When I first started making tiki cocktails I was told to pick on drink and get the ingredients for that then pick another and so on. Trying to buy lots of different rums to make anything is a quick way to go broke. 🤣
That's what I did too! I went through the SC book and was like "okay what ingredients can I buy that will open up the most drinks" and bought those first, then started buying things that were only used in a couple drinks a bottle or two at a time. It was a good way to slowly build up my collection of more specialty ingredients without going broke.
barry has his tiki drink app. which helps! you can either set your "bar stock" with what you have then it will find drinks you can make, or plug in a few ingredients and it will go from there.
Great video, Spike! For those of you who may not live near a Sonic; Chic-fil-A will sell you a 5 lb bag of pebble ice for less than $2!
Great point. The benefit of Chick-fil-A ice is that the bag is half the size of the Sonic bag so it fits easier in a full freezer. The only drawback is that they are larger ice pieces than Sonic.
Tip from a bartender who worked in Japan... dont press your limes and lemons too hard. its better to leave some juice than get piff flavor in your juice.
Totes agreed about the fruit and mint comments. I moved to socal about seven years ago and bought/planted citrus trees before even buying furniture. Makes cocktailing so fun when you can get your produce right outside your back door. And agreed about the mint. Such a great garnish! But it’s as invasive as an old Billy goat. So keep it in a pot for sure.
I learned a lot about rum from Martin’s SC book and I learned a lot about tiki and it’s history from Jeff’s 10th Anniversary version of Sippin’ Safari. I would say those two books would be the best foundation for someone just getting into tropical cocktails.
I totally agree. I thought that Sippin' Safari was a little too inside baseball for someone just starting out. An incredible book though!!
Oh man, seeing the water pour down on your bar was hard to watch. I hope nothing got damaged! As for the rest of the show, great stuff as always!!
I did sound for the tornados
On the note of ice, I would recommend that a canvas Lewis bag and a wooden mallet make for an affordable and relatively easy method of turning ice cubes into crushed ice.
I did think the thunder was a special effect until the lights went out.
Hot tip! Chick-fil-A also sells pebble ice, for anyone else in LA who doesn't have a Sonic around them 😁👍
The good ice.
The power😅...love it and the information
Proud of how far you’ve come man! I met you a few weeks ago at the Anaheim Packing House with my girlfriend, and it was super cool meeting you in person. You are such a rad dude on the show and even cooler in person! I still owe you that drink some day at Strong Water! Cheers! 🍻
Oh wow! Cool to hear from ya, Justin! It was great meeting you guys.
Really love that you start the video with the stylish video instead of at the end
I don't need no stinking gear driven fruit juicer! LOL! Fantastic video Brother-Spike!
Love the show! Very informative. I've been a Tiki enthusiast for around 5-6 years following my initial interest in Scotch and beer. My gateway to Tiki was Martin Cate's "Smuggler's Cove" but was first exposed to Tiki Culture as a kid in Hawaii in 1967 when visiting my aunt and uncle who bought me my first Mai Tai at the Royal Hawaiian. I had the opportunity to visit places such as the original International Marketplace, which was created by Donn Beach where he also had a treehouse as his HQ. All of this made an impression and years later, my interest in Tiki was reawakened when I read Martin Cate's book.
Yeah, Martin's book really is great. I was also able to visit the International Marketplace before they destroyed it.
I've got the exact same mixer
Mint doesn’t grown deep roots.. it spreads. So keep it out of your yard
It’s a very thirsty plants.
Made the #12 spot! Sweet!🤙
Does anybody remember tiny, brightly colored little plastic animals that would hang from the edge of a cocktail glass? I remember elephant, lion, giraffe and monkey. I remember collecting them from my folks when we went to dinner.
Good times, great friends, exotic drinks👌🍹
Thank you so much...get the roof fixed!!
Great info!
Great list. Fun stuff!
Your episodes are a continued inspiration for me! Keep up such great esthetics!
This video is so fun with the storm!
No. 16: A graven image of Lono or A'Oa'A to watch over the bar.
Great informational video!
Thanks for the video, dude!
Thankz Spike...
What a great informative video! Thanks Spike
Spike, I loved the video! I’m new to even the idea of tiki and your channel has been a great find for me. Used info from you to plan my first tiki gathering - a Mai Tai party!
Love the new style intro. Gotta get that Smugglers Cove book and can’t wait to get your Tiki mug in the next few weeks.
Great video! Love all the work you put into these. Very informative and entertaining. Keep it up!
Great video, i just am finishing minimalist tiki now and this video is coming out at a great time.
