With the running of the Kentucky Derby last week it was only a matter of time before my mind turned to booze. Well, I don’t mean that literally, although at this rate someday it just might. Anyway, the minute I realized it was Kentucky Derby time the tune from “One Mint Julep” started going around in my head and thoughts of Bourbon and mint started swirling in the giant martini glass that holds my brain.

The Mint Julep

…isn’t my favorite drink, but it’s been a staple of deep south backyard parties and sporting events for as long as Bourbon has been around. Personally I’d rather have a Mojito, but I don’t think they serve them in Kentucky.

4 fresh mint sprigs
2 1/2 oz bourbon whiskey
1 tsp powdered sugar
2 tsp water

Muddle mint leaves, powdered sugar, and water in a tall glass. Fill the glass with shaved or crushed ice and add bourbon. Top with more ice and garnish with slices of orange, lemon, pineapple and a cherry, plus a mint sprig. Just like a Mai Tai, the mint sprig should protrude from the glass high enough so that you get the scent while sipping. Serve with a straw, paper one if you can find it.

And now for the song…One Mint Julep, this version by The Clovers

-Tiki Chris reporting from the grand stand at Tiki Lounge Talk, the web lounge for kool kats and swingin’ kittens.

Some critics will talk about how even in two hours there wasn’t much drama; they’ll complain that the show moved at a slow pace, trying to make up for the last year-and-a-half on the shelf, doing little more than reintroducing characters and playing “catch up”. Those who love the show will attribute the slow pace as a device to build tension, culminating in two major events at the end: Don Draper is once again seen taking what he wants, when he wants; and the very powerful and thought-provoking scene where, for the first time ever, black applicants are allowed…in fact, invited…to apply for a position on Madison Avenue.

Personally, I dug the show immensely. It was exactly what I expected: An open window on the drastically changing America of the mid-1960s, paralleled with the drastically changing lives of the characters.

Several important points are made during this episode. Some are obvious and stated right out, like Pete’s assertion that he’s bringing in the most valuable clients (and therefore is a more valuable asset than Roger Stirling). We’re also reminded that Joan’s husband is in Vietnam while her baby is Roger’s, both Pete and Roger aren’t exactly happy with their home lives, SCDP is still struggling financially although “stable”, and although Burt Cooper still has a presence, it’s really Don who is running the show.

But there are several unsaid, more subtle changes that can be seen throughout the show. For instance, when did Harry become a complete jerk? Seems he lost a little weight, and became completely unprofessional and downright obnoxious. We’re talking about a character who broke down in tears during a client meeting after cheating on his wife, now crassly displaying what he would do with Don’s wife given the chance. I don’t see it…seems those lines should have gone to the cad in the creative department.

We see Pete, a little older, a little heavier, and a lot more in control. He’s gone from being whiny to being demanding…and although he doesn’t get exactly what he feels he’s entitled to, his assertion does get him ahead. It will be interesting to see where his character goes this year, as I have a feeling he will be moving up…and possibly over Roger Stirling. But not without a fight, of course, as it looks like Roger is eager to regain his status as top grossing account man…and he’ll do anything to achieve it, including swooping in ahead of Campbell at his own client meetings. But does Stirling still have what it takes to bring in the big accounts? Time, as they say, will tell…

MAD MEN Season Five Promo Poster

Take a good look at the photo above. The people who market MAD MEN don’t do anything by chance. This photo was very carefully merchandised. Notice the Life magazine. More importantly, look at the faces, postures and placements of the characters. This is probably the first time we’ve seen Don Draper shown in a lower position than the others, even though he is still the focal point of the image. Note the stern look on Peggy’s face, Don’s relaxed posture, and Roger’s benign, almost confused gaze. Roger is even sitting in a red chair, the only red image in the photo - could it suggest he is in the hot seat? Look at how close Joan is to Roger with a sexy pose, while Peggy is very close to Don but in a very professional arrangement. Coop is basically alone but looking very serious about his position, while Price is furthest back, but centered and looking very much in control. Also note who is dead center in the photo, and the only one looking ‘up’…Pete Campbell, who I feel is going to become a much bigger deal at SCDP.

