We are BACK! Its been a busy and odd few months. Haven’t posted a podcast in a few months. Below are pics from our super fun Bewitched themed party at Tiki Caliente 12. Copalli rum sponsored our cocktail called Bewitching. Serving over 250 drinks in 90 minutes, we know it was popular. If you haven’t tried Copalli we recommend the silver for an awesome Mojito or Daiquiri. We used the barrel rested in our signature cocktail at the event. Below from left to right are Aaron, our devoted rum sponsor. A full cast from the Bewitched party. Endora (Sunshine) playing bartender. And a shot of some of the revelers enjoying themselves.

The first of our Holiday gift ideas is from Cocktail Cadre. This line of shirts, mugs, posters and more are essentially architectural renderings of some of your favorite alcoholic drinks. Sunshine is wearing the Manhattan t-shirt during this episode. Cocktail nerds will love these designs and enjoy wearing them.

Click the pic below to find out more about Copalli Rum. We wouldn’t recommend if we didn't love it. There is a place on the bar shelf for both of these offerings. Try gifting this and grabbing a bottle for yourself. We found them at Hi Times, BevMo and Total Wine.

Another idea for the liquor fan in your life. We tried this scotch and fell in love. Its lightly smoky, fruity and has some nice aged qualities. Enjoy this neat or on the rocks. We have not tried this in a cocktail yet but there is still time for that. Try Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve.

May we suggest a gift for someone who has nothing or everything. Most people like to color, paint, be creative. These Cat Butt coloring books belong on your kitchen fridge. Include a nice set of coloring pencils and your special someone will have hours a fun. Or misery. Perhaps a restraining order filed against them.

Just visit Amazon and search for “catbutt coloring book” and you will have about 100 options. We like this one.

Its Time! Sunshines Very Spicy Rum season. Watch this video for quick instructions and make your own spiced rum. Once you try Sunshines version you can adjust the ingredients to your preferences. There really is no way to mess it up…..sort of.

Alrighty. This podcast is just a quick little something to hold y’all over till the Ladies of the Lounge are back behind the bar. Sunshine is solo this episode with a few quick topics and some listener feedback. MORE notes coming soon…got a party to go to

Turn the lights down, put on the exotica and mix up the Akashi Guava Sour. This new drink by Sunshine Tiki was inspired by our growing love of Gin. 135º East Dry Gin is a lovely herbal dry gin that mixes very well in a cocktail. All four hosts enjoyed sipping this while recording this episode of ZTL podcast.

All four hosts are in on this episode of ZTL. Sunshine, Starshine, Kalani and Pumpkin are together for one of the rare times we can all be together. After many years of trying to wrangle the cats Sunshine realized that making the ladies wear their headphones helped to keep them in line. When they can hear their own off topic conversation.

This episode focuses on listener mail and feedback. We had several fan submissions to discuss as well as some iTunes reviews that Starshine had been waiting for at least a year or two.

On this episode we again talk about a trip to Area15 in Las Vegas and our much anticipated visit to the new Lost Spirits distillery. The Area15 attraction is a vast indoor array of food, drinks, sights and sounds with many interactive experiences. Previously we shared how much we enjoyed our visit to the Meow Wolf Omega Mart installation. This time we are going to head into the newly opened Lost Spirits. This location is larger than the LA location and has several speakeasy style bars within. Tune in to the next podcast for our review. Check out the links below to consider making your own visit. We highly recommend this Las Vegas experience.

Go Ahead! Check out our friends at Tiki Bar T-Shirt Club. Soft cotton t’s with great sizing and a new tiki bar on each one. We wear them. We love them. So will you.

Sunshine and Kalani here in the lounge for two cocktails and a LOT of listener mail. We have some serious catching up to do with our fans after taking so many weeks off. Conversation includes: Gotta Go Flamingo, Kate’s Lazy Desert, Hi Time wine cellar, pre bottled mai tai, home pickling and Sunshines very odd late night dreams.

What are we drinking on this episode? The Sand Trap. Sunshine is not a fan of blends drinks but does have three recipes in his little book. This one is a take on the piña colada but lets just say its better if you don’t like those SWEET cocktails.

One of our listeners again asked us to review Kate’s Lazy Desert airstream motel in the California desert. Sunshine and the husband have booked a stay and will share all the details when we get back. Till then check out the site yourself and think about booking.

OK, this thing is ridiculous and deservers conversation. Just listen to this episode as we try out this potty training toy/gimmick for the kiddies. Yeah, we have one and we are not embarrassed.

Mentioned on this episode, our favorite booze emporium and EXCELLENT rum selection!

