Just this week, The Pad inherited a wonderful new addition to its toy collection - a gorgeous Rancilio espresso machine and coffee grinder. In addition to the way mornings are looking MUCH shinier now, having access to wonderful, freshly ground, freshly pulled espresso has had me pulling out some of my happiest coffee based cocktail recipes. This one, named simply TIKI, was part of the second season of the Black Orchid Club and is a cocktail worthy of sharing: The rhythm of the savages, the music of the idols, the depths of mystery. Taste this combination of cardamom, almond, lime zest and bitter chocolate with rich Portuguese coffee, dark West Indian rum, and sweetened condensed milk, and be transported to a hidden jungle paradise.
Tiki
(cocktail by Suzanne Long for the Waitiki 7, and their 2010 release The New Sounds of Exotica)
1 oz sweetened condensed milk mixture in bottom of glass (half condensed milk, half heavy cream)
3 oz cold strong expresso - Sical Cinco Estrelas (from Portugal)
1 oz Tiki Syrup (see below)
2 oz Trader Vic's Dark Rum (Whalers is a reasonable substitute, Zaya makes for a very luxurious cocktail)
Shake rum, coffee and syrup with ice. Pour into cooler with condensed milk in the bottom. Garnish with an orchid, zest of fresh lime, a long coffee spoon and straws.
To make the Tiki syrup, take the zest of three oranges, the zest of one lime, 1/2 juice from each the orange and the lemon, and ten green cardamom pods, and bring to a boil in 4 cups water. Boil 5 minutes. Add 2 tsp chocolate extract and one tsp almond extract and 8 cups sugar, slowly stirring until sugar is totally incorporated and syrup is clear. Allow to cool and store in the refrigerator.
Now, there are so many options when choosing coffee that I encourage you, as I would with rum, gin, whiskey or anything else you add to a cocktail, to experiment and learn the glorious ins and outs of different roasts and brands. I use the Sical five star coffee from Portugal because I am in love with its unapologetic briskness and intense flavor, which reminds me of MANY mornings that followed rum soaked nights when I lived in Boston.
Imbibe Magazine just published a really nice article with some other very interesting cocktails using coffee. If you're looking for a few more excellent ones to try, check it out at http://imbibemagazine.com/Elements-Coffee. Also, a very hearty MAHALO to Tracy Howard and Imbibe for including The Pad in their article on inspiring home bars! If you'd like to read about my home lab, check out the article at http://www.imbibemagazine.com/Inspiring-Home-Bars!
I'm off to another cup of glorious espresso! I'll see YOU there - EVERYWHERE!
-- Suzanne
Rum N Pineapple
Tales from behind the bamboo stick with Suzanne Long
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
Aloha to a sunny new day!
Wow, what a season this was! Now that we're all, finally, on the other side of the holidays and the new year has decided to stick around (sometimes on New Year's Day I'm not sure!), it's finally back to the chance to blog, and share some awesome new things with you. First of all, I'd like to share with you a new cocktail that I created on the eve of my departure from Forbidden Island (more on that below) called Chega de Saudade. The tune is one of my all time favorites, with its haunting sadness, and is widely held as the first Bossa Nova tune. The cocktail features the Del Maguey Crema de Mezcal (this mezcal has some agave syrup added back into it and so has just a touch of sweetness) with blood orange, and a hint of truffle salt - it was haunting in its own wonderful way; rich, savory, with that sweet mezcal smoke and yet dancing and effervescent, and I'd love to share the recipe with you, so here you go:
Chega de Saudade (Suzanne Long)
1/2 oz Del Maguey Crema de Mezcal
1/2 oz Lillet Blanc
1/2 oz Blood Orange Reduction (or organic concentrate)
approximately 4 oz brut champagne or sparkling wine
slice of blood orange
Truffle Salt (Selezione Tartufi Sale con Tartufo 10%)
Place Del Maguey Crema de Mezcal, Lillet Blanc and the blood orange reduction in a shaker and shake with cubed ice. Strain into champagne flute that has been half rimmed with truffle salt. Slowly top with brut sparkling wine and garnish with a slice of blood orange. In regard to Forbidden Island, it has been a wonderful adventure, and I was pleased to spend nearly three years behind the bamboo stick there. In the sea of rum, limes, pineapples and glorious aloha, I don't regret a single moment, and will cherish all of those memories for a lifetime. However, I've got a VERY exciting adventure ahead of me, and each and every one of you will want to keep track of me in the coming months, so remember to swing by here or follow me on Twitter (@rumnpineapple and @spindriftsuz) for all of the updates on my latest project. I'M not going anywhere - so don't worry! If anything, you'll be seeing and hearing a lot more from me! I'll see YOU there - EVERYWHERE! Suzanne
1/2 oz Lillet Blanc
1/2 oz Blood Orange Reduction (or organic concentrate)
approximately 4 oz brut champagne or sparkling wine
slice of blood orange
Truffle Salt (Selezione Tartufi Sale con Tartufo 10%)
Place Del Maguey Crema de Mezcal, Lillet Blanc and the blood orange reduction in a shaker and shake with cubed ice. Strain into champagne flute that has been half rimmed with truffle salt. Slowly top with brut sparkling wine and garnish with a slice of blood orange. In regard to Forbidden Island, it has been a wonderful adventure, and I was pleased to spend nearly three years behind the bamboo stick there. In the sea of rum, limes, pineapples and glorious aloha, I don't regret a single moment, and will cherish all of those memories for a lifetime. However, I've got a VERY exciting adventure ahead of me, and each and every one of you will want to keep track of me in the coming months, so remember to swing by here or follow me on Twitter (@rumnpineapple and @spindriftsuz) for all of the updates on my latest project. I'M not going anywhere - so don't worry! If anything, you'll be seeing and hearing a lot more from me! I'll see YOU there - EVERYWHERE! Suzanne
Monday, December 12, 2011
Christmas Cactus Cocktail
Cozy December days call for revelry, good fellowship, bright cheer... and strong drink! Come to Forbidden Island tonight and join me for the delightful holiday treat the Christmas Cactus, featuring my handmade prickly pear citrus butter, a hint of ginger, and the fresh and delicious Clément Première Canne Rhum. Only tonight! Don't miss your chance to taste the wonderful handmade Prickly Pear butter, and have me craft an exclusive cocktail just for you! I'd love to... after all, on cold winter nights, I need *someone* to keep me warm. And don't forget, Happy Hour all night long!
