Zen Tiki Lounge

Full podcast recap coming soon, for now listen to the show.  Just hit play above or subscribe via iTunes,  Overcast FM or the RSS feed of your choice. 

WE LOVE TIKI BAR T SHIRT CLUB.  COMFY COTTON T'S FOR MEN AND WOMEN THAT ALWAYS FIT RIGHT.  A NEW TIKI BAR DESIGN EACH AND EVERY MONTH.  SUBSCRIBE AND GET THEM ALL DELIVERED RIGHT TO YOUR MAILBOX OR BUY JUST THE ONE YOU WANT.  WE WOULDN'T WEAR THEM IF WE DIDN'T LOVE THEM.  

At the top of this episode Sunshine Tiki begins sipping one of his favorite cocktails, the Tahitian Exotique (Below) and listening great exotica from Arthur Lyman.  The drink and music are a quick way to set the mood and imagine you are in your very own dimly lit tiki bar.  On this episode is an interview Rory Snyder from the Reef Palm Springs during the 1 year anniversary, listener mail, the spinning vinyl of Arthur Lyman: Aloha Amigo and select other exotica.  

From Left: Andy Tolley, Kalani Tiki, Starshine Tiki, Sunshine Tiki, Rory Snyder, Marty Lush, Nicholas Correia

Within the historic Caliente Tropics resort is the Reef lounge and bar.  Many decades ago this property was home to crooners such as Sinatra, Dean and Sammy.  Although the faces have changed the atmosphere of sun and fun remains.  While at the Reef we not only had terrific cocktails and conversation but there were plenty of tiki friends to talk to.  The Reef has become one of those go to spots in Palm Springs for imbibing with locals and visitors and avoiding some of the overhyped resorts in town.  Many nights include live music.  The recently expanded food and cocktail menus offer more of what you want in a well done watering hole.  Sunshine is particular to the fish and chips and many swear by the loco moco.  Rory gives us some of the history of the Reef from the quick impromptu opening to the continuing transformation.  Each time you visit the Reef you will likely notice more decor created by artists that Rory has been working with.  Listen to the podcast for lots more from Rory Snyder, Marty Lush and more.  Plus, find out what Yacht Rock really is!

WE LOVE TIKI BAR T SHIRT CLUB.  COMFY COTTON T'S FOR MEN AND WOMEN THAT ALWAYS FIT RIGHT.  A NEW TIKI BAR DESIGN EACH AND EVERY MONTH.  SUBSCRIBE AND GET THEM ALL DELIVERED RIGHT TO YOUR MAILBOX OR BUY JUST THE ONE YOU WANT.  WE WOULDN'T WEAR THEM IF WE DIDN'T LOVE THEM.  

Below left, Sunshine Tiki and Kalani enjoy Bitter Harbor in the Zen Tiki Lounge. Our newest tropical cocktail with fresh grapefruit and lemon juices along with several rums and bitters. We sported our green for St. Pattys day and sipped more than a few drinks.  On the right we cooked up a pulled pork style slider made with jackfruit in a tangy BBQ sauce.  This meat like alternative does have a slightly different texture than pulled pork, it is a little softer but not slimy or chewy.  Cooked up and on a Kings Hawaiian role this stuff from The Jackfruit Company is a great bar snack that your vegan and meat eating friends will like.  

We have tried the BBQ, Tex Mex and Teriyaki versions of this tropical meat substitute.  BBQ and Tex Mex seem to be the best flavor and texture combinations.  Vegan deliciousness.  

Join the entire crew from ZTL podcast at Tiki Caliente 10 this May.  Hard to believe this event has now been going for a decade.  The fun times and room parties may start to blend together in your inebriated mind.  So lets do it again.  Sunny and warm Palm Springs is begging you to visit and attend the hottest event this May.  

