Zen Tiki Lounge

Screwing takes a little longer than just popping it off. And, Starshine would rather screw it than pop it off. These are just two inebriated quotes from this episode of everyones favorite dimly lit tiki bar. Join Sunshine and Starshine for our first episode of 2021. Our theme this time is South America. Bossa Nova and Pisco Sours set the mood for some conversation about 2020 listener statistics, a new naughty kids show from Denmark, Sunshines favorite new bar toy and much more.

Make a Pisco Sour. A classic South American cocktail that is argued to be better in either Chile or Peru. We like the classic version and also enjoy a few twists now and then. Try using a passion fruit syrup instead of simple syrup for a nice change.

2 oz Pisco

1 oz Egg White

1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice (strain pulp)

.75 oz Simple Syrup

Dash of Angostura Bitters

Combine everything but bitters in a shaker with ice and shake very very well. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and top with Angostura Bitters. Extra points if you can make a letter or design with the bitters. Egg whites scare some people but using the pasteurized egg whites in the carton is a safe way to go. Though nothing beats a fresh egg white.

Over a year ago now Sunshine joined a kickstarter for THE NEW cocktail shaker of the future. Elevated Craft Cocktail Shaker is pretty darn nice. The size is just right. Stainless steel. Insulated with locking lid and cap, you can take it anywhere with the drink already inside. Drinks stay cold for up to 24 hours! This is your to go mixed drink for two to four people. Now that we have used it a few times we LOVE that the lid has up to 6oz of measuring rings in the inside. Its wonderful to get one less thing from the bar, ditch that measuring device.

Just watch the children show below from our friends in Denmark. We go into some fun detail about the already off air program on this episode. Again, just watch it. You won’t be sorry. But you may wonder why it was meant for kids.

Have we made it? Is 2020 about to end? Will it be replaced with something better? There really is no way to tell. So mix yourself a cocktail and listen to us pontificate the potential future for all of us. Sunshine is drinking a Mai Tai made with Ten To One dark Caribbean rum and Facundo Neo silver rum. Kalani is enjoying a right proper Painkiller made with Pussers Navy rum. Pumpkin….well, iced tea.

Mentioned above we tried the Flaviar tasting kit as a holiday gift. Sunshine tried Ten To One rum which was reminiscent of Plantation dark but overall more complex. Facundo Neo is a nice sliver that is dry in taste and sweet on aroma. Both worked very well in a lime daiquiri and the Neo was wonderful in a Hemmingway Daiquiri. Should you try the Flaviar tasting kit? We will discuss more on one of our next podcasts.

Just like 2020 starting to move to the rear view mirror, our old podcast mixing board is doing the same. Sunshine was gifted the Rodecaster Pro seen on the right. We have high hopes that this little doo dad will add some efficiency to editing our humble show as well as make things more fun. One of the best features is the ability to directly input phone calls. Long time listeners recall some very poor quality interviews in the past. We hope 2021 will provide the opportunity to interview more great people in the tiki, rum, music and party scenes. Plus…colorful buttons and lots of fun switches and knobs. Hell, if it lights up with pretty colors Sunshine is all over it. Stay tuned to future podcasts for whatever comes of this new fun toy. And special Mahalo to the husband (Sunshines Hubby) for the purchase.

What a difference a pandemic makes when recording our annual holiday spectacular. In previous years we have invited podcast listeners, friends and family. This year its just your four hosts and a husband or two. Plus masks and distancing. Yeah, not as fun. But we make the most of a holiday gathering with the shenanigans you may be used to. Sipping on several cocktails from our library helps make things fun. CLICK HERE for the full list of drinks and start mixing at home.

We have some great music for you on this episode. The Urban Surf Kings and Jill Martini and the Shrunken Heads have recorded some classics in their unique styles. See below for the links to the artists pages and consider purchasing the ones you like. We only play what we recommend.

Our pictures this year were taken with the aid of a green screen. Each of us posed individually and then we put it all together. If you have a creative someone in your household who can do this we recommend it for some safe fun during quarantine. Who knew that Starshine could bench three podcast hosts holding cocktails?

We really do hope you enjoy the show. We did!

It’s Coquito Time!

Our annual tradition includes Coquito shots on the podcast to get everyone in the mood. Use your recipe and make your own just in time for the holidays.

Podcast listeners ask us each year where they can get holiday music for their tiki bar. We have been fortunate over the years to have relationships with bands who send us music for the show. The Urban Surf Kings have released a trio of songs this season that you will want to hear and add to your collection. Greensleeves, Deck the Halls and I Saw Three Ships. You will hear all three tracks on this episode of Zen Tiki Lounge. And give a listen to their other albums. Sunshine particularly likes the pictured album below, El Camino Del Los Muertos. Mahalo to the band for giving us a jingle to let us know about this awesome album. You can also get their music on iTunes.

