The Tiki Trailblazer
Adventurer, World War II Vet, entrepreneur, Don of Tiki Cocktails. Now that’s a LinkedIn profile that’s got some chops. Donn Beach or Don the Beachcomber as he was also known was the OG Dude and founding father of the tikit bar. He helped put rum on the map in the U.S. turning cocktail sipping into an exotic adventure.
Born as Ernest Raymond Beaumont Gantt in Texas in 1907, this guy had wanderlust in his veins. He spent his youth gallivanting around the Caribbean and South Pacific working on yacht, soaking up island vibes and collecting a bevvie of cocktail recipes that would make Martha Stewart swoon. Fast forward to 1933, and our intrepid traveler sets up shop in Hollywood, California – and just in time as Prohibition was coming to a merciful end.
Cue the birth of Don the Beachcomber, a bar that was more tropical paradise than watering hole. Think bamboo, rattan, and enough tiki torches to transport you to give you a tan at night. This wasn’t just a bar—it was an escape from the mundane, and Don was the master of ceremonies.
But let’s talk about the real star of the show: rum. Before Don, rum was barely on America’s radar. But Don saw its potential and ran with it, mixing up cocktails that were as layered and intriguing as a good mystery novel. He didn’t just throw some juice and rum in a glass; he created masterpieces.
Take the aptly named Zombie, for example—Don’s most famous (or infamous) concoction. So strong that he had to impose a two-drink limit, this cocktail was a potent blend of rums, fruit juices, and spices that packed a serious punch. Or the Mai Tai, a classic that’s all about rum, lime, and a hint of almond—pure tropical bliss in a rocks glass.
Don wasn’t just mixing drinks; he was crafting an entire experience. His tiki bar was an instant hit, drawing in Hollywood stars, socialites, and anyone else looking to escape the daily grind.
Don really leaned into the whole tropical oasis vibe and when post-prohibition laws dictated food be served with liquor, he served up a riff on standard Cantonese dishes seasoned with a bit of the ‘Beachcomber’ magic and called them South Seas Island food including the pu pu platter & Rumaki. He was all in to the tiki with bamboo, leis & the sound of fake rain on the roof.
And just like that, tiki culture was born. Soon, tiki bars were all the rage and were popping up all over the country, each trying to capture the magic of Don’s original oasis (think Trader Vics).
Don didn’t just create tiki culture; he made rum the king of cocktails in America. Before Don, rum was a bit player. After Don, it was the star. His intricate recipes showed the world just how versatile rum could be, and we’ve been in love with it ever since.
Don, who eventually changed his name to Donn Beach expanded his tiki empire to places like Las Vegas and Hawaii & even played a role in the preservation of the Lahaina Historic District. Though the original Hollywood bar closed in the 1980s, Don’s legacy lives on in every tiki drink that comes with a paper umbrella and a side of escapism.
So next time you’re sipping on a Zombie or Mai Tai, tip your straw fedora to Don the Beachcomber—the Don of Tiki who turned rum into an art form and transported us to paradise.
The Rumosphere 