ABBAstract

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THE Rory Snyder introduced us to the guys from 9 North Rum. And we quickly developed a a nice relationship with a brand that produces a very nice variety of rums. We don’t make drinks with rum we don’t actually like. This drink is made with the 9 North Especiado. It’s a “spiced” rum that we feel is more like an infusion…but we can argue spiced vs. infusion over more drinks later.

Anywho, this spiced rum by 9 North is dark, with notes of lemon grass, ginger, a little floral and some very well balanced baking spices. Perfectly pairs with black tea and fresh citrus.

We served 240 of these at tiki Caliente 15. Check out the party pics below.

1.5oz 9 North Especiado

1.5oz Fresh Orange Juice

1.5oz Brewed Black Tea

.25oz Orgeat

.25oz Simple Syrup

Squeeze of fresh Lime

Lightly shake everything with ice. Strain into a glass or tiki mug filled with crushed ice. Garnish with Mint and Orange Wheel. *If you like a little more tartness, add more lime.

Not Your Mothers Missionaries Downfall

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Not Your Mothers Missionaries Downfall

Here in the Zen Tiki Lounge we enjoy classic and new tiki drinks. Missionaries Downfall is made whenever the plant is bursting with fresh green leaves. We prefer a little more booze in ours, and a little more flavor by choosing a Jamaican rum along with a rum from the French islands.

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MOOG Over Rita

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MOOG Over Rita

Inspiration for a new drink often starts with an original, in this case the margarita. If you build this cocktail correctly you will find it sour first, then sweet. The green Chile is noticeable from the first time you swallow. Passion fruit works well with the Chile, who knew!?

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Ashes, Ashes, We All Fall Down

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Ashes, Ashes, We All Fall Down

How about a little smoke with your Pumpkin spice? Ashes, Ashes, We All Fall Down has a light smoke flavor with hints of Pumpkin spice, citrus and sweet silver rum. We are often asked for seasonal tiki style drinks and every now and then we like to oblige. Sunshine crafted this on a nice Sunday afternoon with the fresh ingredients on hand.

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Coconut Mele

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Coconut Mele

The word Mele in Hawaiian means chant or song or poem. In this libation the word is an ode to the subtle and complex flavors of the coconut when used correctly. Coconut milk is rich and creamy. Coconut liquor is sweet and toasty. Lime balances the sweetness and adds a bit of tart that isn’t expected. And orange blossom water provides a sweet floral note that sits in the background and lets the coconut remain the star.

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Piña Royale

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Piña Royale

If you enjoy the warmth of vanilla this will be one of your favorite Spring cocktails. Piña Royale offers fresh lime, lemon and orange juices of the season with pineapple infused rum and a strong does of vanilla liquor. Consider this a poolside drink thats ready the same time your pool starts to get warm enough.

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Ladies Man (A Lost Drink)

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Ladies Man (A Lost Drink)

In June of 2015 we visited Smugglers Cove for the first time. This place is a cocktail must for the tiki drink lovers out there. If you arrive at opening and head to the bar you will likely have a short period you can chat with the bartenders before the places gets slammed with thirsty sailors. In conversation with two mixologists we centered on the use of rose and orange waters as flavoring and aroma enhancers. The key is to use them sparingly so they don’t take over the drink.

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Jaded

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Jaded

In a back and forth text, Sunshine and Starshine were discussing savory cocktails. Starshine requested something that was both savory and included cucumbers. After receiving the give of green Chartreuse Sunshine thought this was a great opportunity to bring it all together. Jaded has both savory and sweet qualities as well as some nice vegetal aromas from the green Chartreuse.

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Bayou Swamp Slush

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Bayou Swamp Slush

Our original hostess Pumpkin loves her blendy drinks. Sunshine rarely creates one of these concoctions as he feels they are generally fairly “cruise ship” in flavor and overly sweet for no reason. Tangerines, clementines and Satsumas all have similar flavor but the tangerine or Cutie is most widely available in todays supermarket. For that reason this drink uses the fresh juice of tangerine along with a Satsuma liquor made by Bayou. Finding this citrus spirit may be challenging and you can easily substitute a 30% ABV sweet orange spirit if needed.

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Pride Of The Bar

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Pride Of The Bar

For pride month we you bring you a mixed drink that’s naturally colorful and full of fruit flavor. Lemon and Lime juices with Rum, Boysenberry, Orange, Almond and herbs are shaken together in a refreshing drink thats the perfect balance of sweet and sour. Multiply everything by 10 and make a pitcher for poolside fun that lasts the whole month of June.

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Rain Forest Sling

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Rain Forest Sling

Ginny Gin Gin. The kids love their gin these days. Here in the Zen Tiki Lounge we prefer a gin drink with a tropical touch. When using gin we like something more herbal and floral vs. astringent and juniper forward. There are so many specialty gins on the market these days that you won’t have any trouble finding a nice local gin to use in this cocktail along with fresh juices and some Brazilian cachaça.

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Russian Troll

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Russian Troll

If this drink sounds like it may be adjacent to a Moscow Mule thats because it is.  Swapping out dark rum for the vodka and adding some extra ginger kick is what makes this drink perhaps better than the usual mule.  The naming inspiration comes from none other than our current political climate which includes Russian social media hacking and all kinds of other shenanigans we would all like to forget about over a drink or two, or three.  

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POG GROG

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POG GROG

POG GROG isn't a cocktail by any means but it is what people ask for.  Rum and juice.  Tropical but not too sweet and still the flavor of rum comes through.  Choose a rum that you enjoy the smell of and that also has a slightly sweet taste.  Jamaican rums are great for this due to their lovely island aromas of sweet cane, floral touches and general smoothness.

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