Beachbum Berry: From Prohibition to Polynesia - The Real Story of Tiki

Join host Trey Malone as he sits down with the legendary Beachbum Berry at Latitude 29 in New Orleans' French Quarter for an unforgettable deep dive into the world of Tiki.Over glasses of the Hamilton Beachbum Berry Navy Grog blend, they explore the fascinating origins of Tiki culture—from Ernest Raymond Beaumont Gantt's (aka Don the Beachcomber) rum-running grandfather in Mandeville, Louisiana, to the revolutionary cocktail techniques that transformed Hollywood during Prohibition. Beachbum reveals how Don's innovative approach of blending multiple rums and using the electric blender as cutting-edge technology created the "rum rhapsodies" that launched a 40-year cultural phenomenon.This episode goes beyond the drinks to examine what Tiki truly represents: a mini-vacation, an escape from reality that thrived during the Depression, World War II, and the Cold War. Beachbum Berry addresses the evolution of Tiki drinks in the craft cocktail era, the important distinction between cultural appreciation and misappropriation, and why rum became the spirit of choice when whiskey and gin drinkers wanted nothing to do with it. Whether you're a Tiki enthusiast or just discovering this world, you'll gain new appreciation for the art, history, and human connection at the heart of Tiki culture.