Rediscovering Mixology Mastery: shannon Mustipher’s Tour Le Carbet

Shannon Mustipher, a renowned mixologist, first tackled the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club cocktail in 2015 while opening Gladys caribbean in Brooklyn. The challenge, as she recalls, was finding the right rum to be able to pull this cocktail off?

The original Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, a Daiquiri variation, typically features Barbados rum, lime, falernum, and orange liqueur. While frequently attributed to Trader Vic, its recipe appeared in Crosby Gaige’s 1941 Cocktail Guide and Ladies’ Companion, six years before Trader Vic’s publication. Mary Mabon, a Harper’s Bazaar food and drink editor, contributed the recipe, noting she discovered it in Hamilton, Bermuda.

Mustipher’s initial Gladys version cleverly blended Mount Gay (Barbados) and El Dorado (Guyana) rums, complemented by John D. Taylor’s falernum (Barbados) and Brizard or Ferrand dry Curaçao. She noted the Curaçao’s Cognac notes married perfectly with the rums.

Mustipher’s exploration extended beyond classic rum cocktails.She experimented with amari and aperitifs, enhancing Planter’s Punch with Becherovka and adding Cynar to rum Manhattans.This experimentation led to the creation of the Kingston Soundsystem,a Jungle Bird variation. This success inspired her to reimagine the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, resulting in the Tour Le Carbet.

For her 2019 book, Tiki: Modern Tropical Cocktails, Mustipher created the Tour Le Carbet. This innovative riff replaces aged rum with unaged rhum agricole and substitutes Suze for Curaçao.It gives the drink a drier, herbaceous element, Mustipher explains, which balances out what you’ll see is a little bit of a salinity in the rhum agricole. The gentian liqueur and rhum agricole share a grassiness reminiscent of sawgrass, evoking her Southern roots.The result is a verdant, fresh, slightly bitter drink with almond and spice notes.

Mustipher prefers high-proof (over 100 proof) rhum agricole for balance. Her book suggests Neisson, from Le Carbet, Martinique, which inspired the drink’s name. Sence then, she’s experimented with Père Labat 59 and Alambique Serrano agricoles, the latter yielding a far out result.

Despite some social media interest, Mustipher believes the Tour Le Carbet remains underappreciated.She compares it to the Jasmine cocktail, a sophisticated Campari-laced gin sour from the late 1990s that she considers ahead of its time. I kind of think Tour Le Carbet is one of those sorts of drinks, she says. Maybe somebody might circle back to it several years from now, and be like, ‘This is the shit.’

Rediscovering the Art of Mixology: The Evolution of Shannon Mustipher’s Tour Le Carbet

Unveiling the Secrets of a Modern Tropical Classic

Editor: “In the world of mixology,Shannon Mustipher is a name revered for transforming classics into modern masterpieces. With her cocktail, the Tour Le Carbet, she’s purportedly ahead of its time. What makes this drink so unique in the landscape of contemporary cocktail creation?”

Expert:

The Tour Le carbet is a revolutionary take on the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club cocktail,a testament to Mustipher’s expertise in the art of mixology. This drink’s uniqueness lies in its bold departure from traditional rum bases and cointreau derivatives. by replacing aged rum with unaged rhum agricole and introducing Suze in lieu of Curaçao, Mustipher has crafted a cocktail that embodies a vibrant fusion of flavors and textures that challenge the palate in exciting ways.

Using rhum agricole,known for its raw,grassy character,Mustipher intertwines it with Suze’s gentle bitterness and herbaceous notes. This choice not only evolves the classic Daiquiri spin but also links it to the earthy and slightly saline qualities reminiscent of the natural environment,specifically the sawgrass fields of Southern landscapes.

Editor: “Shannon’s use of rhum agricole is notably intriguing given its distinct profile. How has this choice transformed the essence of the Tour Le Carbet compared to the original royal Bermuda Yacht Club?”

Expert:

Rhum agricole acts as the cornerstone of the Tour Le Carbet, distinguishing it remarkably from the original formula. Its unaged nature offers a crisp, vegetative quality that juxtaposes the citrusy and sugary notes of traditional Daiquiri variations. Suze introduces a level of dryness and complexity, creating a seasoning of flavors where bitterness and salinity dance seamlessly alongside almond and spice undertones.

This innovative mix redefines the cocktail experience—it’s akin to comparing a fresh Sicilian lemon to a well-traveled French lemon; both citrus but worlds apart in personality. Mustipher’s choice to opt for a high-proof rhum agricole, particularly selections like Neisson or Père labat 59, ensures that the drink is vibrant yet balanced, maintaining the harmonious integrity she envisioned.

Editor: “Let’s delve into the ancient inspiration behind the Tour Le Carbet. Considering its origins in Barbados and Bermuda, how does Shannon’s cocktail pay homage to its roots while pushing boundaries?”

Expert:

Historically, the Royal Bermuda yacht Club cocktail was emblematic of the refinement and exploration of Caribbean flavors during the early 20th century, marked by laws and copyrights debated over small yet notable formulation nuances. With the Tour Le Carbet, Mustipher not only honors this journey but propels it forward. By sourcing ingredients that echo the geographical and cultural tapestry of the Caribbean, particularly through her use of rhum agricole from Martinique, she taps into the essence of heritage while encouraging innovation.

her clever substitution of Suze for traditional bergamot and orange notes from Curaçao represents a nod to the explorative nature perceived in the cocktail’s historical roots—a metaphorical return to origins with a refreshed lens. The choice brings in contemporary palates while remaining deferential to the narrative arc begun by early pattern-setters like Mary Mabon.

Editor: “Discussing social media’s role, the Tour Le carbet hasn’t quite caught fire as expected. Why do you believe it remains underappreciated,and how might it gain the recognition it deserves?”

Expert:

much like the Jasmine cocktail of the late ’90s,Tour Le Carbet has yet to receive its due acknowledgment,largely as it challenges traditional tastes and stands on the brink of innovation. Its sophistication requires a palate attuned to subtleties in balance—dry, herbaceous notes coupled with environmental whispers of salt and bitterness.

To gain the recognition it deserves, enthusiasts and mixologists must embrace not only its bold departure but the conversation it ignites about evolving flavor profiles. Social media can be a powerful ally here. Uplifting stories that share the cocktail’s journey, showcased interactive tasting events, and ingredient hand-ons can engage curious tasters. it may become a trending favorite as consumers reevaluate what complexity and craft mean within a balanced glass, much like how Tiki culture gradually became mainstream.

Key Takeaways:

• Innovation Through Ingredients: The use of rhum agricole and Suze sets the Tour Le Carbet apart, creating a dry, herbaceous, and slightly salty experience.
• Historical Nods with Modern Twists: Mustipher pays homage to cocktail origins while innovating with new ingredient choices and balances.
• Potential for Future Recognition: Like othre refined cocktails, its edge rests in bridging tradition with creativity, awaiting broad acclaim.

Closing Invitation:

We encourage readers to partake in this dynamic cocktail exploration and share their experiences with Shannon Mustipher’s Tour Le Carbet on social media. Engage with fellow mixology enthusiasts and friends, discussing how this drink’s complex profile resonates with your palate and what it inspires for future cocktail crafting. What new classics will soon rise from the ashes of forgotten ingenuity? Share your thoughts below!