Longtime readers know my proclivity for big, bold, festively garnished tiki drinks served over buckets of crushed ice. There’s plenty of recipes here on CocktailWonk.com and in the Minimalist Tiki book which testify to that. However, simple, boozy libations over a single large cube in an old-fashioned glass are also in regular rotation here at... Continue Reading →
Quarantine Order: The Tiki Drink We Need Right Now
For some reason I can’t quite put my finger on, William Prestwood’s Quarantine Order recipe is garnering a lot of attention from tiki & tropical cocktail enthusiasts lately. William generously allowed us to use his recipe in our book, Minimalist Tiki. It’s one of a hundred or so original modern tike recipes in the book... Continue Reading →
Can You (Ever) Use Too Much Angostura Bitters?
“Hey Matt, I think I found a bug in your book,” began a recent message from my friend, Mike. ”The Trinidadi Issues recipes calls for 1.5 ounces of Angostura bitters...seems like that can’t be right (?)” I chuckled. Mike wasn’t the first person who’d messaged me about this recipe, certain they’d found a typo. If... Continue Reading →
Passion Grove Swizzle – A Summer Tiki Cooler
Early in my Tiki education, which at that point was primarily Beachbum Berry’s Sippin’ Safari and a scattering of blog posts, I learned a mantra: Always fresh squeeze your juice! It’s not so hard with lemons, limes, and oranges, but pineapples are always a challenge. They’re cumbersome and not easily juiced with normal kitchen gadgets.... Continue Reading →
The Reverend’s Tai – A Pineapple Twist on the Mai Tai
In recent years I’ve vociferously advocated for the purity and sanctity of the classic 1944 Mai Tai. This Victor (“Trader Vic”) Bergeron concoction is arguably the king of all Tiki drinks. Unfortunately, for some misguided souls, the Mai Tai is a catch-all term for whatever random collection of fruit juices, rums, and syrups are on... Continue Reading →
Jungle Doctor – The Jungle Bird Goes to Med School
As an avid Tiki-hound home bartender, I am always seeking out the next unusual recipe twist that gets me excited. And while Tiki draws from a very broad palette, there’s really only so many combinations of citrus, syrups, spices, and rum you can concoct before you’re essentially riffing on variations of the classics. (Not that... Continue Reading →