NO JURY IN THE WORLD WOULD CONVICT HIM
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– at least, not for his taste in tropical drinks. Last month the Phil Spector murder trial took an interesting turn when Ming Fong Chu, a bartender at the Beverly Hills Trader Vic’s, took the stand as a witness for the prosecution. He testified that the Navy Grog, two of which Spector (above) drank at Vic’s the night he allegedly shot Lana Clarkson, is one of the strongest drinks on the menu. What Mr. Chu neglected to mention that it’s also one of the best, a brawny blend of rum, lime, grapefruit and what he referred to as “grog mix.”
And what, enquiring minds want to know, is “grog mix”? Essentially, it’s an allspice syrup. The Bum renders his thusly: Grind enough whole dried allspice berries to make 6 level tablespoons. Place the ground allspice in a saucepan with 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water. Bring it all to a boil, then cover and simmer for two minutes. Remove the saucepan from heat and — keeping it covered — let steep for two to three hours, then strain into a bottle and refrigerate.
Now that you’ve got your mix, here’s how to approximate a Trader Vic’s Navy Grog (ours calls for slightly less rum, just in case your liquor cabinet is near your gun cabinet): Into a cocktail shaker pour 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice, 1/2 ounce grapefruit juice, 3/4 ounce allspice syrup, and 1 ounce each dark Jamaican rum and Demerara rum. Shake well with lots of crushed ice and pour into a double old-fashioned glass.