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 MoreThe 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.
Read MoreThe combination of Lychee, Maraschino and Passion liquors in this particular drink have become one of our house mixes that we use in multiple other concoctions including a Hemingway Daiquiri. Because every lemon and grapefruit is a little different, the key to this drink is following the recipe and then not hesitating to add more citrus if you feel its too sweet. After two of these you will find out what it feels like to have a leg you can’t control.
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 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 MoreEggnog can be a love or hate relationship. But Coquito is easier to love. This tropical version of an eggnog (eggs not even necessary) will likely become one of your favorite holiday traditions. Coconut, ginger, clove and rum make a tasty cordial enjoyed by many including vegans.
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 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 MoreLook out for the Sand Trap! This perfect for Summer blended cocktail is not your usual piñaesque blender tragedy. If you like a good cocktail but shy away from way to sweet blended concoctions, this is your frosty and boozy treat.
Read MoreWhen sailing the seven seas its customary to pick up a few items along the way. Stopping in Barbados you will want to grab a few grapefruit, an accidental cross breed between a sour orange and the pomelo. Along your journey someone grabbed a few coconuts and tossed them below deck for later. Upon arrival on Trinidad you come across the final ingredients needed to mix Bitter Harbor. Lemons and bitters round out this inviting drink that is both bitter and sweet with a sunny disposition.
Read MoreSweet, tart, creamy and balanced. Mother of Pearl is one of those rare cocktails that includes both butter and cream as well as a touch of honey. Dark rums and mezcal add the complexity you will notice but may not be able to pick out without reading the ingredient list.
Read MoreTry Cinnamon Passion Punch. A refreshing tropical punch with a little spice for complexity. This simple recipe combines champagne and Alize along with fresh juices and a homemade cinnamon syrup. Every ingredient is easy to find in most grocery stores. Make one batch for approximately 30 people if you have a light drinking crowd.
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 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 MoreInspiration for the next cocktail can come from anywhere. On a rather regular Friday, Sunshine Tiki came across a meme that sounded more like a frosty tropical drink vs. a political statement. Thinking "what would Juan Bahama be made of"? took just a few moments and the ingredients started to become obvious. A large banana, Jamaican rum, dark brown sugar and a dash of Chinese spices and chocolate bitters. Yeah, that sounds just about right.
Read MoreImagine yourself visiting a warm beach filled with sunshine and the sights and smells of paradise. Floral, herbal, fresh and sweet. Lychee Bay is a tiki drink that delivers a complex sipping experience that is surprisingly hard to let go. Sweet lychee and mango are balanced with grapefruit and Lemon Hart 151.
Read MoreSweet dark cherries with pineapple infused rum and homemade falernum are the highlights of the Cherry Bonzai. A potent cocktail that is uncomplicated with ingredients that should be fairly easy to come by. We believe that every home tiki bar should try infusing a small batch of falernum just once so that you can see and taste the amazing difference that nothing on the market can offer.
Read MoreAs the name may imply, you know you mixed this one correctly if its cloudy greenish blue in color. Don't be afraid of a quick paddle in the Murky Lagoon, just drink more for courage.
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