Beer, wine, G&T, even rum and coke are all quite respectable drinks. I'm actually not too surprised that the bartender couldn't make a simple daiquiri. The old classics are harder and harder to find in their original forms. As a martini drinker, I have been plagued by the odd variations that have arisen as the idea of martinis has become so popular lately, so I can imagine the difficulties with a drink whose essential nature has been so compromised over the years.

It sounds like we'll just have to get together and do some more serious research.