Aloha and welcome to our series of quarantine podcasts. Like most human beings we are at home, some of us still working while others are not. Our desire to get together and enjoy a cocktail has not slowed but in fact become even more important. For all these reasons we will continue to host the ZTL podcast but do so in two forms. Sunshine will be hosting mostly music format shows that focus on playing some of his favorite exotic tunes and give the listener a chance to just sit back. Sunshine and...
Apr 21, 2020
Aloha and welcome to the Zen Tiki Lounge podcast. We are the dimly lit tiki bar that lives in your head. Listen to this episode for nothing more than great exotica for your quarantine enjoyment. Sunshine plays some of his favorite from master Arthur Lyman, the always mystifying Tikiyaki Orchestra and the incomparable Yma Sumac. Mix yourself that favorite cocktail, dim the lights and relax. Special appearances via phone by Starshine, Pumpkin and Kalani. Our friends at Tiki Bar T-Shirt Club have a...
Apr 05, 2020
As mentioned on this episode, this flashback to January 2008 includes some interesting inebriated thoughts from Pumpkin on bovine anatomy. 81 Hai Karate, not just a cheesy 70's cologne In strange times we do what we can to feel normal and keep moving forward. The Ladies of the lounge and Sunshine got together in the Zen Tiki Lounge for what may be our last fully hosted podcast for some time. Sunshine asked who was available for the show and was surprised that everyone and their husbands wanted t...
Mar 17, 2020
Sunshine has just returned from a trip to New Orleans and cruise to the western Caribbean. Kalani joins him in the lounge to go over a trip report which includes trying cocktail mixers from Pat O’Briens. Also on this episode: Brief review of Latitude 29 NOLA A visit to Tiki Tolteca, also in NOLA Reasons to AVOID Harrahs New Orleans Infomercial madness Below Left: Pat O’Briens courtyard was one of our favorite places to eat and drink in the French Quarter. Center: Hurricane and Mint Julep at Pat ...
Mar 08, 2020
WARNING!!! All four hosts are in the lounge for this episode of the podcast. Some listeners find it hard to listen through all the cat wrangling that happens when the whole crew is together. We won’t be offended if you skip this one. But for the hardcore fan…enjoy! Sunshine challenged the ladies to bring an appetizer with foods they already had on hand. Starshine brought lettuce wraps made with left over deli meats, pickles and cheese. Kalani brought fresh fruit and pita chips. Pumpkin looked in...
Feb 16, 2020
This episode originally posted July 2015. After realizing the drink mentioned on the show, The Ladies Man was never posted on our blot we have decided to push this one out again. Hope you enjoy this trip back to 2015. There is no reason we should deny that we are nursing a hangover. Kalani and Sunshine celebrated July 4th Independence Day with cocktails, BBQ and plenty of exploding objects. Starshine joined us for the festivities but was not available to record this episode of the podcast. To so...
Feb 08, 2020
Mentioned on this episode is the Remixed album by the Newton Brothers . If you haven’t tried exotica with a new twist this album may be just for you....
Feb 01, 2020
Starshine, Sunshine and Hibiscus are in the lounge for this episode of ZTL. The work week was nothing short of lame and all of us were ready for a fresh cocktail, easy exotica and some non intellectual conversation. Our new drink is called Jaded and was simply inspired by a gift of green Chartreuse. Chartreuse is an old spirit that has been gaining popularity and showing up on modern cocktail menus. Sunshine enjoys the vegetal qualities and challenged himself to put together a drink that include...
Jan 17, 2020
We are starting the new year with one of our most popular Zen Tiki Lounge drinks. The Scurvy Killer is tiki AF. Fresh citrus, rum, spice and bitters blend beautifully and please everyone. This is only one of two drinks that Kalani actually takes the time to make for herself at home. At past room parties we have served upwards of 1000 of these and will offer many more in the future. Simple ingredients mean anyone can mix this up at home. Try Scurvy Killer. Discussed on this episode is the recent ...
Jan 05, 2020
Aloooooooha! it was hard for us to believe that this was our 14th annual Holiday Spectacular. Sunshine, Pumpkin, Starshine and Kalani are in the Zen Tiki Lounge behind the microphone sharing some fun memories while sipping on a myriad of our favorite winter concoctions. Use the links below to get the recipes and mix things up for yourself. You will have to listen to the entire episode to hear the music, fun and ridiculousness. A highlight of this years show is our visit with Jeff Ballard who cre...
