Zen Tiki Lounge Podcast

ZTL 217 Cocktails On The Space Shuttle

Feb 282013

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (55.7MB)

Back in mid 2011, Sunshine Tiki and Starshine popped into the lounge for what should have been a typical day at the tiki bar. Almost two years later we found the recording. If you listen to the first few minutes of the show you will get a big clue why the show was misplaced somewhere in the darkest recesses of the internet. To begin with, we were drinking Tahitian Rum Punch. This strong beverage was pulled from the amazing cocktail book “Remixed” by the infamous Beachbum Berry. If you don’t have the book we certainly recommend you grab it. And or, get the app for your iPhone which has some super cool interactive properties. For example if you see an ingredient you aren’t familiar with you can tap on it and go straight to information on that ingredient without having to do a web search and leave the app. Not only is that cool but the drink pics are some of the best we have ever seen. In the background you will hear some great exotica that will soothe even the wildest of beasts. Our subject matter this week includes great news about our exclusive orange moai mug made by our friends at PopTiki.com and lots of other blather. Again, this one is from almost two years ago so rather than pretend all the info will be new, just listen and enjoy the trip back in time. If you enjoy the song at the end of the show, thats because you like the Revomatics. You can download their album on iTunes, get their performance dates by clicking the link and more!

Spread us like VD!

ZTL 270 Passion Pineapple Mojitos And A Tiki Bar Psychic

podcasts No Responses »

Feb 232013

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (74.6MB)

Kalani and Sunshine are in the lounge sipping a variety of flavored and classic mojitos. People often ask what drink or drinks to server 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. ”Exotic Lounge Essentials” is a decent album with a large track list of exotica classics covered by Ethel Azama 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

Tiki Caliente 5 May 17-19 2013

White Cap Sunrise by: The Revomatics

Mojito Batch Recipe:

2 Cups fresh lime juice

1.5 Cups sugar

.5 cup water

Two large bunches mint, remove leaves from stems

2 Cups 10 Cane Rum

1 Cup Cruzan Aged Light Rum or another mid priced silver rum

In a large bowl, add rums and torn mint leaves. Steep mint in rum for a few hours in the refrigerator. In another bowl mix sugar, lime juice and water. Stir till sugar dissolves. Do not use heat method, it changes flavor of lime juice. Strain mint leaves from rum and combine both mixtures. This is your Mojito base. It should be a little on the tart/sour side as this is a concentrate of sorts. Put mojito mix in a pitcher for pouring. Offer a selection of flavored rums such as coconut, mango, orange, vanilla etc. In a glass filled with crushed ice let your guests add 3/4 to 1 ounce of a flavored rum to their glass, 3 ounces of soda water (NOT LEMON LIME SODA) and 2 ounces of mojito mix. Garnish with bruised mint leaves and a lime wedge. Enjoy!

Use the links below to get great music and products while supporting Zen Tiki Lounge. We do need to pay the internet bill.

Sierra Club Logo

Spread us like VD!

ZTL 269 The Science Of Tiki Bar Cocktails

podcasts No Responses »

Feb 162013

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (73.1MB)

As the title of this weeks show may have led you to believe, there is a little tiki bar science on our show this time. Specifically,people often ask about the importance of ice and which kind to use in a cocktail. The simplest answer is to follow the recipe and use the kind of ice (crushed, cubed, cracked etc.) that the mixologist called for. But for a little more science on this subject Sunshine mixes a few drinks with different kinds of ice and shows why it is important to follow directions. We do this with a Planters Punch, which is the first of two drinks this week. Our drinks come from the “2 in 1 International Recipe Card Collection.” Remember those index card sets in the back of Nanas bar? Filled with mayonnaise based appetizers and very stiff cocktails. Well we dug it out and chose two drinks and one appetizer for each of the next four shows. After Planters Punch we try a simple orange banana loaf and a Champagne Cocktail as an after dinner drink. Simply amazing. With a few drinks in us we feel liberal enough to discuss plants with racist names, Tupperware gossip, our facebook yard sale and electronic cigarettes. And then we throw in an update on two of the fastest approaching tiki events. In April we have Mojave Oasis. April 12-14 you will want to part of an intimate camping/trailer event in the California desert called Mojave Oasis. Check out the link or listen to the podcast for more details. You can also catch the hosts of Zen Tiki Lounge at Tiki Caliente 5 which is May 17-19 in fabulous Palm Springs, California. Both events feature not only the warmth of the California sun but also the lovely warmth of tiki and mid century enthusiasts from all over the country gathering for Ohana and plenty of cocktails, exotic music and shenanigans. Don’t miss either event. Rounding out the show we share some sad news about the closing of world famous Bahooka on March 10. This Los Angeles area tiki establishment has been around for decades and we highly encourage you to stop by and have a steak and mai tai before its too late. You may even be able to purchase some of the kitsch from the very restaurant itself as the start to close down. :( On a much brighter note you can catch a full hour interview with Sunshine Tiki on the Ray Boylan show. Ray hosts a weekly show on LaTalkRadio.com and often features tikiphiles such as Sunshine and many great bands, artists, authors etc. Check out this most recent episode and the back catalog using the link. Lastly, we want to offer you a way to get a copy of the new book by our good friend Everett Peacock. Escape from Hanalei is the latest read from Everett, Sunshine Tiki approved and loved. Listen to the show to find out how you can get a copy from us, or even better yet (and quicker) go on over to Amazon and buy yourself a paperback or Kindle version to show Everett you support ZTL and his great work. Until next time, Cheers and Mahalo!

