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!