Mai Tai

We Heart Tiki Time

G and I used to live near the Bali Hai, and on special occasions, we'd walk over, push up to the moon-shaped bar just before sunset, and order a couple Bali Hai Mai Tais. The rum seemed to pour endlessly from bottles held above the bartender's head. The first sip of this drink is a kicker ... and the rest goes down way too easy.

Slurping the dregs and sucking on the rum-soaked pineapple, we'd order one more Mai Tai to share. More than 1.5 of these, and the sidewalk won't stay straight on the walk home.

The Inspiration: Mieko! Tiki Oasis 9 is in San Diego! Tonight, they're kicking off the event with a pre-party at Bali Hai restaurant in Shelter Island. Oh... we wish we could go. Our new friend, Mieko, who loves all things tiki, told us about it. In fact, you may see her there this weekend carving tikis. I once tried to carve a tiki from a fat yucca branch. The result? I may need some lessons, Mieko. Chat with us on Twitter: @thurshappyhour. What's your favorite tiki cocktail? We'd like to know. Email us.

Mai Tai Recipe - Our Home Version 1 1/2 oz. light rum 1 1/2 oz. gold rum 1 oz. Curacao (or orange liqueur) 1/2 oz. orgeat syrup juice of 1/4 lime 1 oz. dark rum float Garnish: triangle of fresh pineapple and a Maraschino cherry, if you have it Fill a fat rocks glass with crushed ice. Add all ingredients, except dark rum, and stir. Drizzle dark rum on top. Garnish with an umbrella and fruit. Serve with a straw. If you like dark rum, you'll also like the Dark and Stormy cocktail recipe. More rum drinks.

Drink only in moderation. Enjoy your tiki drinks responsibly. Don't drink too many rum drinks before getting yourself from one place to another. Even on foot. Mai Tais make curbs dodge and dip, tricking your feet into spilling you into a dark, busy street. Sleeping on asphalt is no fun. I imagine.

Copyright © 2009, Pybop, LLC (for thursdayhappyhour.com). All rights reserved.

The Inspiration: Mieko! Tiki Oasis 9 is in San Diego! Tonight, they're kicking off the event with a pre-party at Bali Hai restaurant in Shelter Island. Oh... we wish we could go. Our new friend, Mieko, who loves all things tiki, told us about it. In fact, you may see her there this weekend carving tikis. I once tried to carve a tiki from a fat yucca branch. The result? I may need some lessons, Mieko. Chat with us on Twitter: @thurshappyhour. What's your favorite tiki cocktail? We'd like to know. Email us.

Mai Tai Recipe - Our Home Version 1 1/2 oz. light rum 1 1/2 oz. gold rum 1 oz. Curacao (or orange liqueur) 1/2 oz. orgeat syrup juice of 1/4 lime 1 oz. dark rum float Garnish: triangle of fresh pineapple and a Maraschino cherry, if you have it Fill a fat rocks glass with crushed ice. Add all ingredients, except dark rum, and stir. Drizzle dark rum on top. Garnish with an umbrella and fruit. Serve with a straw. If you like dark rum, you'll also like the Dark and Stormy cocktail recipe. More rum drinks.

Drink only in moderation. Enjoy your tiki drinks responsibly. Don't drink too many rum drinks before getting yourself from one place to another. Even on foot. Mai Tais make curbs dodge and dip, tricking your feet into spilling you into a dark, busy street. Sleeping on asphalt is no fun. I imagine.

Copyright © 2009, Pybop, LLC (for thursdayhappyhour.com). All rights reserved.