Tiki cocktail by Suzanne Long

The rhythm of the savages, the music of the idols, the depths of mystery... This cocktail was created as a tribute to the Waitiki 7 in honor of their unparalleled 2010 release, New Sounds of Exotica. The cocktail features cardamom, almond, lime zest and bitter chocolate; the addition of Portuguese coffee is a nod to jazz woodwind player Tim Mayer, who has been known to take exceptional strides for a well made cup of the dark stuff. Dark West Indian rum, and sweetened condensed milk round out the cocktail. Prepare to be transported to a hidden jungle paradise, and don't forget to drop the needle on the Waitiki 7 record!

TIKI

0.5 oz of Heavy Whipping Cream
0.5 oz of Sweetened Condensed Milk
3 oz of Espresso
1 oz of Tiki Syrup
2 oz of Trader Vic's Dark Rum

Shake rum, coffee and syrup with ice. Pour into cooler with condensed milk and cream 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.

Cheers! I'll see YOU there... in Okonkuluku!

-- Suzanne