We see Don is still affluent enough to afford a brand new 1965 or ‘66 Cadillac Coupe DeVille* (with power windows, back when that was an option), as he drops off three seemingly happy kids. He refers to Betty and Henry as “Morticia and Lurch”, a reference to The Addams Family that is probably lost on many younger viewers. No matter; Betty’s name or image doesn’t come up anywhere in the episode, making her nearly a non-entity, until Don’s new wife Megan asks if Betty every threw him a birthday party. His response is that he forbid it. The “up yours” look on Megan’s face is enough to show us that this is the scene where the old Don, the Don who could snap his fingers and get what he wanted, was gone, and as he turns 40 he will have to fight to take what he wants or thinks he deserves.

*A side note: Remember the days when kids sat up in the front seat, without a car seat or seat belt?

Another thing: Anyone notice how much prettier and incredibly more likable Megan is this season? Not that she wasn’t attractive before, but suddenly she is sexier…much sexier…going beyond the “easy, gold-digging secretary” bit to a whole new level of sophistication and charm. (Plus there’s less going on with the whole teeth situation.) Finally, we know why Don asked her to marry him…she’s not just young, good with the kids and good in the bedroom, she’s a challenge, a complete departure from the submissive (to the point of being annoying) Betty. Maybe that’s something Don really needs in his life, without admitting it. Or maybe he just doesn’t know what he’s gotten himself into yet. Whatever the case, I didn’t care for Megan’s character last season. Maybe that was intentional on the part of the producers. But this season she’s on fire, and I hope she keeps going in that direction.

Joan shows us some very uncharacteristic weakness, both in dealing with her mother and confronted with the possibility of being shut out of SCDP. She blames her tears on the pregnancy…but we all know she’s going through a heap of problems that really have no way of coming out on the sunny side. If her husband survives Vietnam, he will surely figure out the baby isn’t his. If he dies, she’s stuck alone again with a baby to care for, with only Roger to turn to…who, as we know, can turn hot or cold on a dime. Bad scene, baby.

We all dig MAD MEN and have from the very first episode when the mysterious Don Draper sat in a lounge, drinking an Old Fashioned and writing ideas down on a cocktail napkin. “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” swung as back to 1960, a peak year during the golden age of Martinis and sharkskin suits. The only downfall to season five is that it’s started in 1966, which is pretty much the beginning of the end of the era we love so much and tuned in for, for the past five years. The styles change, the music changes, the world changes, some for the better, some not. It is these changes (and the changes in the characters as well) that will keep the show fresh and interesting, but we will miss the Madison Avenue of 1960.

-Christopher “Tiki Chris” Pinto
Creative Director, Engelhardt & Partners Advertising, Hollywood, FL

These cats know how to have a party.

I know that everyone who reads this Blounge is excited about the new season of MAD MEN finally starting. Sunday, March 25th, 2012 marks the beginning of the 5th season of AMC’s hit show - and what better way to jump into the swing of things than with a retro-style cocktail party?

There are fun, quick, easy tricks to throwing together a last minute party. As long as you have friends that can make it, planning a Premier Party is a snap.

Invitations: This is an informal get-together, so a phone call (or that new-fangled email) is all you need. The show starts at 9pm, so start the party earlier. I’m starting mine at 7:30, so people will be able to have a light dinner before coming over, since I’ll only be serving hors d’oeuvres.

The Theme: Make sure everyone knows this is a MAD MEN theme party. They must dress to impress, as close to 50s-60s as possible. Even if you don’t have actual retro or vintage clothing, this is easy to pull off…men wear a jacket and (thin) tie, pocket square, fedora if you have one. The women wear cocktail dresses, heels, hair up; the fun is in trying to mimic the look. Some of your friends will have era-appropriate garb, and that’s even better. Just remember - no jeans, no sweats, no t-shirts, and hell-no clothes with designers’ names on them. How gauche. Anyone shows up like that, throw them the hell out.