In this season of giving we have a treat for you. Jill Martini and the Shrunken Heads have a holiday tune you know and love. The band have released Let it Snow with a tiki/exotica style that you will certainly love and add to your playlist. Click the link and head on over to their site and consider purchasing their 2019 album The Natives are Restless. Mele Kalikimaka! A huge mahalo to the band for allowing us to play the tune on this episode of the podcast.

Several excerpts on this podcast come from the wonderful Christmas albums from Tiki Joe’s Ocean. So great they released a second album just for the holidays. Click the pic and get your copy of the albums.

Give the gift of good taste in t-shirts. Tiki Bar T-Shirt Club has a new soft cotton T each month delivered right to your mailbox.

Its no secret that the Covid pandemic continues to blaze around the globe. In an abundance of caution (aren’t we all sick of hearing that phrase) we continue to record the podcast via Zoom on most occasions so that we can remain safe in our little bubbles. The first two segments of the show were a failed attempt to try ASMR on our audience. If you follow the kids on tiktok or instagram no doubt you have heard of the popularity of this relaxing and cult like phenomenon. Why didn’t it work? Well, you just can’t speak softly and be heard well over Zoom. Perhaps we will try again when we can all get in the lounge with the good microphones.

Sunshine, Starshine and Kalani are here on this episode sipping this seasons first batch of Coquito. If you haven’t tried making your own, its time. Better than eggnog and easily prepared vegan without sacrificing any flavor or holiday joy.

You should be wearing a shirt from Tiki Bar T-Shirt Club. Each month a new soft cotton t that people will ask “where did you get that”?

ZTL XMAS

This episode has been re posted on 11/24/2020 and was originally posted 12/14/12.

Notes and song titles coming soon... Enjoy the podcast and Happy Holidays

Make our classy holiday cocktails in your very own home:

Coquito ("little coconut")

Ingredients

• 1 cup water

• 12 cloves

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• 1 inch-long piece of fresh ginger, peeled

• 1 15-ounce can of Coco Lopez

• 1 12-ounce can of Carnation Evaporated Milk

• 1.5 cup light rum (I use Cruzan)

• Powdered cinnamon

Directions

• Place water, cloves, cinnamon sticks and ginger in a small saucepan to create an infusion. Cook at medium heat until the mixture begins to boil.

• After cooking, cover and let the infusion cool for 15 minutes. Remove cinnamon, cloves, and ginger.

• Place the Coco Lopez, evaporated milk, rum and infusion in a blender. Cover and blend for 30 seconds.

• Pour contents into a glass bottle with a cinnamon stick and refrigerate until cold.

• Serve in 2-5 ounce glasses. Sprinkle top with powdered cinnamon.

• Like an egg nog, the flavor improves with time. It's quite good freshly made, but a 14-28 day aging in the refrigerator does wonders for it.

Christmas Island Sparkling Punch

1 bottle brut champagne

2 cups peppermint tea (brew 4 bags in two cups boiling water, chill before adding to punch)

30 oz pineapple juice

1.5 cups spiced rum (Sunshine's Very Spicy Rum, or another spiced rum that is heavier on the spice and lighter on the vanilla)

4 oz Hibiscus syrup or REAL pomegranate grenadine

Lemon juice to adjust sweet/tartness to your liking

Add everything to a chilled punch bowl and use a large ice ring to keep it cold.

Spiced Caramel Apple

3/4 oz Caramel Apple Vodka

3/4 oz Spiced Rum

1.5 oz Apple Cider

Shake well with crushed ice and serve in a chilled cocktail glass.  Garnish with apple wedges that have been soaked in spiced rum overnight.

Muahahahahaa! Its our favorite time of year here in the Zen Tiki Lounge. Starshine, Pumpkin and Sunshine put on some wigs, grabbed a cocktail and turned on the ol’ ZOOM. Our newest Halloween time cocktail is Ashes, Ashes, We All Fall Down. SoCal silver rum and Stolen Smoked rum. With citrus and spice plus a torched orange wheel. You’ll be drinking this one through Thanksgiving.

Listen to the show for our hopes and dreams of the Halloween season. The end of the episode includes 4 of Sunshines favorite darker exotica tunes to set the proper mood for. your dimly lit dungeon. Cheers and Mahalo

Ashes, Ashes, We All Fall Down showcases both SoCal silver rum and Stolen Smoked rum. With citrus and spice plus a torched orange wheel. You’ll be drinking this one through Thanksgiving.

