It's well-known among the barbecue and classic-cocktail crowds that the bar at Poor Red's Bar-B-Q (since 1948) in the tiny town of El Dorado goes through more Galliano Italian liqueur (since 1896) than anyplace else in the world.
That's because the joint's signature drink since 1952 has been the Golden Cadillac, a frothy blend of Galliano, half-and-half, white cream de cacao and ice.
"I order from three to six 12-bottle cases of Galliano each week, and make about 100 Golden Cadillacs a week ($7 each)," said second-generation bartender Mike Speegle. His dad, also named Mike Speegle, tended bar at Poor Red's for 27 years. "We're kind of the historians of the place," Speegle the younger said on the phone today.
With sales like that, it's no wonder Poor Red's caught the eye of the Lucas Bols company, "the world's oldest distilled spirits brand."
Now, to honor Poor Red's connection with Galliano, comes the Bols-sponsored Golden Cadillac West Coast Tour. On Monday, a gold-colored 1979 Cadillac DeVille will start its engine and cruise from San Diego to San Francisco on a multi-stop promotional tour.
On Oct. 16, the Caddy will pull in to Poor Red's, where festivities will begin around noon, Speegle said. On tap, so to speak, will be the country-western band The Golden Cadillacs, an outdoor barbecue and lots of merrymaking. At 4:30 p.m., Bols representatives will preside over the ceremony honoring Poor Red's thumbprint on cocktail history.
According to Bols, "Fans will be able to follow the tour on the Galliano facebook page facebook.com/gallianoliqueur and on Twitter @GallianoLiqueur."
Poor Red's is at 6221 Pleasant Valley Road; (530) 622-2901, www.poorredsbbq.com.
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