I’m using the OXO jiggers for measuring. They have big “steps” for the measurements so it’s easy to see in your dark bar vs. the sexy Japanese jigger. OXO must have changed the design of the measuring cup, the markings on mine are just etched and not black. My bar is pretty dark and I can’t see them. It is good to juice limes into however and then measure with a jigger.
I am missing number 9 damn I need a mixer. Thanks for the great series. Can’t wait to see what 2022 will bring on the the cocktail hour.
Great video, very informative! I have most of what you covered but I will be adding the Hamilton rums to my inventory.
That opening !
Thanks!
Nice work as always fine sir!
Great video. Really enjoying getting into thia hobby.
Fabulous show and information packed!! Thank you so much. So useful and helpful!! On a funny note I have had to have bamboo removed and yup, mint takes off!! Lol!! Cheers!! :-)
Loved this one as per usual. Felt kind of nice to know my home tiki bar has a good majority of the items listed. A good majority I got from watching your videos and picking up tools you’ve used. I of course had to get the few things I didn’t have 😂 just stinks I can’t seem to locate Hamilton Rum on the East Coast 🤔
Thanks for the wonderful content. Can't wait to see "huzzah" pinapalmer "huzzah" and sugar pepper Jones "woohoo" back on again. Would also love to see and hear Candice cane sing with the hulagirls. 🎸
we love tiki bars
That ice machine would be awesome, but I got a Lewis bag to smash mine up. Works for me.
I have a Myer lemon tree thats growing in a container as I live in a cold winter climate and need to carry it indoors. The best lemons just not too many.
Get a miniature Meyer Lemon tree. We have one in a decent size pot. Still let plenty of lemons.
You need to moonlight as an Adam Sandler impersonator. Cool video btw, I feel inspired
Happy New year spike, I just got back from a 2 week trip to India and as weard as it might sound all I want to do is just immerse myself in all things Americana right now.
If getting a new top down mixer, I suggest getting the Hamilton Beach Drinkmaster model 65120. It has an all metal spindle and blades. I bought a 727 and the ice broke the plastic blade spindle. The 65120 is pricey, I bought mine from Amazon for $100, but I haven't had any trouble since. Great show Spike, love the Breezeway.
Great video!
Have Megan and I over and I'll bring my Kono Hawaii and Latitude 20 bucket mugs to drink from.
Brilliant show, I have to get some squeezer’s and see if any pinup models turn up.
Firstly, love the Smugglers Cove book. So educational and such a fun book to read. Secondly, sooo bummed I missed you guys in Morro Bay. Already had tickets for James Intveld at the High Roller Tiki Lounge in Solvang. Any word on coming back up to my neck of the woods for another Hula Girls concert?
Unless they bring us back next year, we don't have any plans to tour. I bet that Intveld show at the High Roller was great!
Finally got to this….would have been soooo helpful 2 years ago! Glad you did this! Now take on the controversial “what is tiki decor?!”
You forgot the most important thing! Your Skipper cap! I want a link where I can get one!!!
Looking forward to getting my Breezeway tiki mug! Do you have any updates for when they will ship?
You forgot a very important thing: a bitchin' tiki bar! Great video, Spike! Happy New Year!
dude, love that shirt! where'd you get it???
G'day Spike. WHEN are you going to fix that roof?
I recommend growing mint in a pot as it is literally a weed and spreads like one.
Personally, I love mint so I just let it take over my yard, but if you want anything else to grow in your garden, keep your mint in a pot.
That's more than just a leak. That roof needs some serious attention.
Great list Spike!! Quick question, what kind of watch do you wear? I love the look of it!
#16: a roof ;)
What do you use to hold the umbrellas?
Hello! Where can I find the rum pit fire bowl?
I like Hamilton rum but I'm not always sure what it has been curated for. Is there an easy source where he lists what he made each for?
Is it 15 different rums?
Do you know if you can get replacement parts for the Hamilton Beach mixer? My mom has one of those sitting in her garage unused, but the metal part that goes down into the drink is pretty rusted. Would love to be able to use it!
Can you give recommendation to a good tiki bar in Las Vegas, I'll be going in march for training for work. I'll be by the strip.
Frankies Tiki bar and the Golden Tiki are excellent, although they are off the strip. I’m going to both during my trip in April
I love Frankie's, but after making a bunch of truly authentic tiki drinks, I can say their drinks are designed to get you drunk, so be mindful of that. Because of that they aren't too tasty. But I would still go in a heartbeat
That storm... what did you do to displease the Tiki Gods?
Maybe it was recommending a tiki book with a pirate name? "Smuggler's Cove" ...hrmmmm?
I don't trust Google fi
I love going thrifting looking for glasses and mugs