Though we delved into how to stock a home bar on a budget in a previous post, finding ways to stretch your booze budget is always worth discussing.  Imbibe Magazine is out with some specific recommendations on alcohol to consider if you (like most of us) want to stock your bar with a useful selection of spirits but aren’t ready to commit a couple months’ pay to do it.
The author recommends a few brands for each alcohol category.  The suggestions stay away from some of the more expensive, top-shelf brands …

If you are looking for a new cocktail to add to your tiki arsenal this summer, this month’s Esquire has one recommendation: the Spinnaker Swizzle.  This tiki cocktail recipe features bitters and Grand Marnier, if those happen to be twists that delight your palate.
Combine in a tall (12- to 16-oz) glass:

1 ½ oz aged, light-bodied rum (such as Cruzan Single Barrel or Flor de Caña 7-year-old)
1 oz Linie Aquavit
½ oz Grand Marnier
½ oz rich simple syrup (made by stirring 1 cup demerara or other raw sugar and ½ cup water …

Springtime is upon us and it is time to start planning to throw a tiki party at your new tiki bar.  From time to time we like to throw out ideas that we stumble across to help you throw the perfect tiki party.
Tiki Evites – the fine folks at Evite now have a few nifty tiki-themed templates to get your guests into the right mindset right from the start.  Evite has become the standard in inviting guests to any type of party and these are a-ok.
Set up a House Drink …

In a bad economy, owning your own tiki bar is as smart as ever.  As consumers worldwide tighten their belts and spend less on going out, you can save a bundle by staying in and mixing up those Zombies at home.
As with anything else, staying within a budget requires planning.  The Herald-Mail has a few suggestions on keeping your costs down when stocking your home bar.  The author suggests limiting your spend on mixers and using fresh ingredients to save a few bucks.  Of course, it is important to focus …

If you found the tips and video on stocking your home bar helpful, you might like this article from the Portland Tribune.  It features several tips from Blair Reynolds at Trader Tiki.  It has several great ideas and is worth reading if you plan on hosting a party this holiday season.
My personal favorite from these tips – buying one bottle of booze per paycheck.  That would certainly ease the burden of having to buy eight bottles in a single trip when the bar runs dry.  Offering a laminated menu of …

OK, interesting game from Trader Tiki: a list of 100 drinks to try before you die. It certainly is not a comprehensive list, but has some unusual choices. It has everything from whole milk to Zombies to Budweisers. Bottoms up!