Food: We’re going to keep it vintage style: Chips and dips, cheese cubes (I got Havarti, Gouda, Cheddar and Port Wine), crackers, Jello, pepperoni slices, some vegetables, black olives and mixed nuts. That’s plenty for a cocktail party like this, and it’s all easy to put together.

Booze: Spend a few bucks and buy a couple of bottles of booze that still have the same labels they did 50+ years ago. Here are some suggestions:

Displaying liquor that hasn't changed their labels in 50 years can really help set the mood, and show your friends how hip to the MCM vibe you really are.

Stoli Vodka
Johnny Walker Black Label
J&B Scotch
Seagram’s VO
Seagram’s Seven
Seagram’s Gin
Bacardi Rum
Appleton Estate Rum
Meyers Rum
Canadian Club
Crown Royal
Jose Cuervo Gold
Cinzano Vermouth
Jack Daniels (Green or Black Label)
The Glenlivet Scotch

All of these bottles look authentically mid-century, and will look great on the bar.

Actual Cocktails: Sure, you can make any of the old-school recipes that were famous at the time. But if you want to keep your party simple, choose from this list of era-appropriate cocktails and offer them to your guests:

(EASY)
Martini
Manhattan
Old Fashioned
Grasshopper

Bacardi Cocktail
Cuba Libre
Daiquari
Cosmopolitan
Whiskey Sour
Amaretto Sour
Bloody Mary
Gibson
Rob Roy

(A LITTLE MORE INVOLVED, and a lot more Tiki)
Singapore Sling
Mai Tai
Zombie
Mojito
Navy Grog
Dark n Stormy
Jet Pilot

Having vintage/retro glasses & decor can really add to the ambiance.

Drink Recipes for all of these cocktails can be found on the Tiki Lounge Drinks Page, or at the AMC MAD MEN Cocktail Guide. Make sure you have lots of olives, cocktail onions, lemons, limes and other garnishes on hand.

Decor: If your home is furnished in mid-century modern decor, you won’t have to do a thing. If not, thing subterfuge. If you can keep your party to one or two main rooms, try to remove or hide any modern electronics, digital clocks, photos, paintings, etc. Spend a few clams and buy some 50s-era style lamps, clocks, album covers, anything to set the mood (You’d be surprised how many inexpensive, MCM style things you can get at places like Target and Ikea, in a pinch). Or go to the local party store and get some streamers, cut-outs and balloons to transform your party space. Colored bulbs - red, green, blue - can do wonders to make a space feel partyish in a 50s way. Print-outs of old ads, and of pix of the MAD MEN show can also spice things up. Serve your food in vintage (if you have it) or retro-style dishes, use umbrellas and swords in your drinks, stick frilly toothpicks in your cheeses and you’re on your way.

Music: Before the show starts, you’re going to want some era-correct music playing in the background. I would suggest the albums Getz/Gilberto, Music from Peter Gunn, Birth of The Cool, and anything from The Ultra Lounge series. There’s also a new collection of cool vintage tunes called “This is Vintage Now”, available for download.

Games: A good drinking game is to take a drink every time someone on the show takes a drink. Or every time Draper makes a face. Or both. Either way you’ll be plastered by the fourth commercial. Another game is to do a sort of MAD MEN themed Charades. Each person picks a character out of a hat, then mimics that character - but without speaking. First person to guess right gets to take the hot secretary into the other room for five minutes…

The Show: Don’t forget, the point of the party is to watch the show. Make sure everyone’s drinks are filled and the hors d’oeuvres are finished being served before 9pm, and also make sure there are enough seats for all your guests. Finally, dim the lights before starting the program. From what I hear, people always used to dim the lights before watching TV in the old days.

Have fun, party people!

-Tiki Chris P. reporting from the Party Room at Tiki Lounge Talk

For more tips, see my post on having an Atomic Cocktail Party.

The Voodoo Cooler

is a drink that you can probably whip together with stuff you usually have laying around the bar, so you can have a tropical cocktail without taking a trip to the liquor store.

