A hundred years or so ago, I lived in Denver where there was a Trader Vic's Restaurant. They served a decadent tropical drink called a scorpion, in a big dish for two with gardenias and a straw. I can't believe I live in the beautiful south now, where I can grow my own gardenias and about once a year enjoy a trip down memory lane. (Photo is better full size)
Entlie
This message was edited Jun 1, 2011 6:50 AM
The last of the three gardenia shrubs to bloom. I love this one with the star petals, but don't know the name.
The scent of confederate jasmine will make me gag but I can just slurp in the scent of gardenias, love' em. In Hawaii we had fresh papayas which are very different from what we get here. Over there the fruit tasted like gardenias smell.
I used to have a Trader Vic's cookbook, long gone now, but I remember his fabulous drinks.
Edited to add - found this on Trader Vic's website. Ya'll be careful now, LOL
-- Scorpion
1 1/2 ozs. Trader Vic's Orgeat Syrup
6 oz. orange juice
4 oz. lemon juice
6 oz. Trader Vic's Private Selection Silver Rum
1 oz. brandy
Blend in electric drink mixer with 2 scoops shaved ice. Pour into large scorpion bowl. Fill with ice cubes. Decorate with a gardenia. Serves 3 to 4.
This message was edited Jun 1, 2011 9:20 AM
[quote]The scent of confederate jasmine will make me gag [quote] Really?? I love the smell.
You're right about fruit tasting different if you are where they grow it, I think they just simply pick it to early so it doesn't go bad during travel to far away places. One fruit that stood out in my mind was pineapples in Puerto Rico, really sweet and they didn't taste like the state side ones. They do grow pineapples commercially in PR BTW.
Seem to have forgotten how to quote someone. Missing a / or two??
Ardesia, Your recipe looks just about right except we use plain ordinary cheap rum. It's the oregat syrup that makes the drink - hard to find but a bottle lasts a long time.
As to fruit tasting different in certain locales, I agree. Mangoes in the Phillippines are like no other!
Entlie
Gorgeous AND delicious! How cool!
Entlie, Maybe you can help me? I have a Gardenia bush that I grew from a cutting, so I have no idea the name. It is now quite large 3ft x 4ft. tall. Right now it's blooming profusely and the smell is heavenly. Oh I love that smell. Anyway I have yellowing leaves sporadically through out my plant. Do you know what is going on? Any ideas?
Thanks in advance,
Melanie
Melanie, several weeks ago (before mine bloomed), there were a lot of yellow leaves on the one that gets the most sun. I took them in to the local garden shop and their expert said to add acid (Gary Hollar says acid is for yankees, and just to water it a lot). Anyway, I found some old Miracid in the garage and gave it a dose. I knocked all the yellow leaves off with a strong jet of water from the hose, and I did water it more often. It bloomed profusely - it's right by my front steps and the fragrance is mind boggling. And it looks a somewhat better now. So I guess my answer is I don't have the answer. I did see several other gardenias in the neighborhood with the same look, and I wonder if this one just gets more sun than it should. It does get this way every spring and I have been wondering if I should move it, but I love the location by the porch. If you find out anything different, I'd love to know.
Entlie
Hum, thanks for the input. I guess I'll do some searching and see what I come up with. Mine is in full sun, pretty much all day. I don't recall having these yellow leaves before, so maybe I need to acidify my soil some. I'll let you know what I find out.
Mel
We have 7 gardenias in our yard and oh does it smell wonderful right now.
That drink sounds good.
Lavina
