Zen Tiki Lounge

<p class="">Dawn Marie commands you to win up Sunshines version of a Piña Colada, the <a href="https://www.zentikilounge.com/drinks/sunshine-colada">Sunshine Colada.</a> After that you are free to enjoy the podcast. </p><p class="">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?</p><p data-rte-preserve-empty="true" class=""></p> <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > <img data-stretch="false" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/3b5db590-58cc-4a0d-831f-d931eb310e5d/IMG_0021.JPG" data-image-dimensions="4000x4000" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="" data-load="false" elementtiming="system-image-block" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/3b5db590-58cc-4a0d-831f-d931eb310e5d/IMG_0021.JPG?format=1000w" width="4000" height="4000" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, 100vw" onload="this.classList.add(&quot;loaded&quot;)" srcset="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/3b5db590-58cc-4a0d-831f-d931eb310e5d/IMG_0021.JPG?format=100w 100w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/3b5db590-58cc-4a0d-831f-d931eb310e5d/IMG_0021.JPG?format=300w 300w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/3b5db590-58cc-4a0d-831f-d931eb310e5d/IMG_0021.JPG?format=500w 500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/3b5db590-58cc-4a0d-831f-d931eb310e5d/IMG_0021.JPG?format=750w 750w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/3b5db590-58cc-4a0d-831f-d931eb310e5d/IMG_0021.JPG?format=1000w 1000w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/3b5db590-58cc-4a0d-831f-d931eb310e5d/IMG_0021.JPG?format=1500w 1500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/3b5db590-58cc-4a0d-831f-d931eb310e5d/IMG_0021.JPG?format=2500w 2500w" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-loader="sqs"> </figure> <p class="">Upcoming Tiki Events and Happenings:</p><p class="">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. <a href="https://www.stellarshows.net/shows/359753">Don’s Ohana Reunion 2</a> </p> <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > <img data-stretch="false" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/ab99d778-f18b-45c9-8a15-3511537573ba/Screenshot+2026-04-11+at+1.28.28%E2%80%AFPM.png" data-image-dimensions="966x1206" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="" data-load="false" elementtiming="system-image-block" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/ab99d778-f18b-45c9-8a15-3511537573ba/Screenshot+2026-04-11+at+1.28.28%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=1000w" width="966" height="1206" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, 100vw" onload="this.classList.add(&quot;loaded&quot;)" srcset="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/ab99d778-f18b-45c9-8a15-3511537573ba/Screenshot+2026-04-11+at+1.28.28%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=100w 100w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/ab99d778-f18b-45c9-8a15-3511537573ba/Screenshot+2026-04-11+at+1.28.28%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=300w 300w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/ab99d778-f18b-45c9-8a15-3511537573ba/Screenshot+2026-04-11+at+1.28.28%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=500w 500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/ab99d778-f18b-45c9-8a15-3511537573ba/Screenshot+2026-04-11+at+1.28.28%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=750w 750w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/ab99d778-f18b-45c9-8a15-3511537573ba/Screenshot+2026-04-11+at+1.28.28%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=1000w 1000w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/ab99d778-f18b-45c9-8a15-3511537573ba/Screenshot+2026-04-11+at+1.28.28%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=1500w 1500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/ab99d778-f18b-45c9-8a15-3511537573ba/Screenshot+2026-04-11+at+1.28.28%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=2500w 2500w" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-loader="sqs"> </figure> <p class="">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 [email protected]. Be our unpaid intern correspondent. </p> <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > <img data-stretch="false" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/dcf4d047-c885-4f3b-980e-7293acfb6305/Screenshot+2026-04-11+at+1.36.21%E2%80%AFPM.png" data-image-dimensions="1720x1250" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="" data-load="false" elementtiming="system-image-block" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/dcf4d047-c885-4f3b-980e-7293acfb6305/Screenshot+2026-04-11+at+1.36.21%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=1000w" width="1720" height="1250" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, 100vw" onload="this.classList.add(&quot;loaded&quot;)" srcset="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/dcf4d047-c885-4f3b-980e-7293acfb6305/Screenshot+2026-04-11+at+1.36.21%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=100w 100w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/dcf4d047-c885-4f3b-980e-7293acfb6305/Screenshot+2026-04-11+at+1.36.21%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=300w 