Zen Tiki Lounge

Some side effects of this podcast include dry mouth, lazy eye, permanent erection and death. Or maybe those are some of the more common potential issues with most of the medications you see on TV. We suggest mixing our custom coffee cocktail called Flamingo Swamp before you enjoy this episode of ZTL. Sunshine and Starshine LOVE their coffee and LOVE It even more when you add spirits. Listen for the recipe. Also on this show: hmmmmmm, just listen. Feeling lazy.

Opium: As mentioned on this episode. One of the best shows we have seen in Las Vegas.

As mentioned on this episode, we know some of you need help naming your tiki bar. Go on over to Hanttula.com and find the tiki bar name generator. Just one of many fun tools and adventures that await you.

Check out all the great shirts from Tiki Bar T-shirt Club. A new one each month. We recommend subscribing to the club to get them all, or buy just the ones you want. Soft cotton for everyone.

Rather than try and recall what we talked about on this episode of ZTL podcast, you really should listen.  This will be our last episode before attending Tiki Caliente 9, the yearly event in Palm Springs where we happily spend 3.5 days enjoying the company of old and new friends of our tiki community.  We discuss how to plan a room party, how to mix 100 drinks at a time, tips for staying hydrated in the desert and a few other odds and ends.  Mix a drink from our list of easy to build tiki drinks and enjoy the show.  

Starshine and Sunshine enjoy our latest cocktail while showing off their Tiki Bar T-Shirt Club shirts. Don't we look like a fun bunch?

Below are just a few pictures from room parties at Tiki Caliente.  Over the years the hosts have come up with just about every themed room party you can imagine.  But, its really about the cocktails.  If you haven't attended a weekend long tiki event yet, this should wet your appetite.  

If you haven't yet taken a look at our friends from Tiki Bar T Shirt Club its time you do,.  Soft and comfy 100% cotton tees in both mens and womens styles are the perfect for your casual look.  Each month a new shirt with a design from an extinct tiki bar, restaurant or hotel/motel.  Each delivery includes a little history on your new shirt.  Its like tiki bar archeology.  Subscribe to the club for 3, 6, 9 or 12 months or just purchase a single shirt.  This also makes a great gift for your special tiki someone.  

Taking a look two podcasts ahead, we will be chatting about the latest book from James Spencer, Vegandisiac.  You can get a copy now on Amazon!  On episode 382 we will mix a cocktail and an appetizer or two from the book, drinking and snacking right in your ears as we tell you about the book, the recipes and how tasty they are.  Stay tuned for episode 382.  

Buy the book now and start making delicious vegan dishes perfect for your cocktail party.

Please join us on this episode of Zen Tiki Lounge podcast for the usual bar banter, drink recipes and friendly advice. Sunshine, Kalani and Starshine got together relatively last minute for an unplanned recording session. We discuss the out of control flavors of modern beverages, crafting new drinks with ingredients you want to blow through, old workplace shenanigans, are Costco spirits worth it?, sold out Tiki Caliente event, avoiding hangovers and so much more. And, listen to this episode for your chance to get a shirt from tikibartshirtclub.com

Below are some shots from Alcohol Infusions site discussed on this episode. If you need some ideas click on over. This page is dedicated to upping your spirit game and crafting some of the best classic and nouveau cocktails. Not only are the pics outstanding, the recommendations and kits are simple enough for the novice.

This absinthe infusing kit from Bootleg Botanicals is a great starting point if you want to infuse your own absinthe. Just like Gin, Absinthe is a grain neutral spirit that is infused with herbs, spices, roots and seeds. There are many variations however buying a kit helps get your started. Sunshine liked this final product and has enjoyed drinking it in the classic style as well as in Sazerac cocktails.

Kalani, Starshine and the kids were able to visit the new Bamboo Club in Long Beach, CA just a week after it opened. This new tiki establishment in the Southern California region was decked out by Bamboo Ben and offers a drink menu with the usual tiki drink suspects plus some of their own concoctions. Listen to the show for more detail on the hits and misses from the ladies of the lounge.

