Post #214218 by Kailuageoff on Sun, Feb 12, 2006 2:09 PM

I agree that serving a punch is the best way to go with a larger group; especially those not accustomed to tiki drinks. Why knock yourself out hand-mixing drinks for a dozen or more people when your efforts may not be fully-appreciated. Or, if they are appreciated you may quickly find yourself overwhelmed by thirsty guests. We had an office party at our house before Christmas and the punch was almost entirely consumed, yet we had beer and wine left-over. Most of these people knew almost nothing about tiki or tiki drinks.

Actually, I usually refuse to hand-mix tropical drinks for more than about six people. I find I can't really enjoy myself - that is imbibe my own drinks - and be precise in my measurements, if I have to mix too many drinks for other people. I also usually limit the menu to a few of my personal favorites. We might start with a Mai-Tai, do a Kava bowl, switch to a Shrunken Skull and finish off with a Sweet Leilani Kahlua drink, for example. I find four rum cocktails are plenty for most guests.

As for the tiki drinks are for chicks attitude.... Well, duh!
Don't tell your clueless male friends, but most of time it seems like we end up with a one guy to three girls ratio around our tiki bar.

Whenever I look across the bar and see my wife and her girlfriends enoying themselves, I always think how I wish had been on top of this Polynesian cocktail thing when I was in college.

The haole on the old Trader Vics menu had this all figured out. He definitely wasn't drinking rum with his backyard, basketball-watching buddies! :wink:

[ Edited by: Kailuageoff 2006-02-12 14:10 ]