At our kickoff-to-summer party at The Old Screen Door, a Lewes antique store where I have a booth, this past weekend, I didn’t serve a signature cocktail. I served a tiki-inspired signature punch.
More specifically, I served an NA punch – a completely nonalcoholic, tiki-inspired drink that guests could enjoy as is or customize with a splash of rum or bourbon if they chose. The party ran from noon to 5 p.m., and I really like the idea that you can enjoy a drink without worrying about being less productive for the rest of your day. I loved watching people’s faces light up when they tasted the layers of flavor, but what made me happiest was seeing them come back for a second cup without feeling like they were missing out on anything.
I’ve always been fascinated by the idea that people don’t just eat and drink for nourishment – they do it for escape. It’s fun finding the right drink for the right time and place, and tiki is a vibe.
That’s probably why tiki has survived for generations. It’s more than rum and pineapple juice. It’s more than beautifully sculpted mugs, vibrant colors and paper umbrellas. Tiki is a feeling. It’s permission to forget about your inbox, your errands and your deadlines for an hour and imagine you’re somewhere more tropical.
The funny thing is, most people think tiki is about alcohol. I don’t think that’s true at all. To me, tiki is about layers of flavor: fresh pineapple, bright citrus, lush mango, tart passionfruit and one of my favorite unsung ingredients, orgeat.
Pronounced or-ZHAT, orgeat is a sweet almond syrup traditionally flavored with orange blossom water or rose water. It brings a rich, floral note and just a little bit of mystery. It softens and balances citrus acidity, rounds out tropical fruit flavors and instantly makes a beverage feel more tiki.
Another classic tiki ingredient is allspice dram, known for warm notes of clove, cinnamon and allspice berries. Lately, I’ve been experimenting with an allspice dram-inspired simple syrup instead – steeping allspice berries with citrus peel, cinnamon, cloves and sugar to create that same warmth and complexity without the booze. It delivers the same aromatic character while making the drink accessible to everyone.
Giving each guest the full experience is, to me, real hospitality. Whether they chose to imbibe alcohol or not, they could enjoy a satisfying tropical punch and customize it with rum or bourbon if they wished.
The last finishing touch to any great tiki cocktail is the functional garnish. Garnishes add color, aroma and another layer of flavor. I love grating fresh nutmeg over the right cocktail, but herbs such as mint, creatively cut citrus and fresh fruit like pineapple spears, mango and starfruit can provide a big lift. Good cherries are always welcome in my book. Edible flowers have their place, and lighting things on fire is acceptable too. It’s a fun, slightly dangerous way to add drama and excitement.
Presentation matters in a good tiki punch. There is something joyful about handing someone a colorful tropical drink topped with a tiny paper umbrella. Their smile often appears before they take the first sip. The vessel is part of the story.
I’ve always admired the great tiki bars of the world, where every mug has its own personality and bartenders use vintage spindle mixers – the same machines once used to make milkshakes – to create silky, blended drinks with remarkable speed. But you don’t need a world-class tiki bar to capture that spirit at home.
What I love most is that every tiki cocktail tells a story. Mid-century tiki culture created fantasy worlds built from bamboo, carved wood, waterfalls, torches, music and elaborate drinks. People weren’t just drinking – they were creating a temporary escape.
At The Old Screen Door, surrounded by the tiki mug collection I’ve amassed over the years and am now selling alongside other treasures, I loved the conversations, the time spent with old friends and the opportunity to meet new ones. It makes me happy to hand someone a tropical punch layered with pineapple, tangerine, mango, lime, orgeat and warm spices that offers a brief escape. Sometimes paradise is found in a colorful cup or mug.
The real magic of tiki is taking a moment to smile and relax, whether you’re on vacation or simply want to feel like you are, if only for a little while. It’s a wonderful way to kick off summer.
