history, and picture yourself lounging in the long gone Polynesian palaces depicted in this book. A gem.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Greatest tiki book ever, November 24, 2007

By	J. K. Holzapfel "Tiki master" (Hockessin, DE USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My copy of Beach Bum Berry's new book arrived and I have now read it cover to cover. All I can say is it is an awesome read.

Like a perfectly mixed tiki cocktail, it is a balanced mixture of tiki history, plenty of mixology, personal interviews and lots of beautiful color photos stirred in (one on just about every page). It is a great book on its own but it also has all recipies for all the classic tiki drinks in one book. Mai Tai, Zombie, Pearl Diver, Derby Daquari, etc. etc. they are all in here. If I was stranded on a tropical island and could only bring one tiki book this would have to be the one I would choose.

Now go and buy your own copy and place it in a position of honor on that shelf behind your tiki bar.