Creating an Audacious Tiki-style Drink with a Scotch Influence: Instructions for the High and Mysterious "Tall as a Tree, Twice as Shady" Cocktail
Tall as a Tree and Twice as Shady: A Classic Tiki Cocktail
In the heart of Chicago's River North neighborhood, Three Dots and a Dash, a tiki bar, opened its doors in the middle of 2013. The brainchild of Paul McGee, the bar's opening menu featured a cocktail that quickly became a fan favourite - Tall as a Tree and Twice as Shady.
This tropical delight is a nod to Trader Vic's London Sour from 1972. It's a harmonious blend of flavours, with blended Scotch, Batavia Arrack (or its Jamaican rum substitute), lemon juice, Orgeat, and pineapple juice.
The choice of lemon juice over lime is intentional, as it pairs better with Scotch. Batavia Arrack, a spirit made from 98 percent sugar cane and 2 percent red rice, adds tropical fruit and subtle smoky elements to the cocktail. Aged Jamaican rum, either mild or intense, can be used as a substitute for Batavia Arrack.
Orgeat, an almond syrup, is a necessary ingredient for this cocktail. McGee, in his opening of Three Dots and a Dash, opted for the Barmixer brand. Other suitable options for buying Orgeat include Liquid Alchemist, Small Hands Foods, Giffard, and brands with a marzipan-forward flavour.
The cocktail is shaken on crushed ice and poured into a tiki mug or tall glass. It's garnished with pineapple leaves and/or mint, adding a final touch of tropical elegance.
Cans of Dole pineapple juice work perfectly well for the Tall as a Tree and Twice as Shady cocktail, though fresh pineapple juice is more subtle and has a better texture. Simpler blends such as Compass Box Artist Blend, Famous Grouse, or Scottish Glory work well with this cocktail. A 10-year-old bottling from Springbank is another suitable option, according to McGee, who prefers a blended Scotch with a mild-to-medium smoky note, such as White Horse from the Lagavulin distillery.
The name Tall as a Tree and Twice as Shady is a Southern saying, though its specific origin is unknown. Regardless of its origins, this cocktail has become a staple in the world of tiki drinks, offering a unique blend of flavours that transport you to a tropical paradise.
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