Zen Tiki Lounge Podcast

Dawn Marie commands you to win up Sunshines version of a Piña Colada, the Sunshine Colada. After that you are free to enjoy the podcast. This episode our listener mail asks: Is there a recommended maximum number of Zombies a responsible tiki enthusiast at an event. Is there an official rule about how many cocktails umbrellas you can put on one drink? What’s one item that instantly makes a backyard tiki area feel more tiki that people overlook? Upcoming Tiki Events and Happenings: You have heard all of us talk about missing Don the Beachcomber after it closed its only mainland location that was located in Huntington/Sunset Beach. Don’s Ohana Reunion 2 Dallas Tiki Week May 17 - 24, 2026. We have not attended this event but had a few listeners say it was fun last year. This is the second year of the event and the line up is intriguing. Its mostly intriguing because the website still has last years info but the instagram page is current. If you attend, consider recording a voice memo on your phone and sending to us at mail@zentikilounge.com. Be our unpaid intern correspondent. The Tiki Bar at Excalibur Easy Sailor Rochester NY

Full blog post coming….soon…we promise Tony’s on the pier Tiki Kai Beach Life Pagan Idol

AI Cocktail Recipes? Sure, why not? AI Overlords We try making a cocktail in a food processor. Mostly a fail. We learn that your drink has to be 66% alcohol to kill germs when sharing a bowl drink

Calwise orange, pineappel, falernum rums, orange, lemon, cinnamon syrup Discussed on this episode: Demerara rum is what happens when sugarcane grows up, gets sophisticated, and develops opinions. It comes from Guyana (chatgpt://generic-entity?number=0), specifically the fertile banks of the Demerara River (chatgpt://generic-entity?number=1). Historically, that region cranked out absurd amounts of sugar, which meant one obvious thing: serious rum. Dark, brooding, and absolutely not here to be mixed into something shy. What makes Demerara rum special (a.k.a. why it thinks it’s better than other rums):     •    Demerara sugar → deeper, molasses-heavy flavor before distillation even starts     •    Ancient wooden stills (yes, wood) → flavors you simply cannot fake     •    Big, unapologetic profile → burnt sugar, toffee, smoke, dried fruit, spice     •    Structure → it doesn’t disappear in cocktails; it dominates politely In modern times, most true Demerara rum comes from one distillery (Diamond Distillery, via El Dorado), because history consolidated and capitalism did its thing. The upside: the legacy is preserved. The downside: fewer weird unhinged experiments—though what survives is excellent. How it behaves in drinks     •    Makes Mai Tais stand up straight     •    Turns simple cocktails into lectures     •    Works beautifully in small doses, because it knows it’s intense Demerara rum is dark, rich, historically important, and mildly judgmental. It’s the rum equivalent of someone who casually mentions they summered somewhere formative—and somehow you’re okay with it.

The Polynesian threesome The Polynesian Threesome is our new cocktail this episode. Sunshine, Starshine and Kalani taste and review the drink plus make suggestions for perfecting the recipe. By the end of the first drink we arrived at this final recipe. After a lovely cocktail we take a deeper than usual dive into some listener mail. Derek from Long Beach finds out which forgotten cocktail we would bring back from the past. And Carla from Tempe gets our take on tiki bar accessories that should not be overlooked. The highlight of this episode is an interview with Mark Riddle, composer, musician, father, man of mystery. Mark (aka Marty Lush) is releasing a new album this May, but we got the first peak at a track from the upcoming album Dark Rituals. Just after the interview with Mark you can check out Blood Rites, a dark melodic tune that sets a perfect mood for poolside vibes or indoor dimly lit cocktail shenanigans. Listen to the full show to hear the interview and get some insight into the creative talents of Mark Riddle. And don’t miss his regular work on the Quiet Village Podcast, home of the best exotica with new and old artists each episode. But wait, there’s more. You can get Marks previous albums in his store at Digitiki.com As discussed on the podcast, Makenna Coffee is a small chain of coffee locations with a focus on Hawaiian style coffees and flavors and some rather interesting energy drinks, plus a fairly wide offering of food and snacks. Sunshine has been waiting to try it out and the line was finally short enough. I tried the white chocolate macadamia nut cold brew with Kona cloud topper. I was worried it would be too sweet, and it was not. Great balance of coffee and flavor. The white cream and peanut butter pup cup was also enjoyed…but by the dog. Are you in the Southern California area? Join us at the Rum Curious Summit February 21st in San Diego. We are not vending, we are guests just like can be. Try over a 100 rums, cocktails, food and more. If you see us, please say hi. Shots from the last Rum curious summit

Go back to December of 2006 when Sunshine and Pumpkin recorded our first Holiday episode of ZTL. The audio wasn’t as good back then, and Sunshine did some rough editing back in the day. For those of you who ask for those old episodes, here it is. Honestly, skip ahead to 25 minutes in when Pumpkin gets inebriated and the conversation gets good. Remember, everybody gets better over time, and we are no exception.