Even the snootiest cocktail snob sometimes has to make do with a quick cocktail shortcut…or go sober. When going sober is not your preference you may try one of the now many bottled cocktails. On The Rocks has a line of drinks including a Mai Tai. Sunshine rated this one 6 of 10 and recommends adding a squeeze of fresh lime and a dark Jamaican rum float. In a pinch this will do. If you have the ingredients and time it is recommended that you mix your own Mai Tai and store it in a large bottle for traveling. It will stay fresh enough for a day or two even without refrigeration if the alcohol content is 20% or more. Don’t forget the ice.

Sunshine and Pumpkin hopped onto the bar stools for this episode on a warm June afternoon. When Pumpkin is in the lounge we have blends drinks. Sunshine does NOT have many of these blended cocktails in his recipe book so turning to classic drink recipes is always a good idea. Missionaries Downfall from the Total Tiki app by Beachbum Berry. This particular classic 40’s recipe from Don the Beachcomber could be the best of the best when it comes to blended concoctions. Lime, mint and rum are perfectly combined for a refreshing drink that isn’t too sweet or too strong and can be sipped liberally.

Conversation on this episode includes: Super hero movies just need to stop, Golden Tiki Las Vegas has new food items and great new decor, memories of the first ZTL podcasts, dead raccoons in the ceiling of our old apartment, a tiki bar t-shirt club giveaway and more.

As discussed on this episode we recommend the Tiki Plus app from Beachbum Berry. This app is filled with over 250 classic and modern tiki drinks. The app continues to be updated making sure it works on your newest iPhone. On this episode we make Missionaries Downfall using the recipe from the app and no one was disappointed.

Previously on the podcast we have mentioned one of the great tiki events here in the US. Ohana Luaua at the Lake is every June in Lake George NY. Although the event is sold out and likely concluded by the time you see this, LIKE their page on facebook and be ready to book next year so you don’t miss the fun. If you enjoy great music, cocktails, pool time, shopping, room parties and more. The location in the world famous Adirondacks of New York is reason enough to attend. This is one event that we have not yet attended but hear only the best reviews from our regular podcast listeners.

Below, pics from the Golden Tiki. On his last trip to Las Vegas, Sunshine popped into the Golden Tiki as he always does. The bar has added some new food items as well as some great new decor and interactive birds who have a naughty preoccupation with adult language. Listen to the show for more details and you will be compelled to visit for yourself. Oh, and the video poker is usually great!

We love Tiki Bar T-shirt Club. Every month a new shirt delivered right to your door through subscription. Or, go to the site and order just the one you want. Soft cotton T’s that look great on everyone and come in a great range of sizes for men and women. Get your!!!

The last new podcast from the ZTL crew was March 15 2021. Apparently we all needed three months off. As all of your hosts started to either return to work or get ready for workplaces that are reopening to the public, things got a little crazy.

This episode was almost a little emotional to record. Sunshine and Kalani are behind the mic with a fantastic new gin cocktail and no scripted talking points at all. Kalani does not like gin but she did enjoy Auntie PuPu’s Butterfly. The drink changes color when acid is added and looks amazing in pictures. It also tastes great. Follow the link for the recipe and try making this one at home. One tip. Get your own bag of butterfly pea flowers and start making the tea right away. Fun!

This episode includes:

Lost of listener mail and iTunes reviews

The smell of space

Mama Juana home infusing challenge

Tiki Oasis Arizona or AZTO actually happened

Inebriated banter and a nice exotica soundtrack for your 60 minute jog, drive, flight etc.

Podcast listener Meredith asked if we had come across a spirit from the Dominican Republic called Mama Juana. And if we had, what would we mix it with. Sunshine had the “pleasure” of trying this infused rum/wine beverage while at Tiki Oasis in 2011 in an elevator of all placed. Not thinking about till the question was asked we have never bought any or mixed any. As luck would have it you can purchase a bag of Mama Juana herbs online and make your own without having to travel to the DR. Stay tuned for a future podcast when we can play with mixing cocktails with this Caribbean concoction.

Ahhhhhhh, the smell of space. Something most human beings will never have the opportunity to experience. A while back Sunshine noticed a kickstarter offer the chance to smell what the blackness of space is like. Turns out its like burnt meat, gunpowder and Bactene. You can still get a bottle for curiosity but be careful. This stuff is POTENT!

Always great new designs coming from our friends at Tiki Bar T-Shirt Club. Get a one each month or just the one you want. Give a gift subscription to a friend or loved one. We LOVE Tiki Bar T-Shirt Club.

Welcoming new friends to the podcast has been a little more difficult since March of 2020. Keeping things close to home is one way to stay safe and keep the show on the road. Neighbor Nichole joins us for the first time behind the microphone. Nichole was a natural behind the microphone on her first try. Sunshine was actually the one who made some mistakes that caused a few re takes.

Our drink is called MOOG Over Rita. This is a take on a tropical margarita that ended up better than any margarita we have had. The cocktail is simple to build but does have a fair number of ingredients. We do recommend the grapefruit rimming salt for the perfect pop of salty/sweet.

