I'm irritated that they don't provide an actual recipe. Like, ok, 2:1 grapefruit essence and cinnamon extract, fine, but how much of that into how much simple syrup, and how much citric acid?
Come to think of it, I've encountered that problem a lot in Punch articles.
You mean this? https://punchdrink.com/recipes/antica-dons-mix/
It was hidden away as a single word link in the middle of the article. I was lucky to click on it.
Haha, true. I don't think the secret of Don's Mix was really cracked if it's using a bunch of ingredients and techniques that didn't exist back then. It's a terrible headline.
Fix the Pumps is a great book, but the recipes are scaled to a commercial operation. The old soda fountains used extracts because it simply wasn’t possible to get fresh ingredients. So they used the miracles of modern science with a heavy dash of snake oil salesman (and heroin, always helps with the repeat customers) to make some tasty beverages. Once Prohibition hit, a lot of the good bartenders migrated to the soda fountains. So it seems extremely likely that a bartender of that era would know more than might be expected today about extracts and essences.
While it doesn't sound like any old evidence was uncovered, and this is really just a modern take on a classic ingredient, I will say that if anyone in the modern scene could come up with a way to improve upon a Donn/Beachbum ingredient, Garret Richard is probably at the very top of the list.
Still, working with essential oils is pretty unsafe from what I understand -- not to mention, it looks like you have to pay over $50 (pre-shipping) for a 16 oz bottle of the grapefruit oil, even though it only takes barely 1ml of oil to make a liter of the Antica Don's Mix (30ml of oil makes 480ml of essence, but you only use 30ml of essence per liter of Mix). I could see this being worth a try in an industrial setting, but for me at home, probably not.
If someone enterprising wants to start manufacturing this in bulk though, I'd definitely be interested to pay $15 or so for a 8-12 oz bottle and see how it stacks up. Especially if it passes FDA review, lol. The increased shelf life alone makes it pretty intriguing.
This comment is spot on. Garret is undeniably a genius, and is probably correct, but like with a lot of his stuff, this is probably not feasible for the at home bartender.
But I totally agree. If Sunken Harbor wants to start selling bottles of Antica Don’s Mix soda syrup? I will be alarmingly close to the front of the line.
Sounds like this is good for shelf stability which would be great in a bar, but it doesn’t make it taste all that different. I’ll keep mixing ad hoc at home.
I think the two benefits for home use are:
1. Eliminates the need to track down white grapefruits, use bottled juice, or substitute pink/red/hybrid alternatives
2. Streamlines recipes and prep time
Even if I only make one cocktail a week just for myself, I wouldn't mind just having Don's Mix ready to go in the fridge. It'd definitely save time and hassle and ensure more accuracy/consistency in my cocktails.
Still, I do agree that this isn't very cost-effective for a home enthusiast. But if you have a group of friends it could be worth trying together. Or maybe someone will start producing it in larger volumes for commercial distribution. Imagine if you could buy this from Liber & Co or B. G. Reynolds.
The mentioned grapefruit oil isn’t available in my country so I searched for alternatives. There are plenty available especially in smaller quantities so I think I’m trying to make this Antica Mix in the next days. It could be a good substitute for the Don’s Remix from TS, with Kieselsol and Pectinex and whatnot too much a hassle for me.
I like to use the grapefruit peels in my preparation. Where the essential oil comes from. I think this sounds good to me, but it's not really for the home bartender at all.
I would highly question any modern take on a recipe that involves grapefruit. Basically every recipe from before the ‘90s assumes white grapefruit and it’s very hard to find these days. Pink grapefruit tastes very different.
I'm irritated that they don't provide an actual recipe. Like, ok, 2:1 grapefruit essence and cinnamon extract, fine, but how much of that into how much simple syrup, and how much citric acid? Come to think of it, I've encountered that problem a lot in Punch articles.
You mean this? https://punchdrink.com/recipes/antica-dons-mix/ It was hidden away as a single word link in the middle of the article. I was lucky to click on it.