All of at ZTL podcast love wearing tiki bar t-shirt club shirts. Every month brings you a new shirt to collect or buy just the one you want. Soft cotton and comes in mens and women’s sizing. Support this podcast by supporting our friends. Cheers!

There is plenty going on in our dimly lit tiki bar this episode of ZTL podcast. Sunshine and Pumpkin start with a fabulous vintage tiki drink from the 1940’s. Next we dive into the mail sack to catch up on a few items sent in from listeners. When it came time for a second drink Pumpkin brought a quick dice game that proved perfect for choosing our next spirit and all the mixers needed for something quite tasty. We also discuss a recent visit to Zombie Village in SF, Aero Club bar in San Diego, the woes of essential oils, Mocktails in London and much more.

On the Right is a look at the new book by Andrea Waters and Catherine Salway. We were lucky enough to get an advance look at the book and found both the illustrations and alcohol free drinks look amazing. We all have non drinking friends and if you have ever felt challenged to concoct something that is so tasty you don’t miss the booze, this book may be for you. Listen to hear Sunshine share some initial thoughts and pre order on Amazon to get your copy soon. On our next episode we will mix a few alcohol-free drinks and do a tasting just for our dedicated listeners.

Below Left: Pumpkin and Sunshine enjoy the Cocoanut Grove cocktail from the Beachbum Berry app Total Tiki. When we don’t have time to whip up one of our own drink recipes we generally us Total Tiki as our go to tiki drink resource. Beachbum Berry has released many cocktail books over the last decade plus that diligently study the tiki drinks of the past. The Bum makes sure that every recipe is as close to the original as possible and even gives substitution ideas for ingredients that have gone extinct. This time we chose the Cocoanut Grove from the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, a hangout for Hollywoods rich and famous from the 1920’s through 1960’s. Below Right: a shot from the Total Tiki app which allows you to search by ingredient, style of drink and much more.

In the third segment of the show Pumpkin gets out this dice game she was given at a white elephant party. We have tried many a cocktail game here in the lounge and its fair to say this one worked out better than most. In fact the cocktail created as indicated by a roll of the dice was quite good. It would appear that this particularly set of dice from Refinery and Co. is no longer available but we have linked to another drinking game that is still available. You may want to give them a try. These games are from a company right here in Californian, just a hop skip and jump from our very own dimly lit tiki bar. The drink to the right was actually made with the ingredients suggested by a roll of the dice picture. Not bad at all.

On a recent California coastal Cruise, Sunshine visited Zombie Village in San Francisco. This is the newest immersive themed bar to hit the Bay Area. The below pic don’t really do justice to this beautiful new space with a fairly expansive cocktail menu that has many of its own specialties and a few familiar favorites. Listen to this episode of the podcast to hear what Sunshine had to say about his visit and some of his favorite drinks.

We LOVE Tiki Bar T-Shirt Club! All of us here at ZTL proudly wear these soft cotton T’s, each one showing off a different tiki bar of the past. Buy just the one you want or have them delivered right to your door each and every month.

Having good friends stop by the lounge is always a treat. On this episode Kalani and Sunshine are joined by Susan Nelson. Susan isn’t a podcast virgin. Sunshine challenged both Susan and Kalani to give gin another try. Pictured above is our version of a sling but with a bit of a tropical twist. Both ladies enjoyed the combination of fresh juices, gin and cachaça. The key to this cocktail is choosing a gin that is small batch and high on floral notes while allowing juniper and some of the usual bitterness to take a back seat. Follow the link to mix your own Rain Forest Sling. After a nice drink the three hosts went down the rabbit hole of semi appropriate conversation including subjects such as: Tiki Caliente is sold out, bathroom habits no one should share, how to get the most out of your designated driver, new cakes from @BrianBakesCakes on IG, pairing cocktails with amazing cakes such as the on pictured above which is infused with all the goodness of a Manhattan. And more. Lots more that we can’t remember so long after recording the episode.

Be fancy! While listening to the ZTL podcast you really should enjoy your drink from one of our double size rocks glasses and while wearing one of our soft cotton t-shirts. For a limited time get 20% off your order over $50. Listen to this episode for the code.