300w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/dcf4d047-c885-4f3b-980e-7293acfb6305/Screenshot+2026-04-11+at+1.36.21%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=500w 500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/dcf4d047-c885-4f3b-980e-7293acfb6305/Screenshot+2026-04-11+at+1.36.21%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=750w 750w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/dcf4d047-c885-4f3b-980e-7293acfb6305/Screenshot+2026-04-11+at+1.36.21%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=1000w 1000w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/dcf4d047-c885-4f3b-980e-7293acfb6305/Screenshot+2026-04-11+at+1.36.21%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=1500w 1500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/dcf4d047-c885-4f3b-980e-7293acfb6305/Screenshot+2026-04-11+at+1.36.21%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=2500w 2500w" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-loader="sqs"> </figure> <p class=""><a href="https://excalibur.mgmresorts.com/en/nightlife/tiki-bar.html">The Tiki Bar at Excalibur</a></p> <a role="presentation" aria-label="" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > <img class="thumb-image" elementtiming="system-gallery-block-grid" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/1776139683855-RJ1VWQ33AY2Q1FJUCWL4/Screenshot+2026-04-13+at+9.07.36%E2%80%AFPM.png" data-image-dimensions="1252x934" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="Screenshot 2026-04-13 at 9.07.36 PM.png" data-load="false" data-image-id="69ddbd9f66dba2673c4047eb" data-type="image" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/1776139683855-RJ1VWQ33AY2Q1FJUCWL4/Screenshot+2026-04-13+at+9.07.36%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=1000w" /><br> </a> <a role="presentation" aria-label="" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > <img class="thumb-image" elementtiming="system-gallery-block-grid" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/1776139683201-MRHCSFUD1NV8RNMQK20G/Screenshot+2026-04-13+at+9.07.24%E2%80%AFPM.png" data-image-dimensions="1026x654" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="Screenshot 2026-04-13 at 9.07.24 PM.png" data-load="false" data-image-id="69ddbda0e470e07e3586ebfa" data-type="image" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/1776139683201-MRHCSFUD1NV8RNMQK20G/Screenshot+2026-04-13+at+9.07.24%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=1000w" /><br> </a> <a role="presentation" aria-label="" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > <img class="thumb-image" elementtiming="system-gallery-block-grid" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/1776139688681-FBJETZABYYBTORSGSXNW/Screenshot+2026-04-13+at+9.06.38%E2%80%AFPM.png" data-image-dimensions="1910x1192" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="Screenshot 2026-04-13 at 9.06.38 PM.png" data-load="false" data-image-id="69ddbda47b79a7269e703e00" data-type="image" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/1776139688681-FBJETZABYYBTORSGSXNW/Screenshot+2026-04-13+at+9.06.38%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=1000w" /><br> </a> <p class=""><a href="https://www.easysailortiki.com">Easy Sailor Rochester NY</a></p> <a role="presentation" aria-label="" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > <img class="thumb-image" elementtiming="system-gallery-block-grid" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/1776139984335-7FKJAQQ59CC08V9ZZY17/Screenshot+2026-04-13+at+9.11.35%E2%80%AFPM.png" data-image-dimensions="1386x1622" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="Screenshot 2026-04-13 at 9.11.35 PM.png" data-load="false" data-image-id="69ddbec8e0cd885d076382d4" data-type="image" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/1776139984335-7FKJAQQ59CC08V9ZZY17/Screenshot+2026-04-13+at+9.11.35%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=1000w" /><br> </a> <a role="presentation" aria-label="" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > <img class="thumb-image" elementtiming="system-gallery-block-grid" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/1776139983663-7YMTRWDVLX6LJG7C6SC2/Screenshot+2026-04-13+at+9.11.15%E2%80%AFPM.png" data-image-dimensions="1392x1118" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="Screenshot 2026-04-13 at 9.11.15 PM.png" data-load="false" data-image-id="69ddbec8a5426703e2ae39fd" data-type="image" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/1776139983663-7YMTRWDVLX6LJG7C6SC2/Screenshot+2026-04-13+at+9.11.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=1000w" /><br> </a> <a role="presentation" aria-label="" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > <img class="thumb-image" elementtiming="system-gallery-block-grid" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/1776139988618-Q6YSQIUKRLXTE8Z6NY8J/Screenshot+2026-04-13+at+9.10.54%E2%80%AFPM.png" data-image-dimensions="1210x1356" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="Screenshot 2026-04-13 at 9.10.54 PM.png" data-load="false" data-image-id="69ddbed0e0cd885d07638304" data-type="image" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/1776139988618-Q6YSQIUKRLXTE8Z6NY8J/Screenshot+2026-04-13+at+9.10.54%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=1000w" /><br> </a>

