Dan Garlick Cocktail

By Sandra Scott

On a recent trip to Apalachicola, Florida, after a day of sightseeing, we headed to historic Gibson Inn, which was all decked out for the holidays. The hotel along with their Cafe Momi came highly recommended. The lobby was beautifully decorated in keeping with the season. Before dining we headed to the bar where we looked over the cocktail menu. We had heard of all the cocktails—all except the last one, the Dan Garlick Cocktail.

I asked Shelly, the bartender, “Who is Dan Garlick?’

She explained that he was a local businessman who had an office nearby and often stopped in after work for a drink. His favorite drink was made with Mount Gay rum, tonic, lime, and Rose’s Lime Juice. “People started asking, ‘What’s Dan drinking?’ Or, ‘I’ll have one of those Dan Garlick cocktails.’ It became so popular we put it on the menu.”

I liked that small town friendly feeling so I ordered a Dan Garlick Cocktail. Dan knew what he was doing. It was very smooth, probably due to the Mount Gay Rum that dubs itself as “oldest rum brand in existence.” It is made in Barbados, “the Birthplace of Rum” and has been in production since 1703. Recalling what we learned earlier on our Wheelhouse Tour of Apalachicola Harbor when Captain Larry explained that at one time Apalachicola was the third largest port on the Gulf of Mexico, we wondered if years ago rum was delivered directly from Barbados in casks.

Today Apalachicola is a step into the Old Florida, a relaxed Florida with no high rises and no traffic jams. Located in Franklin County about an hour south of Florida’s capital, Tallahassee, it is home to beaches, parks, museums, golf, and everything else needed for a perfect vacation. But the past has not been forgotten. Apalachicola has more than 900 historic homes and buildings in the National Historic District.

Before heading to dinner, we told Shelly how much we enjoyed our Dan Garlicks. “Yes, they’re good—sometimes too good so if someone turns into a pirate we have to tell them it’s time to go home.”

“Turns into a pirate? What do you mean?”

She explained, “You know, one eye closes and their words sound like ‘aar’ and ‘yar’ all deep and throaty.”

In good humor but not sounding like pirates and with both eyes wide open we headed to Momi Restaurant. One of Apalachicola’s claims to fame is its oysters. Gourmands generally agree that Apalachicola oysters are the best in the world. They are plump with a mellow taste that should be enjoyed raw untainted by sauces. So it seemed only proper to order raw clams on the half shell. Dinner was excellent and we totally understood Chef Michael Feil when he explained how he came to Apalachicola. He said, “I was taken with the abundance of seafood and wildlife along with the charm and character of this small community.” We were, too!

Visit www.gibsoninn.com and www.anaturalescape.com.

Sandra Scott is a frequent contributor to travel publications and to Creators Syndicate
and has co-authored two books on local history. She lives in Mexico, NY.

Photos by J. J. Scott.

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