A photo interlude... Tiki Oasis 2011

Tiki Oasis was, as usual, a complete blast. Forbidden Island hosted two back to back suite parties which were both packed for three straight hours... and we had a ball. I wanted to share some of the photos. Dig it! My first cocktail of the weekend, being poured into the approved container: A Mr. Bali Hai at the Bali Hai

Loading in a teensy bit of the rum for the weekend!

Line outside the Forbidden Island suite for Friday evening's party:

View from the balcony - floors and floors of parties at the Crowne Plaza Hanalei:

It felt like New Year's Eve! Marissa of Rock-a-Hula, Michael, owner of Forbidden Island and myself right before opening the doors of Saturday night's gala, One Night in Havana:

The Havana cocktail, with fresh mint, champagne,and Mt. Gay Eclipse:

The invaluable and utterly handsome Marty, running the roulette table for the evening:

The party in full swing. We couldn't have done it without our wonderful and generous sponsor, Mt. Gay:

Not to mention the overwhelming generosity of Cruzan, who sponsored Friday night's Fun in Acapulco party:

And Appleton, who sponsored us in the Sip 'n' Shop on Friday afternoon, where I served the "So Danco Samba," made with a flambeed Appleton rum cordial, Punt e Mes, Ramazzotti Amaro, vanilla and fresh lime juice:

Some of the usual characters were present, and a few unusual ones too. Here's a mysterious masked man, who is apparently a little bit ticklish:

Behind the bar with Patrick, who looked like a million dollars and was a darling and so very helpful all evening:

With The Mayor of Exotica (Tim Mayer of the Waitiki 7, and guest soloist with Don Tiki for the weekend), and Patrick:

After hours in the suite, Tim and Alika Lyman jammed straight ahead for us:

And then, there was Sunday. The judges came around to let us know our Saturday night Havana party was the best of the weekend! Here we are with our winning plaque:

And then... DON TIKI! I have to say that this was one of the best concerts I've seen in years. Solid, awesome exotica and latin jazz. The crowd hung on every note and was just waiting for the chance to jump up for a standing ovation. Seeing them on the mainland was an amazing treat. I hope I don't have to wait another ten years!

I love this shot - they were on stage, but the lighting makes it look like Lopaka was playing on the beach at sunset:

Just because we love good rum at Forbidden Island, we got up early on Monday morning and flew back to the Bay Area, just in time for the Brugal 1888 rum launch! Make sure to come by and try this wonderful new treat!

I'll see YOU at the Island! --Suzanne

(Photos by Suzanne Long, Michael Thanos, and the Ohana of the Tiki community. Mahalo!)

A little Maurin Quina in the Ides of March

Wanted to post today about a wonderful little cocktail I've got on the menu here at Forbidden Island for only a short time longer. It is called the Ides of March, and features a wonderful, little known spirit called Maurin Quina. You are likely familiar with the image seen here, painted in 1906. The liqueur has recently become available again in the US and I was thrilled to get the chance to feature it in a cocktail, as I am madly in love with it! The cherry and almond notes of the liqueur make me swoon, and the addition of Black Maple Hill Small Batch Bourbon and the Bittermens Xocolatl Mole Bitters just knock me over. The cocktail will disappear soon, though, as we're rolling out our summer specials in just two weeks.

Come and try one - no need to fear the Ides of March any longer. Especially when it tastes this good.

Also, I'm so thrilled to announce that Forbidden Island is featured on the cover of the San Francisco Bay Guardian today! Mahalo to the great folks on Mississippi Street for the nod!

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I'll see YOU at the Island!

--Suzanne

(Cocktail Photo by Gabriel Hurley of Zero Coordinate, Inc.)

SHATFEST - More William Shatner than you can stand

Tonight. Will Not. Be. Your Average Night. At. Forbidden. Island.