This flashback is originally from May, 2009.   It was just a matter of time till Sunshine entangled his love for Star Trek into the Zen Tiki Lounge.  Just back from seeing the new Star Trek movie, Sunshine has lots to say while Pumpkin is off on her usual tangents.  This entire episode was recorded from the bridge of the NCC1701. Fire up that food replicator, we are synthesizing cocktails as fast as we can drink them.  It's choose your own cocktail this week, much like the old series of books...choose wisely.  Another hot topic this week is very sweet.  Simple syrup isn't the only bar sweetner out there, try honey orange syrup, organic orgeat or maybe fresh made lime syrup.  All perfect for a Spring/Summer cocktail.  Make one, make them all.  Your guests will know you mean business with your booze.  We also give you a few more reasons to hate Oprah and Marth Stewart, perfect. An apology for all the unnecessary sound effects, but Pumpkin learned how to use the sound buttons. Listening to this episode all these years later makes it clear how far we have come. References to our myspace fans and the newness of twitter sounds nuts nowadays. Also out of date is our Las Vegas recommendations. Several of our top picks are long gone. Farwell to the Mirage volcano and Parasol Down to name a few.

What a fun episode do we have for you. While at Tiki Calienete, Neighbor Nicole met some new friends and they conspired to give her a makeover in the Zen Tiki Lounge. Hena Moon and The Isis of Tiki journeyed to ZTL to help Nicole add some color to her usual all black attire. But first…ZTL Mai Tais and some lovely snacks. The Isis of Tiki who is a personal chef brought amazing and tender beef skewers with sambal sauce and some vegan fried rice. Sunshine cooked his favorite appetizer, Hawaiian Bruschetta. Below is the transformation. Nicole started in her usual spandex black house attire. Over the next 90 minutes, The Isis of Tiki and Hena Moon lent their fabulous wardrobes to give Nicole more than a few new looks. Which is your favorite? Some shots in the lounge while recording this episode. Several cocktails later…well, you can listen to find out.

484 The Human Poo Poo Platter

On this episode of ZTL podcast you will hear Kalani say “Im just one colonoscopy away from being free of these pesky Dr’s visits”. Plus! We are sipping on a ZTL Mai Tai and catching up on the last few weeks of shenanigans. Plenty of listener mail, our own podcast listening recommendations, geriatric intercourse and so much more. Below our some of the pics from our recent visit to Hula Hula in Torrance, CA. Starshine had been telling us we need to try Hula Hula and we are glad we did. Listen to our review of this fun South Bay tiki bar. Great drinks, atmosphere and that wonderful dim lighting we all want to be surrounded by. Click for wristbands, and don’t dilly dally, the event is almost sold out as of 3/1/25 Listen to Science Friday Shag with a Twist opened in Las Vegas back in 2008 and has had limited engagements around the US since then. Get the music on itunes

Each year all of the ZTL hosts gather in the lounge for the annual holiday spectacular. Sunshine, Pumpkin, Starshine and Kalani are all here for some festive mirth and shenanigans. Sunshine mixes up the Coquito and a few of our favorite ZTL cocktails. We enjoy vegan snacks in honor of Pumpkin, Starshine reveals a dark secret and Kalani shares her chocolate balls. Follow the links below to try some of our favorite winter cocktails. Start by making Sushines’s Very Spicy rum and them move on down the list. Click the links and mix up any or all of these holiday libations: Coquito Better Buttered Rum Island Fruit Cake Dirty Christmas Punch Sunshines Very Spicy Rum There is not softer tiki t-shirt out there. We love tiki bar t-shirt club. The perfect gift

