Caldwell O’Keefe was part-owner of and bartender at Nine of Cups, a restaurant and bar on Tulsa’s Boston Avenue. In the 1970s, O’Keefe mixed drinks while the likes of J.J. Cale, Eric Clapton and Bonnie Raitt ate, drank and occasionally climbed the ladder to rock out on the Cups’ tiny, elevated stage.
The restaurant and bar was named after the Nine of Cups tarot card, which signifies frivolity, merriment, feasting and good fortune. “Callie” O’Keefe kept spirits high by serving popular cocktails of the era, including the Tequila Sunrise and the Banana Banshee.
Tequila Sunrise
- Herradura Reposado Tequila
- Simply Orange orange juice
- Grenadine
- Ice
Fill a large glass 1/3 of the way full with ice. Pour in a generous amount of tequila, eyeballing about half-a-glass full. (Callie considers Herradura Reposado Tequila one of the better brands because it’s filtered through charcoal, which takes away some of the bite.) Add Simple Orange orange juice (he calls it “the next best thing to fresh squeezed”). Add a splash of grenadine to get the sunrise. Sip. Smile. Repeat.
Banana Banshee
No, not the feminine spirit of Irish lore. The luscious drink that, if you’re not careful, will have you wailing:
- Banana liqueur
- Vodka
- White creme de cacao
- Cream
- Ice
Fill a mixing glass with ice and pour in 1/2 ounce banana liqueur, 1/2 ounce vodka, 1/2 ounce white creme de cacao and 1 1/2 ounces cream. Shake vigorously and strain into a large glass. Sip. Smile. Repeat. At some point, you’ll probably begin to dance.