–Molly Engquist, WDW Radio Team
“We climb the highest mountains, just to get a better view. We plumb the deepest oceans ‘cuz we’re daring, through and through. We cross the scorching desert, martinis in our hand. We ski the polar ice cap in tuxedo, looking grand. We’re reckless, brave and loyal and valiant to the end. If you come in here a stranger, you’ll exit as a friend.” — sign in the Mezzanine level of the Adventurers Club
It’s that time of year when it’s so hot outside all you want to do is sit around… with a cocktail in hand of course! Last year I did the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Rum from Trader Sam’s so let’s make a drink from the famous, infamous, not forgotten, you get the idea, Adventurers Club!
Full disclosure, I only went to Pleasure Island once when I was in my 20s, and like any good 20-something, I needed to dance and Mannequins Dance Palace had a spinning dance floor (don’t remind me)! We ended up only having one drink in the Adventurers Club and can you believe it, I have no idea what it was.
If you are like me and listen to all of Lou’s podcasts, he references the Adventurers Club a lot, so when the new cookbook “Delicious Disney” came out with a recipe for a drink from there, I had to try it. You know, for research purposes only! And the drink is, yes, it’s the Kungaloosh!!!
The Adventures Club was open from 1989 to 2008 and if you search the internet, there is a lot of information about it. Here are a few links if you want to deep dive into Lou’s past show episodes.
So let’s listen to one of these podcasts and make the cocktail!
First we need to gather the ingredients.
¾ ounce spiced rum
¾ ounce white rum
½ ounce blackberry brandy
2 ounces orange juice
2 ounces strawberry puree
1 cup ice
Pineapple wedge, for garnish
I doubled up the recipe so I wouldn’t have to drink alone. Add these all to the blender and make the magic happen!
I have the Margaritaville blender which makes it easier to add the right level of shaved ice before blending. I like it just below slushy with some liquid. Pour into your favorite hurricane glass, garnish with pineapple, and add tropical stir sticks for more fun. Then take your insta-worthy photos. #hiddenmickey
And of course find your friend and “KUNGALOOSH!
So now that we have our drink let’s dive into the history of rum.
It’s only fitting that the Adventures Club would serve rum drinks because it was those types of explorers that opened up the world to the lively spirit that is rum. The explorers that sailed the open seas quickly found out that beer and wine would spoil fast on those long trips. Strong spirits like brandy lasted longer, but rum was cheaper and stronger!
The trade routes in the Caribbeans grew because of sugar production and sad to say, slaves. Rum was distilled from the molasses produced after refining sugar. That molasses was brought to distillers in the New England colony, and they would pay for it with rum. And the cycle continued. New England’s production of rum was one of its biggest industries which resulted in 80% of their export. Once New England’s primary source for molasses came from the French colonized islands, England imposed taxes for this in the Molasses Act which eventually led to the Sugar Act of 1764. It was this that started the grumblings of “no taxation without representation.”
So maybe it was the Boston Tea Party that started the revolution, but it could have easily been a rum party. But who wants to throw good rum overboard? As Captain Jack would say, “but why is the rum gone?” Ok, my drink is empty and I’ve rambled too long. I think it’s a good night to watch Pirates of the Caribbean.
Let me know if you ever had a Kungaloosh at the Adventures Club, and if you do make this, does it bring back memories?