Also, join our Tiki Caliente Room Crawl page on facebook so you get all the info about the 14 plus rooms and parties on the crawl.  And, there are still slots open (as of March 23) if you want to host.  to host you do need a room at the Caliente Tropics and a desire to make a cocktail for up to 100 people.  Amateurs and pros are welcome.  

We LOVE Tiki Bar T Shirt Club.  Comfy cotton t's for men and women that always fit right.  A new tiki bar design each and every month.  Subscribe and get them all delivered right to your mailbox or buy just the one you want.  We wouldn't wear them if we didn't LOVE them.  

Join the entire crew from ZTL podcast at Tiki Caliente 10 this May.  Hard to believe this event has now been going for a decade.  The fun times and room parties may start to blend together in your inebriated mind.  So lets do it again.  Sunny and warm Palm Springs is begging you to visit and attend the hottest event this May.  

We LOVE Tiki Bar T Shirt Club.  Comfy cotton t's for men and women that always fit right.  A new tiki bar design each and every month.  Subscribe and get them all delivered right to your mailbox or buy just the one you want.  We wouldn't wear them if we didn't LOVE them.  

If you were on a deserted island with nothing but rum and Crystal Light, what would you do?  You will have to listen to this episode to find out.  But seriously, its a few days to Valentines as of recording this podcast.  Our cocktail is reminiscent of a sweet tart candy with dark rum and the smoothness of honey cream mix.  Pair this drink with a romantic dinner of chicken, fish or stir fry. We call it Mother of Pearl.  Continue listening to the show and join Sunshine, Starshine and Kalani on a trip down Valentines memory lane.  Or just keep in mind that your hosts enjoy a good drink and the inappropriate conversation that often comes afterwards.  Enjoy!

As mentioned on this episode, get great greeting cards designed by Jason Bitner on Zazzle.  Jason has designed a snazzy greeting card for any of your cocktail lover friends and family.  Buy several now and always be ready to with someone a warm cocktail greeting.  

We love Tiki Bar T-Shirt Club.  Soft cotton t's with a new tiki bar design each and every month.  Delivered right to your door.  Get a single shirt or subscribe and get them all each month delivered right to your door.  

Three hosts in the lounge for this episode of ZTL.  Our drink is not one of our originals but comes from the Total Tiki app by Beachbum Berry.  If you had only one app filled with tiki drinks, details instructions, history and an ingredient database...this is the one you want. Best Year was chosen as our drink because Sunshine vowed to try new things.  So, mixing up a cocktail with blue curaçao (yuck) and Rose's lime juice (not fresh and so many preservatives) isn't usually on our list.  But the recipe looked solid so we tried and.  And, all three of us liked it.  Listen to the show for much more detail including our t-shirt giveaway, upcoming events and more.  

Vegan Seafood Rangoon!

1 package vegan shrimp or crab (VegeUSA is available in many specialty markets)

1 can water chestnuts drained and chopped fine

4 oz. vegan cream cheese or other soft cheese substitute 

2 chopped scallions (just the greens)

1/4 tsp. black pepper

Salt to taste

18-24 wonton wrappers

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir well.  Spoon 1 heaping teaspoon into each wonton wrapper.  Seal wontons with water along the edges, folding over into triangles.  Press edges of wontons very firmly to prevent leakage while frying.  Heat vegetable oil to 350 degrees F and fry several pieces at a time until golden brown on each side.  Remove from oil and lay to rest on paper lined plate.  Serve with hot Chinese mustard, cocktail sauce or other dipping sauces.  

Below are just some of the super fun greeting cards designed by Jason Bitner of bitnerdesign.com. Before Valentines Day is already here, order a few cards now and surprise your favorite cocktail snob with these cards that are blank on the inside.  Make Valentines Day or any day more special.  We really do love these! 

Tiki Bar T-Shirt Club brings you a new shirt EVERY month delivered right to your door.  Subscribe and get one every month or order just the one you want.  We love Tiki Bar T-Shirt Club.  