Closing song this week: Jungle Doctor by Ding Dong Devils

Drinks on this weeks show:

Champagne Cocktail

1 lump or teaspoon of white sugar

1 dash bitters

5 ounces brut Champagne

Put sugar and bitters in the bottom of a chilled champagne glass. Fill with champagne. Simple!

Planters Punch

.5 ounce lime juice

1.5 ounces dark rum

1 ounce simple syrup (some recipes call for grenadine)

2 ounces club soda

Pour it all in a tall glass filled with crushed ice and stir with a swizzle stick. Garnish with cherry and pineapple. Another simple drink from back in the day.

Use the links below to get great music and products while supporting Zen Tiki Lounge. We do need to pay the internet bill.

Sierra Club Logo

Spread us like VD!

ZTL 245 The Return of Campari Kraken, Tiki Bar Psychic

podcasts No Responses »

Feb 122013

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (71.1MB)

Aloha, and welcome to the Zen Tiki Lounge. It has been a few weeks since we got back in the lounge and recorded a podcast. Sunshine, Starshine and Campari Kraken are all here this week. On his first visit, the renowned Kampari Kraken introduced himself as the worlds most famous tiki bar psychic. This time, Campari sips a cocktail that Sunshine named in his honor and reflects on the difficulties of traveling via flying carpet when the weather is damp. No one likes a wet carpet. Campari also answers a few listener questions, if you consider his responses answers. Starshine shares of her excitement for a quickly approaching Las Vegas trip that will include a visit to Frankies Tiki Room and the Rhum Bar, our two favorite places in sin city to grab well crafted rum drinks. If you haven’t been to Frankies, we recommend going while the sun is still up. This helps you experience the stark contrast of the Vegas sun and the dimly lit interior of a classic looking tiki bar complete with bamboo decor, carved tikis, hanging puffer fish and a few of their exclusive tiki mugs. And don’t forget the cocktails. A complete list of drinks is available by clicking the link above. Sunshine will tell you not to be afraid of their high proof drinks like Bender Ender and Wild Watusi. And, over at Rhum Bar you can find some Cuba and Florida inspired libations. Their zombie isn’t quite the traditional because it lacks the anise flavor, which for some is why the like this zombie so much. An ample selection of rum for mixing and sipping is also available at this bright and airy watering hole. Well, there is plenty more squeezed into this show. So listen for all the rest. Sunshine plays one of his favorite tunes at the end, Passage to Papeetee by Kahuna Kawentzmann. A true gem of a tune that takes you to the mystical island of your choice. Cheers and Mahalo.

Campari Kraken Cocktail

1.5 ounces Kraken Rum

.5 ounce Campari

2.5 ounces white grapefruit juice

.25 ounce fresh lemon juice

.5 ounce Orgeat

1 dash orange bitters (Angostura Orange bitters work best)

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with long curl of grapefruit peel. Now you will be able to see the future.

Spread us like VD!

ZTL 240 Hawaiian Bruschetta And Grapefruit Daiquiris

podcasts 1 Response »

Jan 232013

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (76.4MB)

It’s been a while since we invited a new host into the Zen Tiki Lounge. This week we are joined by Krista! A huge fan of tiki and pop culture herself, Krista fits right in here in the ZTL. Now Who’s ready for a cocktail? Try a simple grapefruit daiquiri. Sunshine and Krista sip this low calorie drink while Xavier Cugat and other great latin artists of the day. This week is full of tips for entertaining with less calories, both food and drink. You must try the Hawaiian Bruschetta paired with the Grapefruit Daiquiri. Simply magical together. And for the veggie lovers Krista has some tips on platters with dips that won’t break your waist. We’re also talking about reusing things around the bar, keeping that cocktail lifestyle as green as possible. Theres plenty more but my inebriated fingers are growing weak. Listen to the show for all the rest. Cheers!

