The Spirit World

This little book, Kitschy Cocktails, while small in size holds a whole lot of fun! The name gives you a hint of what’s to come but the subtitle, “Luscious Libations for the Swinger Set”, really gives you an idea of the author’s sense of whimsy.

As you might guess the cocktail recipes are all about Tiki drinks but before you get to the recipes you must read The Kitschy Cocktail Muse Manifesto which covers the ten commandments for making and serving cocktails. Some of the rules are about mixology technique: Thou shalt not overmix or overmingle. Other commandments cover entertaining: Thou shalt decorate the drinks, the den and thyself.

The book also includes the requisite chapters on barware and garnish instruction.

Many of the recipes are the tropical drinks we’ve come to know and love but there are also a few specialty drinks created at different Tiki bars. One of these is the Tai Chi - a cross between a Mai Tai and a Chi Chi, which is served at the Hyatt Regency in Kauai.

Tai Chi

• 1/2 oz Malibu rum
• 1/2 oz Captain Morgan rum
• 1/4 oz oregeat
• 1/4 oz orange curaçao
• Dash of sweet and sour
• dash of pineapple or orange juice
• Splash of Bacardi 151 rum

Mix first six ingredients in a 12 oz glass with ice cubes. Float Bacardi 151 over ice. Garnish with a vanda orchid or slice of orange.