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!
Inspiration 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 MoreIf a California sunrise had a flavor, this would be it. Passion fruit and lemon juices complement the white wine aromas in Calivore Blonde Rum. A touch of California Orange Blossom Honey adds a unique sweetness and the scent of the little white blossoms that blanket golden state gardens throughout the year.
Read MoreWe receive a lot of requests for simple cocktails with just one exotic ingredient. Many people don't mind searching for one hard to find ingredient but prefer to keep it to just that one item. We can understand. The Puka Shell will impress with simplicity and an exotic touch. Made with Ōkolehao, the ancient Hawaiian spirit distilled from ti plant.
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 MoreWhat is a fruitcake? That question is harder and harder to answer as each generation comes into adulthood. Those of us in our 40's, 50's 60's and even more silver of generations know that it is a baked good of sometimes evil and sometimes joy. Dense. Heavy. Spiced. Fruity. What if a cocktail imparted only the better notions of said baked good? That is what My Tropical Fruitcake tries to be. Two parts spice and three part fruit is what makes My Tropical Fruitcake a miracle in mixology. Stirred together these liquors and spiced rum become something reminiscent of the forbidden cake of your darkest holiday dreams.
Read MoreThe Western diet has actually become so void of nutrition that incidences of scurvy have increased in the past several decades. Uh oh! No fear, we have the cocktail for you. The Scurvy Killer is packed with vitamin C and is enjoyable over and over. See your medical professionals help for dosing information before taking Scurvy Killer. LOL!
Read MoreWhen Winter ailments get to you its easy to turn to alternative methods of healing to find any relief. A person can only take so much stuffy nose, sore throat and aches and pains. Granny was never shy about putting a spot of rum or bourbon in some concoction that was said to soothe a pesky cold or just plain good on a cool day.
Read MoreRegardless of what troubles you in life this BIG drink is meant for warm days and nights. This is a base recipe drink, meaning you can interchange a few of the ingredients without messing it up and create your own personal favorite. Try replacing black tea with Earl Grey. Or change out the limoncello with mango or passion fruit rum. Maybe switch the brown sugar for agave or honey? Make this drink you own.
Read MoreEvery bar should have one or two drinks that walk away from their usual theme or clientele. Burnt Bourbon is about as far from a tiki dink as you can get while still pleasing folks who truly enjoy good spirits. An average bourbon and some smokey mezcal pair perfectly with pressed apple cider and cardamom. Serve this to impress your relatives at Thanksgiving or any holiday. Sip. Savor. Enjoy.
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.
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 MoreSomewhat sweet, and very sunny. Sao Paulo Sunrise feels and tastes warm and inviting. Enjoy this simple cocktail by the pool or beach. A great drink for pitchers and punch bowls. No one drinks just one. Invite your friends over and get the Bossa Nova going on the turntable.
Read MorePineapple Freesia is a lady drink that gentlemen prefer. A simple combination of coconut, lime, pineapple and macadamia nut flavors are the key to this superb and sensational sipping delight. Before or after dinner, poolside or in your favorite lounge. Pineapple Freesia won't let you escape the island pleasures you imagine all week long.
Read MoreTiki Italiano is a Summer sipper that pleases both the lover of sweet drinks and savory cocktails. Beware how easy this one goes down. The booze is covered up well enough that you may get into a little trouble if you aren't careful. Serve with meats, cheeses, crackers and savory tid bits. Yes! A tiki drink that pairs well with the snacks you would usually enjoy with wine.
Read MoreThis drink is an ode to the DICK that was sitting next to Sunshine at a local casino bar. You know, those guys who slap the buttons because they are sore losers. No one likes a mad, drunk, sore loser. And here is a drink that just about any bar should be able to make with the standard ingredients on hand. Drink two of these and your likely to have some stellar luck and maybe the guy next to you will go away. The Poker DICK!
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 MoreJoin us south of border for a tasty drink with a sleepy name. Mexican Xanax is sweet, smokey and intoxicating. Before settling in for a good nights rest we recommend stirring this up and sipping while you get in that last episode of Love Boat reruns or Fantasy Island. Theres no better way to relax.
Read MoreAfter long days and grueling nights of pushing cookies on the throngs of shoppers at the local grocery store, this is what moms across America should be drinking when they finally get home. Finally a cocktail that really does taste like a Samoa cookie, not too sweet and just boozy enough.
Read MoreWe all dream of a tropical destination that isn't on any map and no one remembers how they got there. You may try to recall the exact longitude and latitude but this was a once in a lifetime trip. Memories are your only take back. Except for the quintessential island libation you were greeted with. Go back to the warm sandy shores and pristine waters with the Forbidden Atoll drink in your hand. Mildly sweet coconut and pineapple juices shaken with three rums and a hint of the elixir that only the green fairy could capture.
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