1 oz dark or spiced rum (your choice)
1 oz Midori
2 oz coconut rum
1/2 oz orange juice
1/2 oz pineapple juice

Shake everything up in a shaker with ice, and pour into the coolest looking Tiki mug you can find. Garnish with fresh orange and pineapple, a cherry, and an umbrella. This drink is a little sweeter than most, but it’s refreshing and has a real “islandy” taste.

If you wanna go nutz…

Put this all in a blender with ice and do a frozen job, then top with a jigger of 151. Woo hoo! Key West style, baby!

-Tiki Chris reporting from the outdoor bar on the lanai, in sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida

To all the chicks, kittens, dames, dolls, skirts, broads, babes, ladies, and women…each of you know who you are and why…Happy Women’s Day, and congratulations on making it through another year putting up with us goons.

-Tiki Chris

Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Starring Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard and Paticia Neal.

Swing back to New York City in 1961, and immerse yourself in the lifestyle of the time, where a pretty girl from the country can take some eloquence lessons and charm her way into society. Hepburn, as Holly Golightly, creates an imaginative, magical character that’ll have you wishing you had a friend (or lover) just like her.

The settings (filmed on location) and scenes will really give you the feeling you’re back in the MAD MEN era of the early 1960s. There’s a crazy party scene…possibly one of the longest in film history, second only to “The Party”…complete with plenty of cocktails, wolf-like bachelors, and agreeable women. There’s even a raid!

Party scene in Breakfast at Tiffany's, full of Blake Edwards-style gags.

But the movie is more than just silly fun. The movie is based on a book originally written by Truman Capote, and follows the book fairly closely (as much as the producers could get away with. See notes at IMDB). Holly’s character is multi-dimensional, swinging from a sophisticated socialite to…well, just watch the flick. Notable nuances include The Cat, named simply “Cat”, that lives with Holly but doesn’t belong to her; George Peppard’s character Paul, a down-on-his-luck writer who has become a “kept man”, and Buddy Ebsen as Doc Golightly…who I won’t spoil by giving away any more info.

Why you should watch this movie: First of all, it’s just a great movie directed by the incomparable Blake Edwards, winning the Oscar for best original song (Moon River, Manicini/Mercer) and best music score, plus nominations for best actress, art direction and screenplay.

This was some pretty racy stuff for 1961.

Second, it’s a phenomenal time capsule into the look and lives of early ’60s New York, with plenty of shots of streets, businesses and cars, and to me, that makes an old movie even better. Third, you won’t find a more interesting, fun and well-played character than Holly Golightly, and Hepburn pulled it off so well that 50 years later people are still praising her performance.

My take: I saw this movie for the first time when I was a kid, so I of course didn’t get most of the innuendo (There’s a hell of a lot of sex going on in this movie for a flick that came out in 1961). I saw it again in my 20s and loved it. Then I convinced my wife, Colleen, to watch it…she’s very picky when it comes to watching movies, old or new, and didn’t think she’d dig it…and it became one of her all time favorites. I tell you, there’s magic in that film.

Food & Booze: Ok, this is a no-brainer. Breakfast foods, of course. For drinks, they seem to drink a lot of straight liquor in this flick, but if you’re going with the breakfast them you should probably stick to Screwdrivers or Mimosas.

Holly's sofa, made from a tub.

Holly sings "Moon River"

Below is the original trailer. Notice how the announcer mispronounces “Capote”.

-Tiki Chris Pinto reporting from the screening room at Pirate’s Cove Tiki Bar, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Murder Behind the Closet Door, The Wildwood Paranormal Mystery By Tiki Chris Pinto

Many of you know that I write noir-style murder mystery ghosts stories. Well, here’s some great news…

Yours truly is now a 5-star rated, Top 10 Amazon Best Seller! That’s right, Murder Behind the Closet Door has hit the #7 spot on the top 10 list for fiction-horror-ghosts, and the #10 spot for fiction-mysteries-hardboiled! So, in celebration…

Amazon.com is currently offering the Kindle version of Murder Behind the Closet Door: The Wildwood Paranormal Mystery by Christopher Pinto FREE.

There’s nothing cheaper than Free, baby!

You don’t even need a Kindle to get the ebook. You can read Kindle ebooks on your Mac, PC, iPhone, Android Phone, iPad and some other readers. Just download the free app from Kindle.

