I’ve been working my way through Jeff Berry’s excellent cocktail recipe books for a number of years and have been hitting a couple of road blocks when it comes to finding ingredients. #1 on my “Most Wanted” list is falernum — a Jamacian sweetener that consists of sugar water, lime juice, rum, cloves, and other spices. It seems to be available in a couple of forms in larger cities on the west coast, but living in Florida, it’s impossible to find in our local liquor stores, who seem more interested in selling Budweiser.

The internet is abuzz with falernum controversy: enterprising cocktailians have developed their own formulas and are fermenting them in mason jars, one company is importing what may (or may not) be a holiday spiced version version of the stuff from the islands again, and all the while no one can quite agree on what is the “authentic” taste as none of the interested parties actually tasted the stuff back in the ’30s and ’40s when it was frequently used in cocktail recipes.

While all of this controversy has been raging, Fee Brothers, maker of cocktail mixers and bitters since 1863, has been steadily producing their non-alcoholic falernum, which Jeff Berry recommends for Don the Beachcomber-style drinks he’s championed. If it’s good enough for the Beachbum, it’s good enough for me, and oddly, the stuff is now being sold on Amazon.com, so it’s available to us unwashed masses that don’t live in the historical shadows of the rum cocktail revolution.

I placed my order last night and can’t wait to compare all three versions of the Zombie in Sippin’ Safari!

Buy Fee Brothers Falernum at Amazon.com

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Woe is the day when you’re ready to mix a Mai Tai but have neither the energy or the ingredients. Mai Tai mix to the rescue! Trader Vic’s, the originator of the drink, sells a pre-made mix online, but recently I’ve read lots of good things about Dave & Anna’s Signature Blends Mai Tai Mix.

Dave was a bartender for Trader Vic’s and eventually his own restaurant, Honolulu, in Alexandria, VA, and claims to have made over 200,000 Mai Tais in his lifetime. He and his wife ran the establishment for 25 years until the restaurant closed due to a DOT construction project.

Besides the mix, their recipe calls for 1 oz of light rum, 1 oz of golden rum, 1 oz of lemon juice and a squeeze of lime. Not necessarily close to the original formula, but definitely easier for the home bartender to produce.

Find out more at Dave and Anna’s Signature Blends

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Premiering this summer - the biggest gathering of Hawaiian falsetto (leo ki’eki’e) artists outside of Hawai’i is coming to Los Angeles!

Showcasing the award-winning talents of Raiatea Helm, Gary Haleamau, Hoku Zuttermeister, Steven Espaniola, Auntie Geri Brigoli and Ryan Souza, all on one stage together, this festival is the first of its kind.

Featuring Raiatea Helm — 2x Grammy Nominee and Na Hoku Hanohano award winner. Supporting artists include Grammy winner Jeff Peterson on guitar, Berklee grad Abe Lagrimas Jr on ‘ukulele and Natusol bassist Taumata Grey.

Plus Hula Performances by Noelani McIntosh & Kaleilehua O Panaewa, Halau Hula Ka Lehua O Ka La’akea, Hawai’i Daughter’s Guild of California & the Kama’aina Glee Club of Orange County.

Tickets on sale NOW at www.AlohaFalsettoFest.com

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God bless Forbidden Island — this contempory tiki bar really seems to “get it,” rewarding regulars and newcomers with a variety of activities to keep them coming back.

On May 18 at 3:00pm, they’ll be holding their first ever luau, featuring:

• A world-class traditional luau buffet, prepared by award-winning chefs!
• Live entertainment from Tahitian dancers!
• Select Forbidden Island Cocktails at special prices!
• Luxurious gourmet gelato from Gelateria Naia (www.gelaterianaia.com) featuring Forbidden Island Cocktail-flavored gelatos!
• Island treats & collectibles for sale!
• And some surprises!

Admission and entertainment are free, with food & drink for a fee. Please note the event is 21 and over only.

May 18, 2008. Starts at 3 pm.
1304 Lincoln Ave., Alameda, CA 94501, (510) 749-0332

Visit the Forbidden Island website

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On May 9–11, 2008, Wildsville Man and M Modern will be hosting the first ever Tiki Caliente at the Caliente Tropics in beautiful Palm Springs, California.

Activities begin Friday night with a Luau at Hawaiian Bills and on Saturday and Sunday vendors will be selling their goods.

Vendors include: Derek Yaniger, Doug Horne, Happy Chi Jewelry, Tiki Magazine, Dirk Yates, M Modern, Hawaiian Bills. The promoters promise that more artists will be announced soon.

For information please call 949-463-6087 and ask for Rory Snyder. Room packages and event tickets are available here.

Visit Tiki Caliente website

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San Francisco’s excellent tiki bar, Forbidden Island, is celebrating its second anniversary with the release of a limited edition tiki mug, The Kapulapu, on April 27th at 3:00pm. Designed & crafted by local Oakland artist Tiki Kaimuki, this very special and unique mug will certainly be a sell-out within minutes.

The Forbidden Island edition will be cast in a classic satin black glaze reminiscent of the great OMC Moai mugs of long ago. In addition, each Forbidden Island version will feature a unique tongue- each one meticulously applied by hand and all one-of-a-kind! Each comes with a certificate of authenticity and features “FI2” in raised letters on the back of the mug.

• Mug sale starts at 3PM. Do not line up before the sun comes up.
• One mug per customer. No holding places in line — everyone interested in buying a mug must be in line the whole time.
• At 2:45, numbers will be issued. Your number will guarantee you the right to buy a mug, but not the number of the mug. When you get to the mug table, all of the mugs will be in boxes, and you’ll choose at random. Yes, number 1 will be available. But since they’re all unique, you may want to trade someone for a tongue you like better!
• CASH ONLY. Mugs are $75 each. PLEASE NOTE: Forbidden Island no longer has an ATM. Please make sure you have cash with you.

The total size of the edition may not be available until the last minute — it all depends on how the kiln behaves. Expect that there will be between 25 and 30.

SPECIAL BONUS: There will be an ultra-rare version of the mug in a white glaze with no tongue. Numbered “1.5”, this mug will be made available as a raffle item to give everyone a shot at it! Tickets will be on sale at FI on the 27th for $2 each and the raffle drawing will be held at 5:00PM. You must be present to win!

Visit the Forbidden Island website | Discuss at Tiki Central

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Mug maker Tiki Farm is holding it’s 4th annual parking lot sale tomorrow, Saturday, April 19th, from 9am - 5pm, which brings 34 vendors of tiki merchandise into one, sunny location.

Activities also include DJs, a coloring room for kids (so parents can shop), hula lessons and demonstrations, and a performance by The Tikiyaki Orchestra.

SATURDAY APRIL 19th, 9:00am – 5:00pm
Tiki Farm, 1305 Calle Avanzado San Clemente, CA 92673

Get directions at the Tiki Farm website.

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