Dec 02, 2019
As we approach the full swing of the holiday season you will need a few cocktail recipes to show off with friends and family. One of our favorites is Island Fruitcake . Sunshine whipped this one up a few years back and it has been enjoyed by many. Via email we received some great feedback on this one including some variations on the recipe that podcast listeners have tried at home. We do encourage switching it up. What is a fruitcake? That question is harder and harder to answer as each generati...
Nov 17, 2019
Join Sunshine Tiki and Starshine Tiki in the Zen Tiki Lounge for a walk down Circa Caliente Room Crawl memory lane. Over the past 13 years we have recorded live at many events but have never shared our thoughts on each room on the crawl in sequential order. Until now! Below you will find the room crawl list, and some pictures from each room in the order they happened over the awesome Circa weekend. Don’t forget to try mixing up Demerara Tamarindo , the ZTL cocktail mentioned on this episode. Fre...
Nov 09, 2019
Make your own Falernum and Spice Rum. Thats the message in this episode of ZTL podcast. Just before heading off on an Alaskan cruise, Sunshine jumped behind the bar to record this quick little show. With fall approaching its a great time to spice some of your own rum and why not try making falernum at the same time. These two infusions are essential in tiki mixology and by making your own version you can assume more control over the flavor profile of your cocktails. Lets start with spiced rum. S...
Sep 21, 2019
At the beginning of this podcast episode Sunshine had a working drink in the shaker. Tamarind nectar was in good supply behind the bar as well as fresh limes and some well prices Demerara just picked up at the local liquor barn. The first taste was good however the ladies had some immediate feedback. Starshine wanted a little mezcal and tajin seasoning added. Then it needed a bit more pineapple rum to balance. Its good to have taste testers on hand to help perfect a drink recipe. As with most dr...
Aug 31, 2019
Sunshine here in the lounge solo for this episode. Conversation includes Tiki Oasis, Lost Spirits Distillery, home bar cocktail menus, and plenty of classic Exotica. Starting with our cocktail, the 1944 Trader Vic’s Mai Tai made with Rhum Clement, Kula Hawaiian Dark Rum, Liquid Alchemist Orgeat. Kula Dark Rum happened to be on sale and worth trying. Sunshine gives his opinions on the podcast with some detail on aroma, character and usability in cocktails. The Orgeat by Liquid Alchemist was also ...
Aug 10, 2019
It is mid July and time for a slushy cocktail that Pumpkin tends to demand this time of year. Bayou Swamp Slush is our newest drink created just for our original hostess. Mixing ripe citrus and satsuma infused rum with just a touch of coconut cream gives you a nice blended cruise ship style drink with more flavor and less sugar. While sipping our new frosty we dive into a host of subjects and listen to new music from The Modernes. New Music from The Modernes Vintage Betty Crocker party planning ...
Jul 19, 2019
Did we start with a cocktail in our dimly lit tiki bar? Yes, always! Listen to the podcast for the recipe and some ideas on mixing fun new ingredients anyone can find while on vacation visiting distilleries and other fun cocktail hot spots. With your cocktail ready its time to listen to IntoxiKA . Marty Lush on the Quiet Village podcast just released his latest episode and featured this band from Honolulu. Exotica is a genre that allows ample twists and turns over time. The guys from IntoxiKA ar...
Jun 20, 2019
WARNING! This LIVE episode includes an inebriated audience with sound levels that spike and adult language. ;) We always enjoy welcoming listeners, fans and friends into our hotel suite at the weekend tiki events. This episode was recorded at Tiki Caliente 11 and includes a visit by Noah from Ambros Banana Whiskey, listener Q&A and everyones favorite podcast gameshow “Whats in Kalani’s Bra?” Listen to the show for a quick taste of what its like being at a weekend long cocktail smorgasbord. S...
May 27, 2019
Some side effects of this podcast include dry mouth, lazy eye, permanent erection and death. Or maybe those are some of the more common potential issues with most of the medications you see on TV. We suggest mixing our custom coffee cocktail called Flamingo Swamp before you enjoy this episode of ZTL. Sunshine and Starshine LOVE their coffee and LOVE It even more when you add spirits. Listen for the recipe. Also on this show: hmmmmmm, just listen. Feeling lazy. Opium: As mentioned on this episode...
Apr 28, 2019
Rather than try and recall what we talked about on this episode of ZTL podcast, you really should listen. This will be our last episode before attending Tiki Caliente 9 , the yearly event in Palm Springs where we happily spend 3.5 days enjoying the company of old and new friends of our tiki community. We discuss how to plan a room party, how to mix 100 drinks at a time, tips for staying hydrated in the desert and a few other odds and ends. Mix a drink from our list of easy to build tiki drinks a...
