Rum N Pineapple

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Mai Tais for Haiti

I've only got a second... but wanted to quickly post about the awesome benefit we're doing at FI tonight for Haiti:

Across the globe, people are uniting to raise money for the earthquake victims of Haiti.

Please join Forbidden Island on Tuesday, January 26, and help us join in the relief efforts. A special, one night only Haitian Mai Tai featuring our beloved Haitian Rhum Barbancourt will be available, and a portion of the proceeds of each Haitian Mai Tai will be donated to relief efforts. In addition, a raffle will be held with wonderful FI collectibles, dinner at Trader Vics, some amazing limited edition Trader Vics mugs and other tiki schwag.

So mark your calendars and get ready to raise your glasses, your spirits, and funds for Haitian relief.

More info about the event here : http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=256528187634&ref=mf

I'll see YOU at the Island!

-- Suzanne

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Photo Contest Winners!

Special Congratulations to Sue Trowbridge, our drawing winner for last week's photo contest. Sue has won one Black Orchid Cocktail on me tonight! Sue's photo entry was this photo:

Our second winner is a photo (actually a set of photos) by Will Anzenberger. These are really stunning photos, Will. Thank you!

The Flame:

The Pour:

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I'll see YOU at the Island!

--Suzanne

Sunday, January 17, 2010

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

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Tonight! Week 11 of the Black Orchid Club!

We've made it to Week 11, and we're rapidly approaching the end of the Black Orchid Club! As you know, the 13 weeks will be up the last Wednesday of January, and the Reckoning Party is coming up on February 3rd. I know that many of you have quite a few if not all of the cards, and now's the time to start letting me know how many you have so I can start getting all of the prizes ready. I've got some awesome stuff lined up for prizes and am very excited about the Reckoning Party.

Tonight, however, there is a special small contest happening, and it is photo related. Tonight, come in to FI and take a photo of the Black Orchid cocktail. Any media will do - fancy camera, cell phone camera, spy lapel pin camera, whatever you have on hand - and get your photos to me by Monday of next week (Jan 18, before midnight Pacific time), and you'll be entered to win your Black Orchid cocktail free (I'll pay for it myself!) on Jan 20. Two winners will be chosen - one via random drawing, and one for the most interesting, creative, beautiful, funny, or otherwise entertaining. Each photo entered is worth on drawing ticket (so if you have 20 photos, your name goes into the hat 20 times). Every photo entered must have the cocktail in it... but the rest is up to you! I'll announce the winners here on the blog by Wednesday, Jan 20, before 5pm. Photos may be submitted via email at rumnpineapple@gmail.com , or posted to your Twitter account with an @BlackOrchidClub (or you can bring a Polaroid into the bar). Can't wait for some awesome clicks!

I'll see YOU tonight for Week 11 at the Island!

--Suzanne

Photo Credit: Paul McMillan and Gabriel Hurley of Zero Coordinate, Inc.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Happy 10th Birthday, Tiki Central!

Tiki Central is 10 years old today! 10 years of tiki madness, tiki ohana, the tiki world growing up together... ten years of the happiest and best times of my life. Thank you, Hanford Lemoore, for everything. I couldn't have done it without you!

Last night, we rang in Tiki Central's 10th with hugs and cheers and a 10 second countdown at Smuggler's Cove. Here's the photo proof:

Jason Untulis, Hanford Lemoore, Chad Spacey and myself, just after midnight.

Cheers to you, Hanford. I'll raise a glass to you at Forbidden Island tonight! I send this request out into the world, for all you tikiphiles out there... patronize your favorite (or at least your closest) tiki establishment tonight! Come and see me at FI, and I'll have a drink special for you! Or go to the Mai Kai, to Trader Vic's, to Kowloon, to the Bali Hai, to the Tiki Ti, to the Tonga Hut, to Smuggler's Cove, to the Kona Club, to Don the Beachcomber, to the Rendezvous, to Bahooka, to the Conga Lounge... if you can't make it out, raise a glass from home and join us live at Forbidden Island on UStream after 5pm Pacific time. We'll all have a mai tai tonight and long live the Ohana of Tiki!

I'll see YOU at the Island!

--Suzanne