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.
Three hosts in the lounge for this episode of ZTL. Our drink is not one of our originals but comes from the Total Tiki app by Beachbum Berry. If you had only one app filled with tiki drinks, details instructions, history and an ingredient database...this is the one you want. Best Year was chosen as our drink because Sunshine vowed to try new things.
Read MoreSunshine has just returned from a Caribbean cruise and with him is a bit of cocktail inspiration direct from Grand Cayman. While cruising there is ample opportunity to try spirits from the regions you visit and bring some of what you like most back home with you. Below left is Swanky, the somewhat official drink of Grand Cayman. It's a simple lemon/limeade style drink with rum that is made many different ways across the islands. Our version Extra Swanky builds on the classic and adds a small amount of complimentary flavors. Below right is a recommendation for wake up each day while onboard a ship with a balcony room. Likely you have chosen the all you can drink package while sailing. Each night before bed, bring glasses of champagne back to your room and leave in your refrigerator. In the morning, mix your champagne with the complimentary breakfast room service which often includes your choice of juices and fresh fruit. Wake up to fresh fruit mimosas with a new view every day.
Our friend Jimmy Gunn (aka Psycho) has just released a new lounge album. Mosh Pits & Mai This, The Ultimate Punk Rock Lounge Party continues the Jimmy Psycho Experiment. Favorites like Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Ruby Soho and I Wanna Be Sedated are some of our favorite tracks from the album. If you enjoy contemporary classic punk like we do, you will enjoy lounge versions of these tunes you will be singing along to. Listen to this episode to hear these plus a few more. Jimmy has been playing lounges and tiki bars in the LA area since 2012, those of us at ZTL podcast have seen the live act several times and can't recommend enough the experience. Although Jimmy has recently moved eastward across the country it wouldn't hurt to keep track of him via social media just in case a show is nearby your locale. Buy this album and others here!
Holy mermaids batman! While in Fort Lauderdale Sunshine and the husband bounced into MeduSirena our favorite fire eating mermaid. Marina was nice enough to spend a little time in the water showing Sunshine how to stay down below and get a peak inside the Wreck Bar where she performs along with her well trained pod of sirens. The Wreck Bar is a vintage watering hole located within the B Ocean Resort on Fort Lauderdales famous beach. If you want to see Marina and the ladies, be sure to check the hotel site first to make sure you are visiting on an evening performance will occur. Also in Fort Lauderdale is the world famous Mai Kai restaurant and dinner show. With over 50 classic tiki drinks, dimly lit bar, tropical gardens, dinner show and fabulous service, you don't want to miss the Mai Kai. Listen to the podcast for a brief description of our most recent visit.
Tiki Caliente is coming!!! This event will sell out early and is no celebrating 10 years. The crew of the ZTL podcast will not only be attending but also hosting one of our fun room parties and tossing in a few surprises.
If you aren't wearing a t-shirt from the club, what are you wearing? We love Tiki Bar T-Shirt Club. Soft cotton t's with a new tiki bar design each and every month. Get a subscription and have a new shirt delivered each month, or grab just the one you like with no commitment.
WARNING!!! All three Ladies of the lounge appear in this episode. Let the cat wrangling begin.
We begin with a cocktail as always. Pumpkin is surprise to find the Yellowbird in the cocktail shaker. Her favorite cocktail she discovered on a cruise many years ago.
Read MoreOn this episode we share the winners of the Circa Caliente room crawl. 14 rooms joined the crawl and participated in the inaugural year. Below are the winners of Best Drink, Best Decor and Best Overall Room. To all who participated we send a huge Mahalo for your hard work and dedication to such a fun event. Without all of our hosts the event would be 14 cocktails less fun. Cheers!
Read MoreIf you haven't had the fortune to experience Halloween in a great tiki bar...we recommend you do. The world of tiki lends itself very well to the dark holiday both sounds and tastes. This episode was quickly put together so that you you can experience a little tiki bar Halloween from anywhere you may be. Sunshine is solo in the Zen Tiki Lounge playing over a dozen exotica tracks that make you wonder what really does go bump in the night. If you need some quick cocktail ideas for your own spooky get together try one of ours below. Most of all, we hope you have a grim holiday shared with friends or family.
Read MoreOn a recent trip home from Alaska we stopped in Seattle and ran into a few distilleries we had not visited before. Just across from the Chateau St. Michelle winery are a handful of distilleries worth visiting. If you like rum and we know you do there are several places of mention that you may not want to miss. Also on this show, Sunshine shares his Nana's family pasta recipe and a Circa Caliente update.
Read MoreAfter months of schedule planning we finally made it to the Tacki Tiki home of Tiki Trail. Jeff and Vicki welcomed us into their home tiki bar for cocktails, wonderful food and a great time. The Tacki Tiki is the home bar of Jeff and Vicki Ballard, many years in the making and full of kitsch and shared memories. Like many home bars each corner is filled with items collected from travels and personal interests. When you listen to to the podcast you will hear us talk about some of the significance of the various pieces of decor in the bar.
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.
