We continued our Tipsy Tech Summer Series last week with a discussion of all things Tiki. Our tour of the tropics began in the early days of Repeal and Don the Beachcomber's bar in Hollywood, and we sipped our way through the rise and demise of postwar Tiki culture, before docking at the recent Tiki revival of Smuggler's Cove, Painkiller, etc. I introduced the group to 'sage of the seas', Jeff "Beachbum" Berry, and gave a plug for his new book, Beachbum Berry Remixed.

Thanks to Tipsy Tech intern Zach Rose for the pictures:

The first article of business with any cocktail class is of course a cocktail. We made Singapore Slings, Mai Tais, and Trader Vic's Navy Grog.

I found this ginormous shell punch bowl at the Goodwill and decided that if I filled it with enough rum I could claim it as a Tiki artifact.

The small figure is a Benihana-style tiki mug of which there are numerous variations. The larger item is a ceramic "Gurgling Cod" water pitcher that I intended to convert to a giant tiki mug by filling it with a potent elixir, to be sipped from 18" long straws

Yesterday we hosted our second annual Tales of the Cocktail Bartender Sendoff Party for the folks heading off to New Orleans for Tales of the Cocktail this week. When Tipsy and I first went to TOTC in 2007, we were a two-man Texas delegation. Over the last few years it is amazing how much the cocktail movement in Austin and in Texas has grown, and how our representation at Tales has grown accordingly. This year there are dozens of Texans going, with a number of Texas bartenders participating in competitions and tastings, and there is even a Spirit of Texas Luncheon on Friday afternoon, celebrating the growing industry of distilled spirits in Texas.

I am not sure what this huddle was for, but I think I recall them claiming to pick each other up should they find a member of the delegation crawling around drunk in a French Quarter gutter, or something like that

Adam Harris of Maker's Mark (and USBG Austin Vice President)

Adam's mise en place was bigger than everyone else's, as he made the ambitious decision to serve not one but four unique cocktails at the event

David and Bill checking their sources before preparing for the Ramos Gin Fizz shake-off

The shakers start to get passed around the room for the shake-off

Addie Broyles (Austin American-Statesman) and Jenna Noel (Edible Austin magazine)

Graham Wasilition previewed his Tenneyson Absinthe Royale, which should be hitting the shelves Fall 2010

Lara and her golden jigger preparing a Balcones Baby Blue cocktail that will be featured at the Spirit of Texas luncheon

See you in New Orleans!

I can't believe it's only the end of July and I already get to address my favorite subject, PR Hacks, actually a sub-specialty of mine, HOLIDAY PR hacks. Usually they don't come a' carolin' for a couple more months, but a few days ago I got something very special in my email box: an invitation to preview "new and festive holiday recipes" featuring flavor combinations that I wouldn't enjoy, regardless of the season...