Celebrate the Mai Tai’s 80th Anniversary at Kimoto Sake and Sushi
By Brandilyn and Chris Mitchell
Here at the View, we love a good Mai Tai. Not just any Mai Tai, a GOOD Mai Tai. Go to a bar and order a Mai Tai, and 9 times out of 10, you will get a blend of juices shaken with some rum and served in a glass with an umbrella. It will be nothing that resembles the actual Mai Tai that was created in 1944 by Victor Jules Bergeron aka “Trader Vic” at his restaurant in Oakland, CA. Alongside ‘Don the Beachcomber’, these two dudes are responsible for the entire Tiki culture we know today. Due to the initial popularity of the Mai Tai the 17-year-old rum Vic used, J. Wray Nephew, became so scarce Vic decided to trade it for a 15-year-old rum. Eventually, the 15-year-old rum also became scarce which made Vic have to adjust his recipe yet again. He started making the Mai Tai with his own rum, a Jamaica rum, and now as long as the drink is made with Jamaican rum (Appleton is the preferred brand), it’s a Mai Tai. Smith and Cross is another great rum brand.
Brandon Dodge and Danny Zeng opened Kimoto in October 2015. Dodge isn’t just an owner, he is also the head bartender and creates delicious libations to go with his plates. Dodge fell in love with Tiki culture in 2004 during a resurgence. He went to LA to visit several well-known Tiki bars and find ingredients to recreate the drink at home. “The Pineapple version ‘Hawaiian’- was invented in 1953-54, and is often the one people think of when you say ‘Mai Tai,” says Dodge. His favorite rum to sip happens to be the Appleton 12, but for cocktails, he likes Plantation or Hamilton Ministry of Rum. If you’re looking for something easy to find, though, you can’t go wrong with Sailor Jerry to sip.(It’s not Jamaican, so for Mai Tai, it’s not the best option.) “If you mix Sailor Jerry with diet, it’s perfect. Not too sweet, just right. If you drink it with regular soda, it’s way too sweet.”
This month’s focus will be various Mai Tai’s to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Mai Tai on August 30th. If you can’t celebrate exactly on the 30th, feel free to get one on National Rum Day which falls on Friday, August 16th. The ViewCrew tried their “Hawaiian Mai Tai” which is a dreamy tropical treat as well as the “The 44”, which was a refreshing and complicated masterpiece made as close to the original recipe as you can with modern ingredients. You can’t make a bad choice between the two, both are truly delightful. Kyle Owens, another bartender on staff said, “You can get a Mai tai at Chilli’s or Applebee’s, but it is not the same as our ‘44’. You’re going to be disappointed.”
But if you want something different, that’s ok! Kimoto has the biggest selection of Japanese Whiskey in the valley. As of this writing they have 57 bottles for your drinking pleasure. Or try the Manhattan East- a refreshing beverage made with whiskey, sake, and ginger. It is the perfect way to follow up a wonderful dinner of sushi and rolls. If you prefer to eat your calories rather than drink them, you can’t go wrong with an order of fried Oreos for dessert.
Why a Japanese pub in Modesto? Because it’s different! Who doesn’t love drinks, sushi, and hanging out with people you enjoy? With elements of Japanese culture, large TVs for watching sports, a relaxing atmosphere, and mouth-watering food, you are sure to have a great izakaya experience right here in your own city. Some come in to eat creative and delicious plates of food, ranging from small bites like pineapple salmon to the large plates like the Fuji Mountain, while some of us come for the Mai Tais. You can also find them on the Doordash app to have food delivered right to your door! Sip on, friends!
Kimoto Sake & Sushi
1809 McHenry Ave B
Modesto, CA 95350
Follow them on Facebook for info related to their Sake Events and Tap Takeovers!
