Tiki Confessions

My first experience with the tiki culture was about four years ago when visiting Los Angeles. A friend of mine took me to Trader Vic’s to try out their famous Mai Tai’s. “Wow,” I thought as my mouth began to water from all delicious flavors. Sitting there drinking my Mai Tai, looking at all of the tiki décor and listening to the Hawaiian music made me conjure up images of laying on a deserted beach with palms trees swaying in the wind. “What was in this drink?” I thought as I kept on day dreaming with no cares in the world. Was it something magical that made all your worries go away? Was there something in it that made you immediately think of beaches, palms trees, and seeing hula girls dancing? Or was it Trader Vic’s atmosphere that made you leave all your worries at the door?

From then on I was hooked even traveling to Singapore for the famous Singapore Sling. Sitting at the Raffles Hotel sipping on my Singapore Sling immediately transported me back to colonial opulence, circa 1890. Lounging in the oversized chairs with the ceiling fans giving off the only breeze and my Singapore Sling keeping me cool with each sip.

Now I live in the Los Angeles area, Malibu. Since moving here I have a new favorite Hawaiian bar, Dukes. Not only does it have the best hamburger in the world but it has my favorite drink, Bahama Mama. I’ve always had a bit of a sweet tooth when it comes to drinks, which is why I think I feel in love with the tiki drinks so much. There is a drink for every taste bud. Plus they look so delicious and their names are so enticing how could you not want one. Just walking into a tiki bar and looking at the crazy and interesting names on the menu, makes you want to try one immediately or more than one. These drinks are meant to be noticed with their inventive names, tiny umbrellas, flames and/or tacky tiki mugs.

For those of you who have never tried a tiki drink, are new to the tiki scene, or do not live near a Trader Vic’s and want to try the famous Mai Tai that got me hooked, here’s the recipe:

The Original Mai Tai

This world famous drink was developed by Trader Vic at the original Oakland, California restaurant in 1944. The rum that motivated the creation of the Mai Tai was a fine, golden, medium-bodied Jamaican from Kingston. Trader Vic added fresh lime juice, flavored and sweetened with Orange Curacao from Holland and French Orgeat with its subtle flavor of Almond.

The drink chilled nicely with a considerable amount of shaved ice so a large 15-ounce glass was selected to compliment the cooling and generous quality of the Mai Tai.

2 ounces 15-year old J. Wray Nephew Jamaican Rum
1/2 ounce French Garnier Orgeat
1/2 ounce Holland DeKuyper Orange Curacao
1/4 ounce Rock Candy Syrup
Juice from one fresh lime

Hand shake and garnish with half of the lime shell and float a sprig of fresh mint at the edge of the glass. http://www.tradervicspaloalto.com/maitai/index.html

Visit my website at http://www.siennasinclaire.com/glamour/user/pinup.php?pkid=12&#topic to visit my tiki links, events, clothing, bars, and hear my favorite tiki songs.