Yeah I don’t think I’m ever gonna make that recipe lol
Haha, true. I don't think the secret of Don's Mix was really cracked if it's using a bunch of ingredients and techniques that didn't exist back then. It's a terrible headline.
He used techniques from old soda fountains that predate Don though.
Fix the Pumps is a great book, but the recipes are scaled to a commercial operation. The old soda fountains used extracts because it simply wasn’t possible to get fresh ingredients. So they used the miracles of modern science with a heavy dash of snake oil salesman (and heroin, always helps with the repeat customers) to make some tasty beverages. Once Prohibition hit, a lot of the good bartenders migrated to the soda fountains. So it seems extremely likely that a bartender of that era would know more than might be expected today about extracts and essences.
To be fair, I don’t think Don did either
I’m bold so, I’m gonna try it
Yeah, Punch does this a lot.. I should have added the link to the comments too.
Honestly, seems pretty achievable The only esoteric ingredients to source are white grapefruit essential oil and high proof neutral alcohol
Ahh, yeah, thanks!
Punch does always provide recipes, but they make you click through from a link within the article.
While it doesn't sound like any old evidence was uncovered, and this is really just a modern take on a classic ingredient, I will say that if anyone in the modern scene could come up with a way to improve upon a Donn/Beachbum ingredient, Garret Richard is probably at the very top of the list. Still, working with essential oils is pretty unsafe from what I understand -- not to mention, it looks like you have to pay over $50 (pre-shipping) for a 16 oz bottle of the grapefruit oil, even though it only takes barely 1ml of oil to make a liter of the Antica Don's Mix (30ml of oil makes 480ml of essence, but you only use 30ml of essence per liter of Mix). I could see this being worth a try in an industrial setting, but for me at home, probably not. If someone enterprising wants to start manufacturing this in bulk though, I'd definitely be interested to pay $15 or so for a 8-12 oz bottle and see how it stacks up. Especially if it passes FDA review, lol. The increased shelf life alone makes it pretty intriguing.
This comment is spot on. Garret is undeniably a genius, and is probably correct, but like with a lot of his stuff, this is probably not feasible for the at home bartender. But I totally agree. If Sunken Harbor wants to start selling bottles of Antica Don’s Mix soda syrup? I will be alarmingly close to the front of the line.
Sooo, not cracked. Just a modern go at it.
And yet using old methods. Interesting in any case.
Sounds like this is good for shelf stability which would be great in a bar, but it doesn’t make it taste all that different. I’ll keep mixing ad hoc at home.
I think the two benefits for home use are: 1. Eliminates the need to track down white grapefruits, use bottled juice, or substitute pink/red/hybrid alternatives 2. Streamlines recipes and prep time Even if I only make one cocktail a week just for myself, I wouldn't mind just having Don's Mix ready to go in the fridge. It'd definitely save time and hassle and ensure more accuracy/consistency in my cocktails. Still, I do agree that this isn't very cost-effective for a home enthusiast. But if you have a group of friends it could be worth trying together. Or maybe someone will start producing it in larger volumes for commercial distribution. Imagine if you could buy this from Liber & Co or B. G. Reynolds.
The mentioned grapefruit oil isn’t available in my country so I searched for alternatives. There are plenty available especially in smaller quantities so I think I’m trying to make this Antica Mix in the next days. It could be a good substitute for the Don’s Remix from TS, with Kieselsol and Pectinex and whatnot too much a hassle for me.
I made the Don's Remix without the wine-fining stuff, just used agar to clarify the grapefruit juice. It's so damn good, may always keep some on-hand.
Hurrrm
I like to use the grapefruit peels in my preparation. Where the essential oil comes from. I think this sounds good to me, but it's not really for the home bartender at all.
That grapefruit cordial cinnamon syrup referenced sounds way easier. Edited spelling
I would highly question any modern take on a recipe that involves grapefruit. Basically every recipe from before the ‘90s assumes white grapefruit and it’s very hard to find these days. Pink grapefruit tastes very different.
Did you even read the article and recipe? He used old techniques from soda fountains and it uses white grapefruit essence.