Sun Princess (november 2024) is currently the largest and most advanced ship in the princess fleet. shes pretty, and there is lots and lots to do. Did we mention the outstanding cocktail program? On a recent voyage around the Caribbean, Sunshine, The Husband and a few friends put a few minutes aside to record a podcast at sea. Sunshine is joined by Emmy award winning news personality (he really is a personality) Jordan Hogan. Some of our best shows come from little prep and lots of tangents. This episode may be one of those. We discuss: cruising (the ship kind you perv), cocktails, social anxiety at parties, certainly no politics ;), meeting people onboard, how to win an Emmy and much more. From top left to bottom right: A pair of Mrs. Ropers enjoying the casino on Sun Princess, Mrs. Roper needs to be ready at a moments notice, Magic Castle themed cocktail The Illusionist somehow is an espresso martini without the coffee color, the Magic Castle drink menu was ousting and only served inside Spellbound the speakeasy on Sun Princess, an array of Spellbound cocktails, we give an 8.5 to the nachos on Sun Princess, part of the LGBTQ meet up aboard ship, the casino where Sunshine spent most of his time. We all like a soft cotton t with a fun tiki bar story. check out tiki bar t-shirt club each month for a new shirt.

9north drinks and rum Circa Caliente Full details and pictures will be added shortly

Let’s start with the cocktail. On this episode we are drinking ABBAstract, a concoction we developed using 9north Rum. We highly recommend you mix this up at home. 9north is become more available, especially in the SoCal area. You can order from Chips Liquor, and their shipping prices are pretty decent. Mentioned on this episode are two places the ladies like to get their retro clothing. Kalani and Nicole recommend Unique Vintage and Retro Ruthie. If you need that perfect dress for the weekend, try Unique Vintage. For customers aloha shirts and skirts…Retro Ruthie. Also on this episode, a new tune from Mr. Moai and the Tikiheads, featuring both Mark Riddle and Kane Manakoora of The Manakooras to bring you, "Tahitian Twilight." As of this posting, there are just a few dozen wristbands left for Circa Caliente. This is the biggest, smallest tiki event in Palm Springs and the place to be this October. Click the image and get your tiki bar t-shirt club…we love them and we wear them!

Pumpkin is in the lounge with Sunshine and it’s Summer. That means blendy drinks! Our version of Missionaries Downfall stays pretty close to the classic, but switches out honey with agave syrup to make it vegan, and adds a bit more rum to punch it up a bit. Pumpkin sucked down two of these quickly in the first half of the show. This drink alone is reason enough to plant some mint in the Spring and Summer. You will gladly use it all. Sunshine and Pumpkin discuss candle tips part 2, why mojitos aren’t so great, the demise of The Mirage Las Vegas, Rhumbar says good bye, Aloha to the volcano, and other shenanigans. We don’t just promote them, we wear them. so soft and tikitastic

477 It Doesn't Feel Natural For Pumpkin, Cranking Their Knobs

Here in the lounge we talk about our favorite event on half of our podcasts. Well, its sold out as usual, BUT, you may still be able to attend. Are you a female between 37 and 50 years of age? Can you be at the event? Would like a wristband with one small harmless catch? Listen to this episode to find out how. We promise, no stranger danger. It’ll be fun and you get to be on the podcast. If you are attending Tiki Caliente 15, you won’t want to miss our annual room party. This year for the first time we will be the kick off party on Thursday night. Tiki Chance On Me smashes ABBA and Tiki together in ways we aren’t even sure how to explain. As always the drinks and music will be just what you need to start a wonderful TC weekend. Tiki Mirage, the moving tiki bar in the back of a truck. Starshine and the Surfing Samurai booked seats in Tiki Mirage and give a review of the bar in a truck. The decor, aroma and drinks were all highly recommended by both of them. Listen for their full review and more details. We hope to have some new rum friends here at ZTL. Sunshine is speaking with the team at 9 North Rum and hope to be sharing them with you at Tiki Caliente this May. Take a look at their info and follow the instagram page for all the details. 9 North offers an aged silver, dark spiced and an aged. We just got some bottles of the silver and spiced. The Blanca is a lovely sweet and auricle aroma with some nice fruit flavors and lightly sweet feel. The Especiado or spiced is not your usual holiday spiced rum. (I said that, not like mine at all) This spiced option is very smooth, a little overproof and a complex blend of not your mothers spiced rum. Its unique, floral and citrusy, maybe some chocolate…there’s a lot going on there. Listen to episode 476 for some tasting notes and a first ZTL cocktail made with 9 north rum. Soft! Tiki! Cleans up Mai Tai spills! You need tiki bar T-shirt club shirts. A new one each month. We wear them and swear by them. Click the image!