All of at ZTL podcast love wearing tiki bar t-shirt club shirts. Every month brings you a new shirt to collect or buy just the one you want. Soft cotton and comes in mens and women’s sizing. Support this podcast by supporting our friends. Cheers!

This episode is all Sunshine and music. Every now and then the Ladies of the lounge are busy but Sunshine wants to get behind the mic anyway. This is when you get a lot of exotica thrown at you for setting the mood in your dimly lit corner with cocktail in hand. No other notes needed. Just listen and enjoy the short conversation and songs from Tikiyaki Orchestra, Les Baxter, The Out-Islanders, Esquivel and The Crazed Mugs.

For two years we have been telling you to try Tiki Bar T-Shirt Club. Every month a new soft cotton T with a different tiki bar, hotel or restaurant featured. Each shirt tells the story of a tiki establishment that is no longer in business. Its tiki bar archeology right on your chest. Buy one or subscribe and get them all.

On an upcoming episode we will have host Rory Snyder tell us all about the event and the fun times ahead of us. But for those who didn’t already purchase a wristband, you’ll have to wait till next year. Just 600 lucky attendees will be there this May along with the Zen Tiki Lounge.

In the history of ZTL podcast the ladies have never enjoyed an all spirit cocktail. Things change! Finally. Sunshine was inspired by a recent trip to the local booze barn and played with some new ingredients. The Smudge Pot is a sipping cocktail for those who really enjoy old fashioneds and Negronis. We started in on these before getting to the tiki mail and a rousing romp through subject matter that is more interesting while inebriated.

Over the years we have talked about the Wreck Bar in Ft. Lauderdale a few times. Sunshine and husband have had the pleasure of visiting a few times while spending a little time in town before and after hopping on cruise ships. The bar itself tends to be very low key earlier I the day and livens up in the evening with or without a mermaid show. Live bands are also frequent entertainment. But MeduSirena (Marina) and her troop of aquatic creatures of the not so deep are the real draw. Oh, and have a tropical cocktail while you are there. We recommend the Zombie and the Havana Club Hemingway.

Sunshine has had the pleasure of swimming with Marina and the mermaids on one lucky occasion. A once in a lifetime experience for any tikiphile. But we always asked when the men were going to start swashing around to entertain the drinking patrons. It’s happened. Starting in February the Aquamen will begin to swim for your enjoyment in the evenings. Now we have to visit the Wreck Bar again as soon as possible. And so do you.

After our second round of Smudge Pots we moved on to trying some recent purchases from a local LA distillery. Vapid Vodka and Astral Pacific Gin are made by The Spirit Guild and now more widely available in Southern California. The vodka is distilled from clementine oranges and actually does have a honey sweet aroma and light fruit flavor. Astral Pacific Gin is astringent first and then a complex herbal aroma with an almost buttery character. Yeah, all those things. Each bottle will run you about $35.00 and we think the gin is worth a try at that price.

For two years we have been telling you to try Tiki Bar T-Shirt Club. Every month a new soft cotton T with a different tiki bar, hotel or restaurant featured. Each shirt tells the story of a tiki establishment that is no longer in business. Its tiki bar archeology right on your chest. Buy one or subscribe and get them all.

Join the crew of the Zen Tiki Lounge podcast at the hottest event this may in Palm Springs. Rory Snyder brings us Tiki Caliente 11! Listen to this episode to hear why we recommend the event and why you should buy your wristband starting February 2 when they go on sale and quickly sell out.

On this episode of ZTL podcast Sunshine, Starshine and Kalani try our latest cocktail creation, Mrs. Kravitz’ Daydream. Sunshine was inspired by the Bewitched character who was the frequent victim of witchcraft and a medaling mother in law. If Gladys was sipping this drink before peeping through her window it may explain a few things. Also on this show: Ice Made Clear is the latest ice making device that actually seems to make clear ice. A quick update on Tiki Caliente 11. Some anecdotal conversation about how difficult it is to be a cocktail server in a casino. Fun new bottle LED lights to brighten your bar. Nude zamboni operators and more.

