Sunshine, our host and award-winning amateur mixologist, shares his recipes for the cocktails featured on Zen Tiki Lounge podcast. These drinks are delicious and the recipes are updated over time. They range from simple, to complex are often stronger than they appear.
Try some out and share your thoughts in the comments. We'd love to hear what you think!
Every tiki bar needs a few mocktails. A great virigin drink can be boozy or not, like this one. Starshine asked for a mock tail to keep her liver in repair mode. This tea based drink is light and refreshing with a foam top that adds that EXTRA to the presentation and first sip.
Read MoreMany people want a drink that looks good in social media. Some of those photogenic cocktails don’t pass the quality or taste test. We assure you that Auntie PuPu’s Butterfly will not only look great in a photo tagged #cheers, but the gin, tea and floral flavors make a very nice sip. Get ready to impress your friends.
Read MoreInspiration 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!?
Read MoreHow 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.
Read MoreIf 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.
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreOur 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.
Read MoreIf you live in the sun belt of the southern states you have likely heard of a smudge pot. These oil burning chimney like devices have kept our citrus crops from freezing on cold nights for many decades. In honor of the humble smudge pot we created this spirit forward cocktail.
Read MorePOG 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.
Read MoreIf you seek a place of relaxing contemplation you may want to try Chinese Sandman. For those who imbibe before bed time, this may be the drink for you. Potent enough to sedate and just sweet enough to hit you like an end of day dessert.
Read MoreIts been known for centuries that drinking alcohol can be safer than water. Allegedly. Consult your physician before testing this theory. Then, mix up Agua Suja and celebrate the Summer 2016 Olympic games in Rio de Jeneiro. Ward off Zika virus and most other vectors that could otherwise dampen your trip to paradise.
Read MoreThis drink only graces our lips when Pumpkin is in the lounge. Her favorite drink is both sweet and strong. Sip one or two of these by the pool for breakfast.
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