So, here we are, nearly a century later, seeking out the signature drink of their namesake. Now, there’s no shortage of watering holes on Catalina. The island’s small main town of Avalon is just a bit over two square miles, but has well over fifteen places to order a drink — not just beer or wine, a drink. Most folks walk from joint to joint or drive around on golf carts, the island’s primary mode of transportation.

But we’re actually in one of the few local cars, a courtesy shuttle taking us towards the Buffalo Nickel, a hacienda-style bar and eatery on the outskirts of town, renowned for their rendition of Buffalo Milk. (The drink was supposedly created in the even smaller town of Two Harbors on the far side of the island. But you need a boat or an ATV to get there…)

We take a seat under a red umbrella on their patio, next to a stony water fountain ornamented with old mining tools. After a few minutes of watching the birds and the ocean, some rich L.A. folks land a helicopter strut off towards town. The waiter brings out the frothy beverage and I have my first sip of Buffalo Milk. And I’m happy to report that the stuff is a rich, refreshing treat while sitting in the sun, looking out on the ocean.

Cinnamon hits your nose before your lips even touch the straw, and then cool, creamy chocolate and coffee flavors delight your taste buds. As you gaze up, past the palm trees, into the beautiful blue sky and sigh contentedly, a subtle hint of banana finishes the flavor parade. According to our waiter Buffalo Milk is made from crème de cacao, Kahlua, half and half, vodka, half a banana, blended with ice, served in a hurricane glass and topped with chocolate syrup, nutmeg and cinnamon. It’s more-or-less a White Russian on steroids.

But it’s not the only game in town. On the island’s main drag, Luau Larry’s offers you a chance to “get your wiki whacked.” The Wiki Wacker is the establishment twist on a hurricane, with several types of rum and fruit juices. It also comes with a straw hat and a bumper sticker that will let you declare “I got my Wiki Wacked at Luau Larry’s.”

After you sample the ambrosia from the mythical teat of the Buffalo and get a sufficient wiki wacking, stumble around the corner to the Marlin Club. With a pool table and a boat shaped bar, and a jukebox full of rock, this is as close to a local dive as the island has. Once you arrive you will be asked to remove your straw hat and throw it into the net above the bar with the dozens of other hats.

Then sit down and have a shot and a beer. Listen to some Zepplin and ponder the employee from Larry’s coming around on Monday afternoon to collect a pile of grassy headwear that’s sure to be re-sold to tourists in the coming nights.

Recipes:

Buffalo Milk

1 ½ oz. Smirnoff vodka
¾ oz. light crème de cacao
¾ oz. dark crème de cacao
¾ oz. banana liqueur
1 ½ oz. half and half
½ of a fresh banana

Blend ingredients with ice and pour into a hurricane glass. Dribble chocolate around the inside of the glass and top with grated cinnamon and nutmeg.

Wiki Wacker

1 ½ oz. Rum
1 ½ oz. Brandy
1 oz. pineapple juice
1 oz. orange juice

Dash of grenadine

Pour ingredients over rock in a hurricane glass. Garnish with a cherry and a pineapple wedge.