Rating
Slightly Overrated, But Totally Drinkable
Sights: Tiki mugs are all the rage these days. And Rickey, being the financial guru he is, will gladly shell out significant funds for new mugs to collect dust in his cabinet. As with many of Trader Sam’s concoctions, the mug is where the aesthetics shine. It’s just a pearlescent, white plastic sphere, but you also get to keep it! (We suppose this justifies the $21 price tag? Maybe….)
Smells: The nose is scrumptious, with toasted cinnamon and a bit of nutmeg from the RumChata
Tastes: This drink tastes strong without having overly boozy ingredients. The RumChata makes it sweet and creamy, with cinnamon and nutmeg notes. But ultimately the drink dries out with a more alcohol forward finish. We can only guess that it’s the Gran Marnier doing the heavy lifting here because it weighs in at 40% ABV (which is similar to many rums). The RumChata is quite low ABV (about 13%), so its function is to smooth out the other elements and add spice. Additionally, we suspect that the “tropical juice” in it is POG juice, which is a mix of passion fruit, orange and guava.
Feels: It’s creamy, but the “tropical juices” brighten it up and give it some acidity.
Rick’s Tricks: This cocktail tends to come in a white pearl, which you get to keep. However, occasionally some lucky folks get a black pearl instead.
Overall: The Polynesian Pearl does not totally wow us but it’s consistently good and accessible to those who like a sweet, creamy drink. And, bonus, you are less likely to walk away with a raging case of heartburn than with most other cocktails on the menu.
More Info:
Location: Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Ingredients: RumChata Cream Liqueur, Grand Marnier, and Cinnamon with Tropical Juices. The Pearl is yours to keep!
Cost: $21
Have you ever gotten the lucky black pearl? Let Team Rickey know in the comments!