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

<figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > <img data-stretch="false" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/be0dca19-a49f-4c17-8bbd-5728a3a1872e/C9922B20-3F71-4E29-BF8E-D8E1D978E6B3.PNG" data-image-dimensions="1536x1024" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="" data-load="false" elementtiming="system-image-block" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/be0dca19-a49f-4c17-8bbd-5728a3a1872e/C9922B20-3F71-4E29-BF8E-D8E1D978E6B3.PNG?format=1000w" width="1536" height="1024" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, 100vw" onload="this.classList.add(&quot;loaded&quot;)" srcset="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/be0dca19-a49f-4c17-8bbd-5728a3a1872e/C9922B20-3F71-4E29-BF8E-D8E1D978E6B3.PNG?format=100w 100w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/be0dca19-a49f-4c17-8bbd-5728a3a1872e/C9922B20-3F71-4E29-BF8E-D8E1D978E6B3.PNG?format=300w 300w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/be0dca19-a49f-4c17-8bbd-5728a3a1872e/C9922B20-3F71-4E29-BF8E-D8E1D978E6B3.PNG?format=500w 500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/be0dca19-a49f-4c17-8bbd-5728a3a1872e/C9922B20-3F71-4E29-BF8E-D8E1D978E6B3.PNG?format=750w 750w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/be0dca19-a49f-4c17-8bbd-5728a3a1872e/C9922B20-3F71-4E29-BF8E-D8E1D978E6B3.PNG?format=1000w 1000w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/be0dca19-a49f-4c17-8bbd-5728a3a1872e/C9922B20-3F71-4E29-BF8E-D8E1D978E6B3.PNG?format=1500w 1500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/be0dca19-a49f-4c17-8bbd-5728a3a1872e/C9922B20-3F71-4E29-BF8E-D8E1D978E6B3.PNG?format=2500w 2500w" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-loader="sqs"> </figure> <p class="">AI Cocktail Recipes? Sure, why not? </p><p class="">AI Overlords</p><p class="">We try making a cocktail in a food processor. Mostly a fail. </p><p class="">We learn that your drink has to be 66% alcohol to kill germs when sharing a bowl drink</p> <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > <img data-stretch="false" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/38a44212-916f-498f-9371-c8472367d071/Screenshot+2026-03-13+at+2.37.20%E2%80%AFPM.png" data-image-dimensions="708x500" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="" data-load="false" elementtiming="system-image-block" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/38a44212-916f-498f-9371-c8472367d071/Screenshot+2026-03-13+at+2.37.20%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=1000w" width="708" height="500" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, 100vw" onload="this.classList.add(&quot;loaded&quot;)" srcset="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/38a44212-916f-498f-9371-c8472367d071/Screenshot+2026-03-13+at+2.37.20%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=100w 100w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/38a44212-916f-498f-9371-c8472367d071/Screenshot+2026-03-13+at+2.37.20%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=300w 300w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/38a44212-916f-498f-9371-c8472367d071/Screenshot+2026-03-13+at+2.37.20%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=500w 500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/38a44212-916f-498f-9371-c8472367d071/Screenshot+2026-03-13+at+2.37.20%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=750w 750w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/38a44212-916f-498f-9371-c8472367d071/Screenshot+2026-03-13+at+2.37.20%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=1000w 1000w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/38a44212-916f-498f-9371-c8472367d071/Screenshot+2026-03-13+at+2.37.20%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=1500w 1500w, 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content-fill " > <img class="thumb-image" elementtiming="system-gallery-block-grid" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/1773438046633-9T4N16DSF9HSBJQYVFTC/Screenshot+2026-03-13+at+2.39.49%E2%80%AFPM.png" data-image-dimensions="2150x1482" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="Screenshot 2026-03-13 at 2.39.49 PM.png" data-load="false" data-image-id="69b4844dbf36d053a772be5e" data-type="image" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/1773438046633-9T4N16DSF9HSBJQYVFTC/Screenshot+2026-03-13+at+2.39.49%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=1000w" /><br> </a> <a role="presentation" aria-label="" class=" image-slide-anchor content-fill " > <img class="thumb-image" elementtiming="system-gallery-block-grid" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51a84ca0e4b054d2e0965975/1773438047000-PH95X7P47RVTTXM36JO2/Screenshot+2026-03-13+at+2.40.09%E2%80%AFPM.png" data-image-dimensions="1560x1028" 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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 politelyIn 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 intenseDemerara 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.

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.