Conversation on this podcast includes: aged rum vs. Añejo, added colors and “natural” flavors in your spirits, visiting Cuba, Tasting grapefruit and coconut liquors and lots more

Step back in time to the early 70’s and get to know the MOOG, the first commercially available synthesizer. Used with some frequency in the exotica genre you will sometimes hear these spaced out vibes while sipping a drink in a tiki bar. Try the Les Baxter album as a great starting point. We have a feeling that you will be adding some Moog exotica classics to your dimly lit tiki bar soundtrack.

As discussed on this episode it is time to register and book rooms for the first tiki event of 2021 since the pandemic started. AZTO is going forward. While we will not be attending (work conflicts) we feel that its a great event for those are feeling safe to do so. Check out the details and decide for yourself. If you do attend please send us some pics and details of the fun. As of posting of this podcast (4/15/21) rooms and wristbands are still available. But, looks like they are booking fairly quick. Go get em!

Join the club! Soft cotton T’s with some of the best vintage tiki bar/hotel art you can find. We wear these shirts every week and always get compliments. We love Tiki Bar T Shirt Club and so will you.

Welcome to the lounge. Sunshine is solo at the bar this time. While the Ladies are off doing what they, Sunshine wanted to send out a podcast that answers a few questions. Top of mind has been a flurry of interest in what rum we prefer with our classic lime daiquiri. Pictured to right are some of (not all by any means) favorite spirits to enjoy in the quintessential drink. Plantation 3 Stars is a blended rum that offers a light sweetness and wonderful aroma. Barsol Pisco isn’t rum at all…;) which is why you should try it. This particular Pisco is classy like a brandy and takes our daiquiri on a journey to South America. Finally, we have an aged rum from SEATTLE…yes. Seattle. Sunshine came across this while on a trip to Washington and now keeps this wonderful rum behind the bar. Sun Rum amber is a good sipper and mixer. Listen to the podcast for all the tasting notes and details about these spirits.

Click any of the pictures below to visit the sites of each of these great spirits.

Also discussed on this episode: Why are drinks made at home not the same as your drink at the bar? Weight loss while drinking, Girl Scout cookies are here, reasons NOT to visit a “tiki bar” , salt free seasons that really taste good, and some Martin Denny on vinyl converted to Digital.

This year all of us in the lounge have been trying things to adjust our lifestyles, improve our health and live our best. Removing added salt from our diets is just one modification. These inexpensive salt free seasons from Target of all places are a slam dunk…and the Chipotle is the super star.

We love Tiki Bar T-Shirt Club. Click the banner and check out the cool designs. Buy a shirt. Subscribe and get a new one each month. We wear them and so should you.

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This podcast is known to be a place you can come to find out more of the great things going on in the tiki world. Such are the regular videos from Spike of the Hula Girls. Below are two we talked bout on this episode. Specifically you’ll want to watch this for some back story on both Don the Beachcomber that was located in Huntington Beach/Sunset Beach California and the Mai Kai in Fort Lauderdale Florida. Plus you get some great drink recipes and see how to make them. Black Magic is one of Sunshines all time favorite tiki drinks and until know we didn’t have a recipe.

What an honor to host Jim Hurricane Hayward from the Atomic Grog blog on our first video conference! He has worked tirelessly to decode many Mai Kai cocktail...

This was supposed to be a short video... Then I got a message from a friend about a giant neon swordfish that sat proudly above Don the Beachcomber/ Sam's Se...

The Atomic Grog has many of the secret Mai Kai drink recipes, carefully deconstructed by Jim Hayward.

Mentioned on the show is a site we used to visit all the team. Critiki had been a fun reproduce for finding tiki bars around the world. Although the site is no longer updated it is still a trove of history for the tiki community. If you ever wanted to know what tiki joints may have been in your are in the past you can find out here. Many of the listed locations are still in operation and many others are not. If you haven’t tried it out before take a look and you may find out something you didn’t previously know about one of your favorite haunts or find a new one to visit when pandemic is over.

Also discussed on this episode:

the great grape nut shortage

Esquiuvel classic, Esquivel electronic remixes, Mr. Hos Orchestrotica Esquivel covers

Where are people listening from this past week?

Adding a little water to your rum for tasting, how much?

This trip into the Zen Tiki Lounge is nothing more than a nice conversation with great drinks and exotica. Sunshine mixed up a little something tropical with kombucha, rum and fresh juice. Les Baxter is playing throughout the show. Kalani assists with the conversation. Topics include: age demographics in the tiki community, skin care for those who don’t need it, the new dating app for tikis who hate diversity, new exotica playlists on apple radio, dealing with being born last century, and much more.

On this episode we tried the most tropical Kombucha flavor we would find. This pineapple guava, passion fruit booch was a hit. And we make a cocktail with it. This appears to be a limited time flavor so you may not be able to make the exact same drink as we did. Try Brew Dr.