NOLADrinks Show – 12-2-19 – Sippin’ Santa with Jeff “Beachbum” Berry

On this edition of The NOLADrinks Show, we’re talking holiday Tiki cocktails at Latitude 29! We’re joined by co-proprietor and cocktail historian, Jeff “Beachbum” Berry, and Brad Smith, general manager and head bartender. We discuss flavors, sample some drinks, and discuss the Planter’s Punch cocktail and its long history and influence.

Pictured above from left – Jeff “Beachbum Berry of Latitude 29, Bryan Dias of The NOLADrinks Show, Brad Smith of Latitude 29.

NOLADrinks Show – 12-2-19 – Sippin’ Santa with Jeff “Beachbum” Berry

We start things off letting you know about this week’s show and a new exhibit at The Historic New Orleans Collection on the history of sports in the NOLA area.

Then, it’s off to our featured interview at the fine French Quarter Tiki bar and restaurant, Latitude 29, founded by co-proprietors Jeff “Beachbum” Berry and Annene Kaye-Berry. We’re joined by Jeff as well as their general manager and head bartender, Brad Smith.

Jeff, as you know, is the world’s foremost Tiki cocktail and culture historian and author. He is also one of our favorite regular guests and his cocktail knowledge goes well-beyond Tiki. It’s Brad’s first time on the show. An exceptionally talented bartender, we get a bit of his background and how he came to work with Jeff and Annene at Latitude 29.

Next, we move into a conversation about their “Sippin’ Santa” program, a collaboration between Jeff and Cocktail Kingdom. The idea is a seasonal cocktail list and presentation (think: decorations, themed glasses, and more!) featuring holiday-inspired beverages. We talk about the program, which now boasts participation from numerous bars around the US and Canada, and how it works.

Of course, we sip on a few selections and discuss them, including a chat on how the holiday flavor palate works well in Tiki drinks. Throughout, we touch on how many of these drinks are built on the basic Tiki “code” and how many of these are variations on classic drinks. We unpack a lot of flavor and history!

Jeff and Brad stick around for our podcast-only segment – “Another Shot with NOLADrinks” – where we chat a bit more about the program. Mainly, we have a detailed discussion on the classic Planter’s Punch cocktail and its interesting (and sometimes “murky” history.) We talk about its role as a touchstone drink in both the Tiki and overall cocktail world. We also chat about “allspice” and its central role in Tiki drinks.

Pictured at left from left – Bryan Dias of The NOLADrinks Show and Jeff “Beachbum” Berry of Latitude 29.

We close things out with our “Parting Shot” on balance and taste in cocktails.

The map below shows the location of Latitude 29. You can subscribe to, stream, and download The NOLADrinks Show with Bryan Dias podcast using the links and player at the top of this post.

Cheers, You All!

~ Bryan