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!)

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

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

Sessions Week I - Thank you!

What a good time I had Wednesday for week I of Black Orchid Sessions! Thank you to everyone who sat down with me directly and worked with me to create those custom cocktails... there were a few that were really innovative and original, and that I definitely wouldn't have been able to dream up myself, but WOW, were they tasty! Mel Waldorf of Meshugga Beach Party asked me to see what I could do with the secret ingredient (an Organic Maple Syrup, Apple Cider and Cinnamon reduction) and his beloved Slivovitz... quite the challenge if you've ever tasted it! I came up with a cocktail with gin, the Slivovitz, the maple-apple reduction and some limoncello... amazingly delightful, and you couldn't even taste the Slivovitz! Just got a little bit of the plum notes with the lemon. I also created a bourbon based cocktail with Black Maple Hill bourbon, which was rich and wonderful, and several others with various different spirits. The true challenge of the evening, however, was when someone asked me to come up with something using Hangar One Chipotle Vodka and the maple apple reduction... something one would really NOT think would work. With the addition of grapefruit juice, campari, and Bittermens Xocolatl Mole bitters, we came up with a unique and fantastic cocktail. I can't wait to make another one!

For those of you not quite in the know, Black Orchid Sessions is a new, innovative and fun way to learn more about the art of Mixology by working with me directly at Forbidden Island to create custom cocktails. Each week, a focus ingredient will be announced (last week it was the apple-maple-cinnamon reduction, next week rose syrup; see a list of all the planned specialty ingredients below)... but here's the fun part: You come in, sit down with me, and get to taste the special ingredient of the week. After that, we'll talk about its characteristics, and how we can creatively use it in a brand new cocktail... you tell me what you like, what you feel like, and we'll put it together right there on the spot! You get a special little notebook to keep all of your custom created recipes in, and at the end of the Sessions, you can take it home and keep all of your recipes! Any questions you have about how to create a good cocktail, where to find ingredients, or anything similar - well, you've got my full attention during your session and the sky's the limit! In addition, if you like, I'll send you home with a small container of the special ingredient for the week, so you experiment in your home bar with creating new cocktails, based on what you learn in our Sessions. We want you to have a blast at home AND at FI with those new cocktailing skills you're learning.

Every week, there will be a new, unique ingredient to try... the possibilities for innovative Mixology are endless, and the possibility for fun even more so! Just like this week when I was challenged to create a cocktail with maple and Chipotle vodka and came up with something I'll likely be making in my home bar, (wish I had one right now as I type!), I'm positive some AMAZING cocktails will result from this drinking and mixing adventure. Ah! My mouth waters just thinking about it!

At the end of the six weeks, I'll put together a list of cocktails that were created in Sessions, and we'll have a contest for the best... the most original, the tastiest, barkeeps choice, and the one with the craziest name... and those cocktails will be featured on a special evening with YOUR name on the menu.

Need a little more delicious enticement? Here's a list of upcoming specialty ingredients:

Rose Syrup
Prickly Pear, Lemongrass and Citrus
Bitter Chocolate and Orange Peel
Orgeat (Almond), with a rum base
Pomegranate Honey
Black Orchid (French Vanilla and Black Tea with Sour Cherry)
...and perhaps even more!

Sound good? Well, don't miss it! Come and see me on Wednesday nights at Forbidden Island, 1304 Lincoln Ave in Alameda, CA, 5pm 'til Midnight. Remember your Black Orchid Club VIP cards are valid for 10% on your entire check Sunday through Wednesday (and it just so happens I work on all of those days), so bring your friends!

I'll see YOU at the Island!

--Suzanne

Photo Credit: Sparkling Future Cocktail. Photo by William Anzenberger Photography

Press release: BLACK ORCHID SESSIONS provide custom gourmet cocktails at Forbidden Island, Alameda

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 15, 2010

Alameda, CA.
Forbidden Island Tiki Lounge announces Black Orchid Sessions

On February 10, 2010, Forbidden Island Tiki Lounge rolls out a unique cocktail experience... custom made cocktails, created on the spot based on customer requests. On the heels of her wildly successful Wednesday night cocktail series the Black Orchid Club, mixologist Suzanne Long is taking cocktail creation to an even higher level by inventing cocktails on the spot, using premium ingredients and the suggestions of the imbiber. Each week, a focus ingredient will be announced. Focus ingredients will include Suzanne Long's custom made cocktail syrups and liqueurs, and some specialty spirits. The focus ingredient will be used to create each guest's custom cocktail, and a special weekly specials menu will also be available.

"In my experience, creating an excellent custom cocktail is similar to a Jazz recording session," says Long. "Creating custom cocktails for my guests on the spot is something that I already do. I'm just opening the doors to the public so everyone can participate. With my custom made syrups, the premium spirits and fresh juices we have here at Forbidden Island, and your input about what you feel like tasting tonight, we can together create the perfect, exceptionally crafted cocktail - right here in front of you!"

Black Orchid Sessions will take place on Wednesday evenings at Forbidden Island Tiki Lounge, the very hip 1960s style tiki lounge in the heart of Alameda. More details about the Black Orchid Club and Black Orchid Sessions can be found on Suzanne Long's blog, Shakin' Rum and Pineapples - http://rumnpineapple.blogspot.com and at http://twitter.com/BlackOrchidClub.

WHERE: Forbidden Island Tiki Lounge, 1304 Lincoln, Alameda.
http://forbiddenislandalameda.com
http://twitter.com/BlackOrchidClub

WHEN: Wednesdays, 5PM-12AM beginning February, 10, 2010
CONTACT: Suzanne Long (manager), suzanne@forbiddenislandalameda.com
Michael Thanos (owner) info@forbiddenislandalameda.com
Will Viharo (publicist), will@forbiddenislandalameda.com