At all, actually. Tonight is off the hook! It's SHATFEST,Will the Thrill at Forbidden Thrills monthly movie night at Forbidden Island. We're showing disgustingly fabulous William Shatner movies tonight, and it will be a complete blast! Come and join us for great cocktails full of dramatic pauses!

(Also, I am painted green. Yes, yes, really. Come and see for yourself.)

I'll see YOU at the Island!

--Suzanne

Will the Thrill's SHATFEST

The Queen's Flip for a rainy Monday

Frequently at The Pad (thepad.us), we drink to the health of the Queen. Actually, we drink to her health about hourly. Which lead us to send her a postcard, actually -- but that's a different story.

Tonight at Forbidden Island, I'm sharing a flip that has been a favorite at The Pad - a cocktail that I've come to call The Queen's Flip - I like them so much that I'd like to keep drinking them, and keep toasting to her health as often as possible. Even more than once an hour!

The flip is made with fresh egg and a premium bourbon. We alternate between the Black Maple Hill Small Batch Bourbon and George Dickel Barrel Select. The addition of fig and blackberry preserves, honey, St. George Absinthe and St. George Aqua Perfecta Raspberry Liqueur makes for one delight of a cocktail.

Join me and Lee Williams this evening at Forbidden Island, as we, Sirens of Mixology, offer up this rich new enchantment, as well as Lee's latest, the Chipotle Margaritayeyayeyaye - featuring the unapologetic St. George Spirits/Hangar One Chipoltle Vodka and their amazing Qi White liqueur.

We'll see YOU there! 5pm!

-- Suzanne

Week 5 - Come and taste the mystery... of history!

Tonight is week 5... more adventurous discoveries of hidden cocktails await you! Join us tonight for the Limehouse Blues Cocktail:

Rings on your fingers and tears on your crown, that is the story of old Chinatown. Our custom tonic syrup with fresh lime, English Dry Gin, hidden ancient spices and a sparkling finish will take to you to the edge of the Thames River and a shipside delivery of awaited treasures.

Also... a hidden cocktail will be rewarded to those who hear the call. Listen for your clue in a very special way tonight! Want to know more? Come in and collect your card to see.

All this happens to the luscious vinyl sounds of DJ Otto, with all the best Exotica, Surf, Lounge and Latin Jazz.

I'll see YOU at the Island, starting at 5pm!

--Suzanne

Sneak Peek for Week 4 and Recap Wks 1-3

Take a look at this gorgeous photo of tomorrow’s cocktail:

Have you been playing along online as well as in house?  Have you followed the links to collect your clues?  All of those links do lead to wild cards, so  you’ll want to be sure to check it all out!  Here is a little recap to help you with your adventuring:

The Scroll, and call to action:

Week One Card, the Sim Sim:

Note the web address:  http://ThePearloftheBlackOrchid.blogspot.com

Week Two Card, the Tiki:

Did you ask for the Riddle Book while you were at FI?  If you did not, here is the text of the riddle:

“In order to commence, or to finish, this second position character must exist.  This character may pity the fool, may be a way to get to Harvard Square, and may be enjoyed hot or cold.”

If you think you know the answer, be sure to tell me tomorrow and be rewarded.

Week Three Card, Enchanted Sea:

Again, note a new web address on the card: ttp://MixingAdventurer.blogspot.com

Here is a photo of the Enchanted Sea:

Finally, last but most certainly not least, listen to the enchanting sounds of Martin Denny as he plays the cocktail’s namesake tune, Enchanted Sea:

 

Tomorrow will be an exciting day in the Black Orchid Club – you don’t want to miss it... there just may be some WILD CARDS to be claimed...  See you then!

 

I’ll see YOU at the Island!

 

-- Suzanne

Week II Recap: Tiki

How can one resist the allure of glorious Portuguese coffee with cardamom, bitter chocolate, almond and lime zest, dark rum and a drizzling of sweetened condensed milk? One cannot!