Mentioned on this episode is Sunshines man crush on Spike’s Breezeway Cocktail Hour show. Spike of the Hula Girls has been making the most of Covid while performances are not so much happening. Enjoy Spike as he takes you through a new drink each episode with special guests and tiki centric conversations. Better yet, make the drinks and keep watching more episodes.

Also mentioned on this episode is the essential podcast The Quiet Village hosted by our good friend DigiTiki aka Marty Lush. Those of us here at ZTL know our way around exotica, but Marty is the expert. We listed a few of this older podcasts below with great track listings for all your Tiki Bar Halloween needs. But don’t stop there. Subscribe to The Quiet Village on iTunes or android and never miss an episode.

Episode 62: The Zombie show

Episode 34: Music for a Spookylau

Episode 9: Music for a dark bar

Your Halloween shindig would not be complete without spirited libations. Over the years Sunshine Tiki has crafted more than a few drinks perfect for the entire month of October. Just click any of the below links to go directly to the description and recipes. Consider making Sunshines Very Spicy Rum now so you have it ready for the entire holiday season (Link #4 below) Links in order of the pics below from left to right.

Ashes, Ashes, We All Fall Down

Voodoo Kiss & Black Sapphire Martini

Burnt Bourbon

Sunshines Very Spicy Rum

Iced Lava Java

Dusty Rum Barrel

The Witch Doctor

We LOVE Tiki Bar T-Shirt Club. We wear them and we recommend them. Get just the shirt you want or subscribe and get one each month as all the new designs come out. Just click the pic.

Just for Curtis and Kevin,..write up coming later. Sunshine is pickled.

Podcast Re Post: This episode is originally from February 2015. He’s baaaaaaaaaaaaack. Campari Kraken visits the lounge for the fifth time and he has some questions from podcast listeners who joined us during the recording. If you enjoy not having any of your fortunes told, CK is the tiki bar psychic you have been looking for.

Our cocktail this week is a take on the Pisco sour, adding a slight tiki twist. Sunshine mixes both Pisco and Brandy along with falernum and the standard citrus and egg white you love in this classic cocktail. Don’t forget the bitters on top.

Click here for the Zen Tiki Lounge Sour recipe

This weeks podcast was almost completely hijacked by Campari Kraken.  Flying in on his used magic carpet, Campari guessed the futures of several listeners.  Anyone who asks CK a question should always be prepared for a rude if not very honest answer.  That is exactly what he delivered.  

Sunshine and Kalani engage in a discussion of Gods and Goddesses.  As human cultures did in the past, you can always make up a new God to explain something you don't understand.  Don't know why toilet water swirls in a certain direction?  No problem.  Think of a name for your new God.  Now make up a story that explains your problem, and it is best that there is not scientific basis for the story whatsoever.  See!  Now you can explain anything just like the ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians did.   

Prior to recording the show we asked our friends on Facebook if they wanted to share a cocktail recipe.  And, if sipped on the podcast the winners received a ZTL T-Shirt.  Kelly Patterson of Velveteen Lounge Kitsch-en submitted her drink called Sitting Pretty.  This tequila drink was perfect for the hottest week of Summer.  Try it for yourself.  All ingredients are easy to come by, nothing to difficult here.  

Sitting Pretty (submitted by Kelly Patterson) 

2 oz Gold Tequila

1 oz Pineapple Juice

.5 oz Grendadine

.25 oz Lime Juice

1 Dash Angostura Bitters

Shake all with ice and strain into a chilled champagne glass.  Top with sparkling wine of your choice.  Refreshing and intoxicating.  Cheers! 

This podcast originally posted 2/22/2013 and has been reposted along with the other 6 episodes with appearances by Campari Kraken. Kalani and Sunshine are in the lounge sipping a variety of flavored and classic mojitos.  People often ask what drink or drinks to serve for a group when they have little behind the bar experience.  A mojito is a great option.  Few ingredients and can be customized easily with little effort.  See Sunshines batch recipe below and invite your guests to experiment a little at your next cocktail party.  Our music this week is an album we found on eMusic.com.  "Erotic Lounge Essentials" is a decent album with a large track list of exotica classics covered by Ethel Azama, Bas Sheva and Tak Shindo.  Good album to put on and just let it go so you don't have to worry about a play list.  Is it erotic per say?  Nah.  After a few drinks and some music we are joined by resident tiki bar psychic Campari Kraken.  CK answers a few listener questions and tells a fortune or two.  And in true self aggrandizing style, he subtly informs people how trivial their lives really are.  We finish the show with a tune from our friends The Revomatics, White Cap Sunrise.  Cheers and Mahalo!

Mojave Oasis April 12-14 2013 (This event not longer happens)

Tiki Caliente 5 May 17-19 2013

White Cap Sunrise by: The Revomatics

Drink of the Week: Pitcher of Mojitos