If you would like to make the cocktail featured in this episode we do recommend you try to find ingredients as similar as possible but with the understanding that the plum and vanilla liquor from Edinburgh Gin isn’t easy to find stateside. We did find that you can approximate this liquor by using equal parts plum wine and a vanilla spirit that is approximately 25% alcohol by volume.

Below left is a shot of the battery operated fairy lights that fit inside an empty bottle. The batter compartment looks like a cork and we found that the batteries last for about 8 hours and can be replaced. Many of these are available online, just search for “bottle LED lights” and you will get several options. Below right is the Ice Made Clear ice maker. This was a kickstarter that Sunshine signed up fort a year ago and now we finally have our kit. Of all the clear ice makers we have tried this one is the best. One key is starting with warm/hot tap water to ensure the clearest ice. The kit comes with two molds and you can order other shapes later.

THE January shirt from tiki bar t shirt club is a beauty. We love all our shirts, each one shows off an extinct tiki bar of the past. you may not be able to visit these locations anymore but you can remember them with these cool t’s. Get just the shirt you want or get a new one delivered each month. Each shirt comes with a story of the establishment.

On February 2nd 2019 wristbands will go on sale for Tiki Caliente 11. The main hotel is sold out but you can still join the fun with a wristband and booking in a neighboring hotel. The crew of ZTL will be there helping organize the room crawl and hosting our own party on Friday night. The event is limited to just 600 people so that everyone has plenty of space and we keep a semi cozy feel. Pool, cocktails, music, art, symposiums, food and shenanigans for four days! Join us in May.

What a year, what a year. Sunshine, Kalani and Pumpkin (though she arrived late) are in the lounge sipping no less than two cocktails and some other odds and ends. Just listen and enjoy the show. No blog post. No new cocktail. Its all for your years and we love you!

Ring in the new year with a shirt or an entire year of shirts from our friends at Tiki Bar T-Shirt Club. Click the pic and get yours today. Soft cotton feels good on your body.

You likely noticed the tikiesque holiday music at the beginning and end of this episode. Our good friends at Tiki Joe’s Ocean have two Christmas albums that are perfect for adding some island flair to your tiki shindigs this winter season. Just click the album cover above to get your copy.

Sipped liberally during this episode of the podcast is our new Hot Buttered Rum recipe. If you have a vegan around you can leave out the butter batter and substitute with a teaspoon of sugar.

Some of the best cocktails have been around for a very long time. A good Hot Buttered Rum is a classic cold weather libation that is especially popular during the winter holidays. We see this one popping back up on many bar menus with the awesome resurgence of vintage drinks and spirits. Sunshine finally crafted his own recipe for the rum batter that you can now make by following this recipe.

What makes this version of an old time drink more special? Two things. Sunshine uses salted butter to add just a touch of savory to an otherwise sweet drink. And, by listener suggestion the recipe now includes a lightly brewed Earl Grey tea as the base vs. using plain hot water. Mahalo to our long time listener Mr. McKinley for the suggestion.

This happens to be our 13th Holiday Spectacular. Sunshine, Pumpkin, Starshine and Kalani are in the lounge drinking, gift giving and shooting the inebriated breeze. After round three Pumpkin educates the entire crew on the real meaning of the old Yankee Doodle Dandy song. Sunshine had no idea the fun tune from elementary school was a dig on gays in the late 1700’s….learning is fun. We share some unconventional ways to theme a party including using Hickory Farms sausages for picture taking. Our gift exchange is the usual challenge of describing what we are doing for an audio only audience. Pumpkin has a 7 minute sex timer and Kalani is fascinated with the cats of instagram. It truly is a special holiday season in the Zen Tiki Lounge.

If you want the pictures below to make any sense we suggest clicking the play button above.

For well over a year we have been recommending Tiki Bar T-Shirt Club to our listeners. These soft cotton t’s are delivered right to your mail box and come in mens and women fits. Each month is a new design showing off an extinct tiki location. Buy one or get a subscription and get them all. Give someone a gift subscription so they never miss this tiki bar archeology.