I'll see you, tonight, at the Island! 5pm!
-- Suzanne
Monday, November 7, 2011
Festive for Fall - Suzanne's Pumpkin Eggnog
Feeling festive, or just in need of a little liquid cheer? Come on by tonight and see me in Black Orchid Sessions as I feature a delicious and rich treat fit for the season - my Pumpkin Eggnog. Dark rum, cinnamon and fresh nutmeg swirl into delectable pumpkin and egg for an amazing treat. Don't miss this one!
Also, I have brought back the wonderful pumpkin butter from last season, so come and allow me to custom create a cocktail for you on the spot!
I'll see YOU, tonight, at the Island!
Forbidden Island Tiki Lounge
1304 Lincoln Avenue, Alameda, CA
-- Suzanne
Monday, October 10, 2011
Madagascar Vanilla Smoked Cocktails tonight
Come and taste the smoky sexiness of tonight's Black Orchid Sessions cocktail, Afro-Desia, with my Mt. Gay Eclipse flambeed rum cordial, fresh lime juice, Punt e Mes and a Madagascar Vanilla bean smoked glass. And as if you needed any other reason to brave the soft evening weather, we've also got Happy Hour all night long!
I'll see YOU, TONIGHT, at the Island, 5pm!
-- Suzanne
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Debut of Autumn Specials at Forbidden Island
Autumn has arrived, and we have a beautiful little menu of custom created treats for your imbibing pleasure. Come and enjoy these lovely cocktails created by me and my excellent staff:
Tempranillo Sling
(award winning cocktail by James Eggett)
In tribute to the alchemy of historic cocktails, we join Hornitos Anejo tequila with the tangy flavors of ginger, lime and grapefruit and the well-balanced sweetness of our housemade Tempranillo agave cordial.
The Old Fig and the Sea
Our delicious tribute to the last work Hemmingway published during his lifetime, this cocktail features a house-made fig and spice reduction,bright citrus, Mt. Gay Eclipse rum and fresh thyme.
Autumnesque
Autumn swirls with the gracefulness of a dancer en pointe, in this enchanting cocktail, featuring 209 gin, fresh lime, Lillet Blanc and our house-made lemon thyme champagne reduction.
Maltwine Honey
The whisky-like triple grain distillate of Bols Genever, that the Dutch call maltwine, is partnered with the wonderfully mellow taste of Maker's Mark bourbon and a house made syrup that steeps mint, green mate, star anise, clove, pineapple in honey made right here in Alameda, CA!
Pineapple Fizz
Fresh delicious pineapple is paired with honey and peaches for a
perfect fizzy autumn treat.
Biscotti Silver Flip (Pictured)
El Dorado Demerara Rum, Faretti Biscotti Liqueur and fresh nutmeg come together in a luxurious cocktail that will keep you warm through the coldest autumn nights.
I'll see YOU at the Island!
--Suzanne
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
National Rum Punch Day!
Join us today, September 20, as we celebrate National Rum Punch Day
at Forbidden Island with delicious punches all night long! Our
Barbados Rum Punch featuring Mt. Gay Eclipse will be discounted all
evening, and enjoy two more rarely served punches, the Gallant-Yard, a
liberating and delicious blend of fresh grapefruit, lime, silver rum
and exotic far away spices, and the Queen's Tea Punch, with a mixture
of teas, vanilla and rich rums. Both will be served in bowls for two
at only $10 all evening... a fitting way to kick off your San Francisco
Cocktail Week experience! Splice the Main Brace and join us tonight
at 5pm!
I'll see YOU at the Island!
-- Suzanne
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)








