Friday, November 07, 2008

Surf Fridays!

Happy Friday! Many of you have no doubt already seen this spankin' new awesome blog, Grass is Greener.

I am in love with this new gem and their rootsy intentions of 'gettin' back to basics'. They list some of their interests as 'mother earth and mother ocean'. They really are after my own heart. Check out their profile today of lo-fi stylin' surf photographer, Kate Czuczman. Gorgeous!


You know, being that it's Friday and the end of a whirlwind week, it would be nice to have a drink. What is the best tiki bar you have been to? My very favorite one is Forbidden Island in Alameda, which is a cool island just east of San Francisco bay.

Interior of Forbidden Island with dollar bills on the ceiling
Photo credit: John Lee


Their drinks are made with fresh citrus juices that they squeeze themselves - and all natural ingredients. Even their maraschino cherries are naturally colored and flavored. They offer 55 different rums and have invented seven drinks.

Their namesake drink is top-secret...co-owner Martin Cate and his wife are the only ones in the world who know the recipe. Mr. Cate makes the mix alone so when the bartenders get to work, they just grab the pre-made mix and the alcohol. The Forbidden Island is a hearty grog, filled with lime, pineapple and our secret mixture of rare spices and liqueurs. I had one of these and I can attest that it is worth getting.

One of my favorite things about tropical drinks in a tiki bar, are the names (and how they make you feel all good inside). To mention a few, how do you like the sounds of Suffering Bastard; Painkiller; Fog Cutter; Sidewinder's Fang and Missionary's Downfall.

Forbidden Island bar
photo credit: John Lee

Martin also has an off-the-menu drink called Dead Reckoning. If you want to try mixing it yourself, here's his recipe:
  • 2 ounces Cockspur 12-year rum
  • 1/2 ounce Navan Vanilla Liqueur
  • 1/2 ounce maple syrup
  • 1/2 ounce tawny Port
  • 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 ounce pineapple juice
  • 1 dash Angostura bitters
  • 1 ounce soda water
  • Mint sprig
  • Lemon zest spiral
Here is a tiki drink recipe site where you can browse by the highest-rated drinks. Also, this recipe book, Beachbum Berry's Sippin Safari would make a good gift. Now all you need is a tiki mug - incidentally, they originated in mid-century American tiki bars.

Not sure where the nearest tiki bar is to you? Check out Critiki where you can search by location, all around the world. Would you believe there is record of 551 tiki locations in the U.S.? 2 in Cuba, 6 in Mexico, 10 in Australia and 32 in Canada...

Happy Surfing and Happy Cocktails! And here's to your hearty spirit and health!

6 comments:

Michael Singman-Aste said...

Anna and I love Forbidden Island! Alameda really needed this place. Another great thing about it is that it's walking distance from the Frank Bette Center for the Arts, so it's the perfect destination after 1st Friday opening nights.

Ana said...

Wow...I NEED to check this place out. Maybe after a fun day of shopping at the Antique and Collectables show on Alameda next month!

Mrs.French said...

I feel cooler because I know you...does that make sense? xo t

Anonymous said...

I love these photos!!!! Number one just puts me in a better mood, and inspires me to get to the beach :)

Thanks for the recipe!

Shona~ LALA dex press said...

One of the best nights of my life was spent at Sam's Seafood in Seal Beach. Funny thing is I mentioned it to my grandmother + she + my grandfather used to eat there all the time when the lived on Balboa Island (early 60's).

Someone from Seal Beach bought some stuff from me on ETSY+ when I brought up Sam's, she said it had closed. It was so great + well kept-up.

Thank you for your comments + I love your beach photos- they make me miss home.

David J. Hirsh said...

So much great stuff here, Jamie, and yet it's the drink recipe that makes me want to comment. As a once-upon-a-time bartender, I can tell you, with great confidence, that any drink calling for 12-year-old rum should have no other ingredients whatsoever. Maybe some ice in the summer. But that's it! Again, happy to have found your blog and looking forward to adding you to my surf-inspired blogroll.

david