We always start with a beverage. Usually a spirited drink, but Starshine ask for a mocktail and we know better than upsetting her. The Insurrection was crafted just for dry January at Starshines request. This is one of our rare episodes with all four hosts present. Sunshine is doing his best to wrangle the cats and still share some tiki news and updates on new bars and events. The ladies were actually on their “better” behavior. Conversation includes: Dry January, soap making, a visit to the Lost Inferno, things you do only when in college, Pumpkins tips for staying youthful and thoughts about a tiki bar train tour in Southern California. On this episode we are happy to share the latest from Mr. Moai & The Tikiheads, listen at the end of the podcast. From their recent press release: The band has consistently delivered feel-good music that captures the essence of island life, and "Rongo Rongo" is no exception. Mark your calendars for January 18, 2024, as the band invites you to kick off the new year with the infectious rhythms and sunny melodies of their latest single. Kane Manakoora, also known as Jeremy DeHart, is a distinguished artist associated with The Manakooras (Hi-Tide Recordings), The Lords Of Atlantis (Tabu Recordings), and Charlotte, NC’s own Aqualads. With a stellar reputation in the music industry, Kane Manakoora brings his unparalleled talent on the steel guitar to collaborate with Mr. Moai & The Tikiheads on "Rongo Rongo," promising a sonic experience that transcends boundaries. We recommend their newest release Rongo Rongo feat. Kane Manakoora as well as their most recent album Surfotica. Use the link to download all of the tracks, just $8! What do we like most about Mr. Moai? Chill surf that feels good.

During the recording of this, our 473rd episode, Pumpkin acted like she didn’t know how we start the show. There is a way of doing things. We may not be very professional but we do have some “best practices”. After clearing up who says Aloha first we get right to the cocktail, our listener mail and some party planning and hosting tips. Thats pretty much the show. We stuck to the basics. Listen, drink, enjoy! Below are two of our time tested holiday cocktails. Every tiki bar has a few festive rum concoctions to keep us all merry and bright. Start with Xmas Helper to get everyone in the mood for wrapping presents and putting up the lights. Then put out Dirty Christmas Punch , one of our ZTL favorites during the holidays. Our record is 5 punchbowls at one event. Can you do more?

Starshine and Kalani and Pumpkin, Oh my! All the ladies are in the lounge for one of our rare all host podcasts. If you hear meowing cats its because Sunshine couldn’t edit out all the cross talk. Sorry. Sunshine and the ladies have some catching up to do including: Summer tomato tastings from our gardens (it turns dirty say you may assume), what scent is your tiki bar (it also turns dirty), and what event was I ate when I was found passed out in a stairwell. Classic. We are drinking a lovely Summer Missionaries Downfall. This classic tiki drink from Don the Beachcomber in the 1940’s. Our version simply adds more booze. Specifically more rum and a little more mint. Click HERE for our recipe! Below you will see clip from the hit toy of this years potty training crowd. Although I Gotta Go Flamingo isn’t new, it might as well be for these inebriated podcast hosts. Pumpkin came up with more synonyms for poop than you might imagine. If you have a potty trainer in your family you need Gotta Go Flamingo. Listener Bonus! Count how many scents the ladies describe in this episode. Send your answer to mail@zentikilounge.com and give us your answer. First person who is correct gets a pair of our signature rocks glasses. Or just buy them by clicking here… Have you heard of the Mrs. Roper Romp? We have! But what we didn’t know is that this awesome fun has been growing each year. If you live in the Mecca of San Diego you must join next year. Not in SD? Try staring a romp of your own. Or, just get your pals together in caftans and big wigs and hit the local tiki bar. Mrs. Roper is a true legend of TV. Its been a few months since the horrible fire the ravaged Maui and burned Lahaina to the ground. The island is special to all of us, but most of all it is home to thousands who have lost their home, their belongings and even their lives. You can’t make lite of something that has had such a huge impact on so many and our tiki community. There are may organizations you can donate to that make sure your contribution really helps people and doesn’t get trapped in charity red tape. While we don’t recommend a specific charity, we do recommend that you use Charity Navigator.org to see how well your money will be put to use before you donate. Please help however you can.