Join the crew of the Zen Tiki Lounge podcast at Tiki Caliente!  The hottest tiki event now in its 10th year.  ZTL is hosting multiple parties and we want to see you there.  Buy your wristbands now, the event will sell out.  

Sunshine has just returned from a Caribbean cruise and with him is a bit of cocktail inspiration direct from Grand Cayman.  While cruising there is ample opportunity to try spirits from the regions you visit and bring some of what you like most back home with you.  Below left is Swanky, the somewhat official drink of Grand Cayman.  It's a simple lemon/limeade style drink with rum that is made many different ways across the islands.  Our version Extra Swanky builds on the classic and adds a small amount of complimentary flavors. Below right is a recommendation for wake up each day while onboard a ship with a balcony room.  Likely you have chosen the all you can drink package while sailing.  Each night before bed, bring glasses of champagne back to your room and leave in your refrigerator.  In the morning, mix your champagne with the complimentary breakfast room service which often includes your choice of juices and fresh fruit.  Wake up to fresh fruit mimosas with a new view every day.  

Our friend Jimmy Gunn (aka Psycho) has just released a new lounge album.  Mosh Pits & Mai This, The Ultimate Punk Rock Lounge Party continues the Jimmy Psycho Experiment.  Favorites like Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Ruby Soho and I Wanna Be Sedated are some of our favorite tracks from the album. If you enjoy contemporary classic punk like we do, you will enjoy lounge versions of these tunes you will be singing along to.  Listen to this episode to hear these plus a few more.  Jimmy has been playing lounges and tiki bars in the LA area since 2012, those of us at ZTL podcast have seen the live act several times and can't recommend enough the experience.  Although Jimmy has recently moved eastward across the country it wouldn't hurt to keep track of him via social media just in case a show is nearby your locale.  Buy this album and others here!

Holy mermaids batman!  While in Fort Lauderdale Sunshine and the husband bounced into MeduSirena our favorite fire eating mermaid.  Marina was nice enough to spend a little time in the water showing Sunshine how to stay down below and get a peak inside the Wreck Bar where she performs along with her well trained pod of sirens.  The Wreck Bar is a vintage watering hole located within the B Ocean Resort on Fort Lauderdales famous beach.  If you want to see Marina and the ladies, be sure to check the hotel site first to make sure you are visiting on an evening performance will occur.  Also in Fort Lauderdale is the world famous Mai Kai restaurant and dinner show.  With over 50 classic tiki drinks, dimly lit bar, tropical gardens, dinner show and fabulous service, you don't want to miss the Mai Kai.  Listen to the podcast for a brief description of our most recent visit.  

Tiki Caliente is coming!!!  This event will sell out early and is no celebrating 10 years.  The crew of the ZTL podcast will not only be attending but also hosting one of our fun room parties and tossing in a few surprises.  

If you aren't wearing a t-shirt from the club, what are you wearing?  We love Tiki Bar T-Shirt Club.  Soft cotton t's with a new tiki bar design each and every month.  Get a subscription and have a new shirt delivered each month, or grab just the one you like with no commitment.  

Only two or three times a year do we get all four ZTL hosts behind the bar for an episode.  Christmas is one of those magical moments and this episode is for those of you who enjoy the chaos.  Sunshine, Pumpkin, Starshine and Kalani are all here sharing their 11 years of holiday memories along with ample music from Tiki Joe's Ocean.  Below are some pics of our festive snacks and drinks mentioned on the show.  For drinking try Dirty Christmas Punch or Kalani's Punani.  Make Hawaiian bruschetta to impress your friends with a quick nibble that has a tropical touch.  Most of all, just listen to this episode.  Our 11th annual Holiday Spectacular.  

Back in 2012 we had the pleasure of hearing Tiki Joe's Ocean live at Damon's Steakhouse in Glendale.  Playing their first Christmas album for 200 holiday revelers in a classic tiki steakhouse.  The mood was merry and bright and the tunes could not have provided a more festive atmosphere.  See the video below, featuring Kari Hendler who introduces TJO.  Flash forward to 21017, TJO has released a second Christmas album that belongs on your playlist.  Download NOW and pour yourself a Mai Tai.  

