Missionary's Downfall
Frozen mint and pineapple tiki.
White rum, peach, honey, lime, pineapple and plenty of mint blended with crushed ice. A bright green tiki drink, more refreshing than exotic, that drinks like a boozy sorbet.
- IBA · New Era
- Long drink
- Blended
- Glass
- Coupe
- Method
- Blended
- Strength
- Light
- Time
- 4 min
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Ice
- No ice
Ingredients
Measures for 1 serving
-
White rum
30 ml
-
Peach brandy
15 ml
-
Lime juice
15 ml
-
Honey syrup
30 ml
-
Mint
10 leaves
-
Pineapple
3
Garnish
- Mint sprig
- Pineapple slice
Proportions
How to make
- Pour the white rum into the blender.
- Add the peach brandy.
- Add the lime juice.
- Add the honey syrup.
- Add the mint leaves.
- Add the pineapple chunks.
- Add half a cup of crushed ice.
- Blend until smooth.
- Pour into a large coupe.
- Garnish with mint and a pineapple slice.
The story
Origins
ProbableA plausible account, without definitive proof.
The Missionary's Downfall is credited to Donn Beach, founder of Don the Beachcomber, the Hollywood spot that launched the tiki craze. Donn opened his first bar in 1933 and in 1937 moved it across the street, expanding it into a restaurant. Historian Jeff 'Beachbum' Berry places the drink around 1937, while other sources give 1940, so the date remains uncertain. The recipe was later preserved by bartender Hank Riddle and republished in Berry's books. The origin of the name is also obscure; one story links it to missionaries expelled during the Second World War, but the timeline does not fit.
Sources (4)
- VinePair — The Story Behind the Missionary's Downfall (opens in a new tab) recipe and history
- Kindred Cocktails — Missionary's Downfall (Don the Beachcomber) (opens in a new tab) recipe and history
- IBA — Missionary's Downfall (opens in a new tab) recipe
- Glass of Bubbly — The Life and Cocktails of Donn Beach (opens in a new tab) history
Taste profile
- Fresh
- 5 out of 5
- Fruity
- 4 out of 5
- Sweet
- 3 out of 5
- Herbal
- 3 out of 5
- Sour
- 2 out of 5