Apr 26, 2019
Please join us on this episode of Zen Tiki Lounge podcast for the usual bar banter, drink recipes and friendly advice. Sunshine, Kalani and Starshine got together relatively last minute for an unplanned recording session. We discuss the out of control flavors of modern beverages, crafting new drinks with ingredients you want to blow through, old workplace shenanigans, are Costco spirits worth it?, sold out Tiki Caliente event, avoiding hangovers and so much more. And, listen to this episode for ...
Apr 08, 2019
There is plenty going on in our dimly lit tiki bar this episode of ZTL podcast. Sunshine and Pumpkin start with a fabulous vintage tiki drink from the 1940’s. Next we dive into the mail sack to catch up on a few items sent in from listeners. When it came time for a second drink Pumpkin brought a quick dice game that proved perfect for choosing our next spirit and all the mixers needed for something quite tasty. We also discuss a recent visit to Zombie Village in SF, Aero Club bar in San Diego, t...
Mar 25, 2019
Having good friends stop by the lounge is always a treat. On this episode Kalani and Sunshine are joined by Susan Nelson. Susan isn’t a podcast virgin. Sunshine challenged both Susan and Kalani to give gin another try. Pictured above is our version of a sling but with a bit of a tropical twist. Both ladies enjoyed the combination of fresh juices, gin and cachaça. The key to this cocktail is choosing a gin that is small batch and high on floral notes while allowing juniper and some of the usual b...
Mar 01, 2019
This episode is all Sunshine and music. Every now and then the Ladies of the lounge are busy but Sunshine wants to get behind the mic anyway. This is when you get a lot of exotica thrown at you for setting the mood in your dimly lit corner with cocktail in hand. No other notes needed. Just listen and enjoy the short conversation and songs from Tikiyaki Orchestra, Les Baxter, The Out-Islanders, Esquivel and The Crazed Mugs. For two years we have been telling you to try Tiki Bar T-Shirt Club . Eve...
Feb 04, 2019
In the history of ZTL podcast the ladies have never enjoyed an all spirit cocktail. Things change! Finally. Sunshine was inspired by a recent trip to the local booze barn and played with some new ingredients. The Smudge Pot is a sipping cocktail for those who really enjoy old fashioneds and Negronis. We started in on these before getting to the tiki mail and a rousing romp through subject matter that is more interesting while inebriated. Over the years we have talked about the Wreck Bar in Ft. L...
Jan 31, 2019
On this episode of ZTL podcast Sunshine, Starshine and Kalani try our latest cocktail creation, Mrs. Kravitz’ Daydream . Sunshine was inspired by the Bewitched character who was the frequent victim of witchcraft and a medaling mother in law. If Gladys was sipping this drink before peeping through her window it may explain a few things. Also on this show: Ice Made Clear is the latest ice making device that actually seems to make clear ice. A quick update on Tiki Caliente 11. Some anecdotal conver...
Jan 15, 2019
What a year, what a year. Sunshine, Kalani and Pumpkin (though she arrived late) are in the lounge sipping no less than two cocktails and some other odds and ends. Just listen and enjoy the show. No blog post. No new cocktail. Its all for your years and we love you! Ring in the new year with a shirt or an entire year of shirts from our friends at Tiki Bar T-Shirt Club. Click the pic and get yours today. Soft cotton feels good on your body....
Dec 31, 2018
You likely noticed the tikiesque holiday music at the beginning and end of this episode. Our good friends at Tiki Joe’s Ocean have two Christmas albums that are perfect for adding some island flair to your tiki shindigs this winter season. Just click the album cover above to get your copy. Sipped liberally during this episode of the podcast is our new Hot Buttered Rum recipe. If you have a vegan around you can leave out the butter batter and substitute with a teaspoon of sugar. Some of the best ...
Dec 14, 2018
It had only been a few days since recording our previous podcast. In order to get you another episode before the holidays jump on us we popped into the lounge for a quickie. Starshine, Sunshine and Kalani enjoy an easy to make drink that rings in the fall/winter season with the smoothness of cinnamon, vanilla and citrus. Mix Holiday Sunset and serve all season long. Discussion includes but is not limited to;") Inappropriate fun with cream cheese, things not to buy at a flea market, why Thanksgiv...
Nov 21, 2018
Can you forgive us? We took 6 weeks off since the last podcast, mostly due to scheduling conflicts. But, Sunshine has also been under the weather. On this episode Sunshine and Kalani are in the lounge sipping on two of our newest cocktail. Click here for recipes and make Seven Stars or Shattered Pony to enhance your enjoyment of this podcast. Above Left: Shattered Pony Above Right: Seven Stars Below are the new cocktail glasses and t-shirts that are now available in our online store . If you buy...
Nov 12, 2018