(Photo by Zero Coordinate,Inc.)

"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."

Have you listened to those savage sounds? The deep jungle sounds of Tiki? Open your ears to the glorious sounds of the Waitiki 7 playing this exotica classic. As always, if you love it, show it, and buy it!



Tomorrow... join me and Will "The Thrill" Vilharo for Mermaid Movie Night at Forbidden Island, and the launch of his new pulp novel. Mermaid drink specials, and me in costume! Don't miss it.

I'll see YOU at the Island!

--Suzanne

Photos from Black Orchid Sessions, June 14, 2010

Just wanted to share some exquisite photos of Black Orchid Sessions this past Monday. All photos by Paul McMillan of Zero Coordinate, Inc.


Flambe of brown sugar and pineapple for a Sessions cocktail. This one was created for Sessions Bookholder Dave Hildebrandt:




The completed flambeed cocktail:


Me, preparing Pineapple Rhubarb Mojitos with the fresh rhubarb syrup and Cruzan rum:


Garnishing the mojitos:



Completed Pineapple Rhubarb Mojitos:



Thanks, Paul, for these lovely photos!

More photos and information about Monday nights and Black Orchid Sessions is available at http://www.facebook.com/forbiddenisland and http://www.forbiddenislandalameda.com/

More info about Zero Coordinate and all the awesome things they do at: http://zerocoordinate.com/


I'll see YOU at the Island!

--Suzanne

Sunny Sunday... Sunny MONDAY!

It's another stunning sunny day, and I'm gearing up for Pearl's Kitchen, the corned beef street vendor who brings Grandma's Jewish Kitchen to the Street. At 4pm we'll have hand made corned beef sandwiches and brunch cocktails... who could possibly ask for anything more?

... you can?

Ok, then, you've got me. I guess you'll just have to come by TOMORROW, on MONDAY, to experience the kickoff of Forbidden Island Mondays. That's right, starting tomorrow, May 24th, FI will officially be open 7 days a week. And Monday evenings are certainly not to be missed. Yours truly will be behind the stick, and we'll have HAPPY HOUR all night long, a SPECIAL MONDAY NIGHT ONLY MENU, and the continuation of BLACK ORCHID SESSIONS, all for your imbibing pleasure. Take a peek at the menu:


and tomorrow's special ingredient is my Gazpacho Water, with tomato, cucumber, basil and dill, and the cocktail with it will simply blow you away.

I'll see YOU, this afternoon and TOMORROW, at the Island!

--Suzanne

A handful of stunning Sessions photos

Gabriel Hurley, Paul McMillan and Shelby Keller Miller, of http://zerocoordinate.com/ took some amazing shots last Wednesday of Black Orchid Sessions cocktails, and I wanted to share these gorgeous shots with you:


The Mask of the Red Death.

A custom cocktail created during Sessions for Jen Erlichman. Her instructions: "Make me something really GOTH." This cocktail delivers, in amazing deliciousness... Prickly Pear Puree with fresh squeezed cranberry juice, sour cherry, rum and allspice. The presentation is the best part... set a 151 doused orchid aflame in the cocktail glass and allow to wilt, then pour this cocktail over.

Look for a video on YouTube soon with the entire show!


Neptune.

Another of our Sessions Bookholders, Dave Hildebrandt, has been requesting cocktails based on each of the planets in the solar system. This is Neptune, with custom made Black Orchid Orgeat, Leopold Brothers New York Sour Apple Liqueur, and Blue Curacao.


Flaming presentation during Black Orchid Sessions.




Three amazing shots of a custom bowl created on request for Sessions Bookholders... Sour Cherry, Mango and Demerara rum with cinnamon made this cocktail a huge hit!

Tonight at FI - DJ Tanoa spins 50s and 60s vinyl for your swingin' and jiving pleasure. Come cut a rug with me! I'd love to have a dance partner!

I'll see YOU at the Island!

--Suzanne