Tiki Glasses

[The Knize]

What are folks thoughts on tiki glasses? "Too nerdly for words"? (Is that a bad thing?) "The proper accessories always make whatever it is one is trying to do"?

I guess I am really looking for input just from folks who like tiki drinks.

In theory I would like some tiki glasses. I like my whiskey/whisky is an appropriate glass. I sure like good glassware for wine. I am making a lot of tiki drinks these days and spending time reading up on the whole genre. On the other hand, when I actually look at the glasses, the fact that everything that looks traditional to me are opaque seems like a turn off, and the clear glass ones do not seem very authentic tiki to me. A lot of these drinks are good-looking with garnishes, so are nicer to be able to see. An umbrella sticking out of the top of a Maoi would not do it for me.

 

[ouch]

The chintzier and wackier the better. It’s probably the least serious genre of drink, but they sure are good.
Plenty of good substitutes exist. Highball glass, hurricane, or double rocks can all be used.

Not expecting to see a Reidel sommelier series tiki glass any time soon, I would imagine.

 

[FL shaver]

We went out for a late dinner at a Tiki pop up last night. They serve the Tiki drinks in the appropriate glassware. I have none, yet....

 

[TexLaw]

The chintzier and wackier the better.

No one could have said it better. I suppose one could find an "elegant" tiki glass, but that sounds about as much fun as an "elegant" chili dog.

Oddly enough, this week's Milk Street podcast included a discussion with a bartender who makes and writes about Tiki drinks. He pretty much said that drinking out of something crazy is part of the "Tiki experience."

 

[FL shaver]

I wonder if it is Tikimon, who I met about a month ago. He participates in Exotictikiisland.com podcasts. Lots of tiki has entered my life since The Knize started exploring Tiki cocktails!

Like this beer from Point Ybel in Ft. Myers. The brewer has a Tiki Sour Series. Now I’d like to try a Dead Reckoning. Looks like a monster Tiki cocktail!

 

[FL shaver]

Shannon Mustipher...different guy...

 

[Doc4]

On the other hand, when I actually look at the glasses, the fact that everything that looks traditional to me are opaque seems like a turn off, and the clear glass ones do not seem very authentic tiki to me. A lot of these drinks are good-looking with garnishes, so are nicer to be able to see. An umbrella sticking out of the top of a Maoi would not do it for me.

Kind of like drinking beer from a Bavarian stein ... can’t see what you are drinking and more trouble than they are worth ... but appealing to someone who is really interested in traditional German beer.

They seem cheap enough that you can get a set without paying a lot, and give them a go. Perhaps they will grow on you.

Not expecting to see a Reidel sommelier series tiki glass any time soon, I would imagine.

You underestimate their capacity to market slightly different versions of handblown crystal stemware to affluent status seekers.

 

[The Knize]

The Libbey brand tiki glasses, both the clear with the prints on the side and the "shaped" clear ones, are starting to appeal to me. Tiki Collection - https://shop.libbey.com/collections/tiki So is Doc4's concept of getting a set of various kinds and just trying them out.

Also, crazy seems good, too.

 

[Toothpick]

They have some interesting glassware here:

Unique Beer Glassware

Showcase your beer in a unique way with our curated collection of quirky glassware. This is the evolution of beer. Are you in?

shopipa.net

also have a pineapple glass too.

 

[The Knize]

Thanks. 17 oz is big for a tiki drink, though!

 

[Tricky]

Gosh, of all the things I didn’t know I needed. Love those opaque tiki glasses. Perfect for a nice, big rum runner!

 

[jesseix]

Thanks. 17 oz is big for a tiki drink, though!

Nah, they’re all 75% ice anyways right??

 

[Champion of Capua]

I know they’re not the typical “tiki glasses”, but I’ve always liked the Mia Tai glasses from Duke’s

 

[Billski]

This is mine.

 

[Doc4]

This is mine.



View attachment 1170185

Technically, I think that's someone else's

 

[Avi]

Are Tiki glasses / umbrella drinks + fake maraschino cherries a thing? I feel like someone should make a bar focused on drinks like this (like in NYC or something). My only recollection of such things is being a child and seeing how to make off with the cherry at some random asian restaurant my parents were at . I can't recall anywhere I've seen tiki style drinks post that time period, though

 

[EMG06]

Are Tiki glasses / umbrella drinks + fake maraschino cherries a thing? I feel like someone should make a bar focused on drinks like this (like in NYC or something). My only recollection of such things is being a child and seeing how to make off with the cherry at some random asian restaurant my parents were at . I can't recall anywhere I've seen tiki style drinks post that time period, though

New Orleans - Latitude 29
Chicago - Three dots and a dash

or best yet, pick up a book from Beachbum Berry and make them at home!

 

[The Knize]

San Francisco--Smuggler's Cove

 

[TexLaw]

Houston has Lei Low. It's a great Tiki dive bar that reasonably limits its occupancy so that it's not a friggin' madhouse and keeps the music low enough so that you can both enjoy it and talk to your friends. Yes, it can be done!

 

[The Knize]

Excellent question, BTW. Unknown to me, in Washington, DC, Jack Rose has a rooftop Tiki bar Thursday through Saturday. Jack Rose is the best bar I have ever been to. I suspect they do a good job. Potomac Distillery at The Wharf has a bar that is considered Tiki. Seemed like a decent rum bar to me. Not all that Tiki. There are other places in DC said to be Tiki. I have not been. My guess is that there must be Tiki bars in every city. These things go in trends. Like Speakeasies.