All of us here at the Zen Tiki Lounge podcast recommend Tiki Bar T-Shirt Club.  Every month a new soft cotton T will be delivered right to your mailbox.  Buy a single T or get a 3, 6 or 12 month subscription.  

WARNING!!! All three Ladies of the lounge appear in this episode.  Let the cat wrangling begin.

We begin with a cocktail as always.  Pumpkin is surprise to find the Yellowbird in the cocktail shaker.  Her favorite cocktail she discovered on a cruise many years ago.  While no one else in the lounge is a fan of this drink, sometimes you give people what they like on their special day.  Needless to say Sunshine has improved the original recipe a bit to bring down the sweetness and take up the booze.  Banana schnapps easily overpowers all other ingredients so be careful and start with less when you try this one.  Its a real lady drink.  

As schedules get tighter and more complicated it is just a few times a year that all four hosts can get into the lounge for a podcast.  Below from left, Pumpkin, Starshine, Kalani and Sunshine jump behind the bar for a group shot.  Right, Pumpkin is mesmerized by her vegan key lime cheesecake or perhaps its the sheer number of candles.  There is little sense in describing the rest of the show in words.  When we are all in the lounge the conversation moves quickly and often becomes adult in nature.  Enjoy the listen.  

All of us in the Zen Tiki Lounge lover our Tiki Bar T-shirt Club shirts.  We wouldn't recommend a product we didn't use ourselves.  Click the pic and look at all the tiki bar designs, a new one each month.  Gift a subscription to a friend for the holidays or anytime.  

Moscow Mules are fine but the recipe is improved with good rum and extra ginger.  Try the Russian Troll.  

How do you win best cocktail?  You can start with an existing cocktail like the Chi Chi but do it much much better.  When the judges entered the room several of us thought "oh no, they are serving chi chis".  But then we tasted the common libation recreated in uncommon style.  Perfectly balanced pineapple, citrus and coconut.  Wonderful and refreshing.  Mahalo to the Neelys and Colemans for BEST Cocktail.  

When it comes to winning Best Decor there is a lot that can go into themeing and preparation.  The Crew from The Black Lagoon Lounge covered every inch of their room with cave like walls, spooking lighting, tasty snacks and murky cocktails.  The judges couldn't stop talking about all the details.  

Winner of Best Overall Room goes to the Brady Brunch.  Congratulations to the Silvas and Romos for double hosting a fabulous brunch in costume as the Brady Bunch and the scrumptious appetizers.  Sunshine may have gone back for the deviled eggs more than once.  

Below is a before and after of the hotel Suite at the Caliente Tropics.  One moment a standard motel room and just hours later a Totally Tacky Tiki 80's Dancy party.  The crew of the Zen Tiki Lounge podcast had as much fun as our Guests.  Thank you all who attended and to those who didn't.....see you next year at Circa!

As mentioned on this episode, Critiki.com has just release their list of  10 Best Tiki Bars 2017 around the world.  Have you been to 1 or all 10?  Check out the list and start drinking till you get to them all.  

The Spy music heard on this episode in order:

Spy vs. Spy: Combustible Edison

Spy's Demise: The Exotics

James Bond Theme: Various

Goldfinger: Shirley Bassey

You only live twice: Ray Davies and his Orchestra

She's gone again: The MelTones

Diamonds are forever: The London Theater Orchestra

Despair: Les Baxter and his Orchestra

Jill the Spy: Kenny Sasaki and The Tiki Boys

The Silencers: Hugo Montenegro and his Orchestra

All of us here in the Zen Tiki Lounge love wearing our shirts from Tiki Bar T-Shirt Club.  A new design each month delivered right to your mailbox.