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!
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.
Read MoreIn June 2009, Sunshine and the husband took a road trip from the Hukilau down to the Florida Keys. While walking around on the second day, they came across the Rum Barrel. The server recommended Marooned as a sweet drink that was very popular with locals. Well, we had two each and have made hundreds since. Luckily the server wrote down the recipe.
Read MoreOriginal hostess and Lady of the lounge Pumpkin requested a fruity and sweet libation that cleverly hides the alcohol without sacrificing a nice cocktail experience. She loves her tacky faux Polynesian drinks, especially when blended. Blue Tsunami requires no blender but delivers on all the boozy and fruity flavor in the request.
Read MoreIn warm and sunny SoCal we always have an excuse to look for a refreshing cocktail. Not too sweet and not to boozy. SoCal Hibiscus uses rum is made right here in Orange County, CA and has a beautiful sweet sugar cane and buttery aroma. The flavor is lightly sweet with a hint of burnt cane. Also from SoCal is the hibiscus syrup in this cocktail from Simply Gala. Simply Gala has a great line of syrups and hibiscus was perfect for this libation. Combined with fresh lemon juice, elderflower liquor and homemade passion fruit syrup.
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 MoreSome drinks are crafted on a dare. Thats how this cocktail started. In conversation Sunshine was tasked with mixing kiwi and banana along with a rum with strong character. Figuring out how to get kiwi and banana to mix together without creating a thick mess was the trick.
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreFor 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.
Read MoreSunshine Tiki often talks about his Very Spicy Rum when the holidays roll around each year. But this versatile home infused gold rum can be used in a good number of cocktails and baked goods all year long. With nothing more than an average gold rum, fresh spices and a little time. Follow our simple step by step video and impress your friends with your homemade spicy devil water.
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 MoreThis quick little cocktail was inspired by nothing more than leftover bar ingredients. And with fresh limes and lemons on the tree (yes, living in the sunbelt has its privileges) you can juice a lot of fruit now and serve this till the new year.
Read MoreWhile attending Circa Caliente 2018 we hosted a room party called Planet ClairErasure. Imagine a blacklight 80’s mini gold course with an alien planet theme. Our two libations were Seven Stars and Shetland Pony, although we used different names for the party.
Read MoreAt some point we all experience a brush off or return to sender notice from the very person we are infatuated with. These "bruised passions" can sometimes sting a little more than one might be prepared for. The solution is a lovely cocktail such as this
Read MoreJeannie's Fire puts the heat into your drinking experience. Feel her flames tingle down your throat as you sip on this citrus and brown sugar cocktail made with Deadhead aged rum. The spiced brown sugar syrup is an easy homemade sugar syrup that anyone can make. Watch the video and mix this drink!
Read MoreIts Halloween time in the Zen Tiki Lounge. In honor of our favorite holiday we bring you two new libations perfect for your darkest of evenings or gloomy afternoons. The Black Sapphire Martini and the Voodoo Kiss each provide a unique sipping experience that will evoke notions of spirits and spooks as long as you care to enjoy. Cheers and Mahalo!
Read MoreLocation, Location, Location. Fresh citrus is available in the winter months just about anywhere in the citrus growing regions of the world. I you are lucky enough to live in one or have access to a market with a good delivery schedule, mix this cocktail to turn any winter day into a sunny exposition
Read MoreOnce upon a time, every good tiki bar had a coffee rum drink menu. At least 3 or more decent after dinner drinks that helped you "sober" before going home. We may no longer be under the delusion that drinking coffee will help you get ready to operate a motor vehicle, but we certainly subscribe to the train of thought that our stimulants and depressants should be mixed together. Try Iced Lava Java on your next warm morning.
Read MoreIts hard to believe that after literally 100's of cocktails on this podcast we never put together a banana drink worth sharing. Well, here it is. The Banana Cream Pie cocktail blends fresh banana puree, three rums, brown sugar and fresh whipped cream. Not too sweet, just the right amount of tropical goodness. You will drink at least 4!
Read MoreMandarin Rumtini combines 4 kinds of citrus and a touch of spice. This drink started very simple and has been adjusted a few times as more friends of our little tiki bar started trying this one. A little more spice there, a little less citrus here. We think it is darn good by now.
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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