Grapefruit Daiquiri with just 182 Calories

2 ounces white grapefruit juice

2 ounces light/amber rum (10 cane or Rhum Barbancourt)

1/4 ounce cinnamon infused syrup

Shake with ice and pour over crushed ice and sip away your cares.

Hawaiian Bruschetta just 40 calories per piece

1 pack Kings Hawaiian Rolls

3/4 cup chopped red onion

3/4 cup crushed pineapple

2 tsp butter

2 tablespoon dark brown sugar

Saute onion and pineapple with butter, adding sugar after onions have already gotten soft and translucent. Stir till sugar dissolves completely. Set aside. Slice rolls into three each, creating three thinner slices from each roll. Toast on a baking sheet in a 350 degree until corners start to brown, remove from oven. Top each piece with a teaspoon of sauté mixture. Garnish with chopped cilantro.

Spread us like VD!

ZTL 268 Tiki Cocktails For Euthanasia Memories

podcasts 3 Responses »

Jan 122013

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (72.9MB)

Welcome to the Zen Tiki Lounge, the Tiki Bar that lives in your head. Sunshine and Starshine are in the lounge sipping a very un tiki libation this week, the Bloody Mary. Sometimes your drink choice is the result of having lots of something on hand. Waste not want not. But we take the garnish up a few notches to make it feel a little over the top in the tiki bar. Music this week comes to us from the amazing Les Baxter and The Surfers. Sunshine was in a hurry to listen to all the albums he just converted from vinyl. Starshine reluctantly shares her story of holiday euthanasia. It pretty much is what you think but her story is almost nail biting. After doggy is put to rest……Sunshine gives us a good look at all the tiki weekend events that are coming over the next few months. There is lots to choose from on both sides of the US and we will give info on other events around the globe as details come in. In order of appearance:

Mojave Oasis: April 12-14,

Tiki Caliente: May 17-19,

The Hukilau: June 6-9,

Ohana: Luau by the Lake June 27-30 and

Tiki Oasis: Hulabilly August 15-19 Before the end of the show Starshine remembers

Huell Howser and the great work he did for California’s Gold. He will be missed.

Dont’ forget to grab the new book by our friend Everett Peacock. A story of needing escape and finding just the island to do it. Escape from Hanalei by Everett Peacock

Spread us like VD!

ZTL 267 The Tiki Gods Defy Mayan Apocalypse

podcasts 2 Responses »

Jan 052013

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (71.9MB)

Aloha and welcome to the Zen Tiki Lounge, the tiki bar that lives in your head. Sunshine, Starshine and Kalani sit at the bar for the first time this new year. Sunshine is very happy to now own a turntable and has converted some exotica albums for the podcast. This week we listen to Arthur Lyman’s Hawaiian Sunset and Martin Denny’s Quiet Village. Can’t go wrong with those two classic examples of great vintage exotica. Our cocktail this week was inspired by all the fresh citrus we have ripening in Southern California. Fresh grapefruit, limes and oranges combine with El Dorado 15, Plantation 5 and 10 Cane rums, a little homemade falernum and some brown sugar syrup. A zesty drink packed with vitamin C and exotic spices. Speaking of vinyl albums, Kalani brought in some more classics like Carmen Miranda, Hilo Hattie and Webley Edwards. Plenty to keep us relaxing on our bar stools during the next few podcasts. And if you ever wanted to hear the ladies sing you will love this episode. A stiff drink removes just enough inhibition for a spontaneous duet of Kokomo. Fun!

We are proud to say that our good friend Everett Peacock has just published another book! Escape from Hanalei will entice you to visit the islands and experience that relaxation and paradise that you have dreamed up. Listen to this episode to find out how you can get a copy in either paperback or kindle versions. That is if you want to participate in our little game. You can also get the book right now, click here!

The Unnamed Cocktail

1 ounce El Dorado 15

1 ounce Plantation 5

1 ounce 10 Cane

3 ounces fresh grapefruit, lime and orange juices, any proportion you like

1/2 ounce falernum, homemade is best

1/2 ounce brown sugar syrup

Add all to blender and pulse with 2 cups crushed or cracked ice. Pour into large tiki mug and enjoy a stiff cocktail packed with cold fighting vitamin C

Spread us like VD!

Older Entries Newer Entries