A dimly lit tiki bar that lives in your head. Each and every podcast we bring you a new exotic cocktail followed by plenty of tiki talk, exotica tunes and whatever else your loyal hosts Sunshine, Pumpkin and Starshine care to dispense. Politics, religion and current events are all free game. This podcast is not for the kiddies, so remember to get a sitter before tuning in. Mahalo.
Each time we record our podcast at Don the Beachcombers Tiki Mâkeke we have the opportunity to interview fellow tikiphiles and bring you some of the latest happenings in music, liquor, artists and more. This visit includes a chat with Sarah Kraft of Calivore spirits, Susan Neslon, Samantha Coulter from Don's and Kari Hendler about The Reef Palm Springs.
Read MoreSunshine is in the lounge solo on this episode of ZTL podcast mixing cocktails and listening to Hawaiian classics and Hapa Haole. Time for a quick and easy cocktail made with one his favorite hard to find spirits. Okoleaho is native to Hawaii and can be found if you look very hard in some West coast liquor establishments. Or, just bring back a few bottles when you return from Hawaii. With just three ingredients the Puka Shell scales up to any size drink you have a thirst for.
Read MoreWhen this podcast was recorded Sunshine and Pumpkin, your two original ZTL hosts were thinking this would be a Valentines themed show from our home tiki bar. Well, not so much after taking a week to edit the damn thing. We did start with our signature tiki drink of love. Please take a look at our recipe for Aloha Amoré and mix one for love or try one for wanton inebriation. Either way Aloha Amoré will delight with pineapple, grapefruit, chocolate and passion fruit. If you dig the music playing in the lounge you may want to check out this Ultra Lounge album: On The Rocks.
Read MoreRaise your cocktail to the escapism lifestyle. This episode of ZTL has over 40 minutes of vintage vinyl exotica to get you settled in your dimly lit corner. Sunshine is in the lounge solo enjoying a Rumhattan made with Plantation 5yr Rum and Punta e Mes vermouth. Don't forget the orange bitters. While visiting the dimly lit tiki bar that lives in your mind you will no doubt savor the entire Morton Gould-Jungle Drums recorded from an original vinyl album. The sound of this orchestral work is rich with colorful instruments and plenty of drums.
Read MoreFalling in love is a splendid thing. Here in the Zen Tiki Lounge we tend to fall for spirits in the rum category. The current apple of our eye is a blonde rum from Calivore Spirits Co. Aged in chardonnay barrels this version of cane goodness is not what you are used to. We recommend grabbing a bottle of Calivore at Whole Foods in Southern Ca and also Hi Times Wine Cellars in South Orange County.
Read MoreHow do you quickly pass 5 hours with great artists, tiki drinks, live music and lots of Ohana? You attend the Tiki Mâkeke at Don the Beachcomber in Huntington Beach. Sunshine and Starshine took the podcast to the event and enjoyed a day with lots of friends and new faces. We have several interviews for you in this episode that will give you some insight into upcoming events, get to know a new spirit or two and great conversation with the artists who make it all happen.
Read MoreAll of us in here at ZTL have been traveling after the holidays. Pumpkin just returned from a Caribbean cruise and wanted another Dirty Shirley. Normally we wouldn't be sipping such a drink in our tiki bar, but we let her have what she wants just this one time. 1.5 oz Vodka, .75 oz grenadine (we used real homemade pomegranate syrup) and 4-5 oz lemon lime soda are a nice combination when and only when combined correctly in the right amounts. Sunshine kept to his palate and enjoyed a Hemingway Daiquiri. You can click for the recipe and the story behind the classic cocktail.
Read MoreThe Zen Tiki Lounge podcast is hosted by a group of friends from our home tiki bar. The show focuses on Exotica Music, Cocktail Culture, Mid Century Modern, Kitsch and the "Island Lifestyle." Join us for a slightly inebriated trip into our dimly lit paradise.
