Q.B. Cooler

Lore & Background

Donn Beach created the Q.B. Cooler for his Don the Beachcomber restaurants. The drink's aviation theme connects to Beach's own service in the US Army Air Corps during World War II, and its name references the 'Quiet Birdmen,' a fraternity of male aviators that originated during the First World War. The cocktail calls for a complex mixture of several rums, syrups, fruit juices, honey, club soda, and dashes of Pernod, bitters, and grenadine. An alternative version, purported to be from 1937, substitutes ginger syrup for fassionola and Pernod and varies the rum proportions.

Reader's Guide

The Q.B. Cooler holds a notable place in cocktail history as a creation of Donn Beach, widely acknowledged as the father of the 'Tiki bar.' Its significance extends beyond its recipe, as it is linked to the origin debate of the famous Mai Tai cocktail. According to Mick Brownlee, who worked with Beach for over ten years, the Mai Tai—claimed by both Beach and Victor Bergeron (Trader Vic)—was created by Bergeron in an effort to emulate the flavor of the Q.B. Cooler. While Trader Vic's won an out-of-court settlement over naming rights, the true origin of the Mai Tai remains disputed. The Q.B. Cooler thus represents a key piece in the puzzle of tiki cocktail lineage, illustrating how one drink can influence another and spark lasting controversy. Its limited availability and aviation-themed name also reflect the cultural milieu of mid-20th-century tiki culture and the fraternal organizations of aviators.

Did You Know?

• The 'Q.B.' stands for 'ye Anciente and Secret Order of Quiet Birdmen,' a fraternity of male aviators dating back to the First World War.
• An alternate version of the Q.B. Cooler, purported to be from 1937, uses ginger syrup instead of fassionola and Pernod.