Murder Behind the Closet Door is a murder mystery-ghost story that takes place in Wildwood, NJ in the late 1970s, with flashbacks to the 1930s and ’50s. The book, written over a span of eight years, is a modern noir-style thriller mixing a fifty year-old murder mystery with the occult. Truly entertaining and original, Murder Behind The Closet Door opens a door on a very plausible, supernatural world where anything is possible.

About the book:

“A dilapidated house with an evil secret in the basement. An auto-wrecking yard with the devious, rusted remains of a murderer’s getaway car. An unsolved bank robbery with hundreds of thousands of dollars never found. A detective trying to solve an age old murder before his ticker runs out. A slow, agonizing death for an unfortunate victim and his soul reaching from beyond…

“Murder Behind The Closet Door” is a murder murder mystery ghost story that keeps you engaged and guessing from the first paragraph. Creepy, riveting, this story reveals another existence, one just beyond our own, where the occult and the paranormal meet reality and everyday people find themselves swept into very extraordinary circumstances.”

Read more about the book and get your FREE KINDLE BOOK at Amazon.com! Tell your friends…the Promotion ends soon!

-Tiki Chris P. reporting from the virtual library at Tiki Lounge Talk.

I just found out this morning that today is National Margarita Day. Not sure who put this day on Ash Wednesday, the day after Fat Tuesday, which created all kinds of problems for some people (from religious to hangovers), but it is what it is, so here are some cool Margarita drink recipes taken from “100 Margaritas” by Johnny Tiki with John Taddeo, available as a free PDF download from Voodoo Tiki Tequila.

By the way…Voodoo Tiki Tequila is some great stuff, and is perfect for your Tiki bar. The bottles feature a hand-blown glass Tiki inside, and look great on your top shelf. They have a variety of styles, with the REPOSADO being my favorite. Check em out: VoodooTiki.com.

Coconut Margarita

“Also known as a Chi Chi Margarita, it’s coco sweet and tasty.”
Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz Voodoo Tiki
Platinum Tequila
1/2 oz Coconut Rum
2 1/2 oz Piña Colada Mix
1 1/2 oz Sour Mix
Directions:
Up or on the rocks combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with
ice. Shake vigorously and let sit 5 seconds. Strain into martini
glass or into a freshly iced rocks glass. For frozen – recommended
– combine all ingredients in a blender with ice and blend smooth.

Tiki Torch Mar-Tiki

“Flaming shots are for showoffs…like me! And nothing lights a bar on
fire better than the Grain Alcohol! Grab a bottle at your local liquor
store or from Uncle Jesse’s liquor cabinet and layer your drink pouring slowly onto the
back of a bar spoon over your glass. Careful! Unless your into outdoor living, wipe up any spills before igniting.
Ingredients:
3 1/2 oz Voodoo Tiki
Añejo Tequila
1 oz Everclear or Grain
Alcohol (float and ignite)
1 1/2 oz Roses Lime Juice
Directions:
Layer tequila first, then lime juice, then the Grain. Light the torch and serve

Coconut Almond Margarita

“Tropical coconut and mango collide. A unique slant on the traditional tropical treat.”
Ingredients:
1 oz Voodoo Tiki Platinum
Tequila
1 oz Amaretto
1 oz Malibu Coconut Rum
2 oz Mango Juice or Puree
1 oz White Cranberry Juice
Directions:
On the rocks, combine all ingredients and shake well. If serving up, shake well, then allow a few seconds to rest before pouring.
Rim: Coconut Flakes

Piña-melon Pear Margarita

“Three sweet fruits – luscious prickly pear, juicy melon and
sweet pineapple – make this mouth watering margarita a fruit filled favorite.”
Ingredients:
1 oz Voodoo Tiki Desert Rose
Prickly Pear Infused Tequila
1 oz Midori Melon Liqueur
1/2 oz Triple Sec
1 1/2 oz Pineapple Juice
1 oz White Cranberry Juice
1 oz Sour Mix
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass and shake. Strain into martini glass or over fresh ice.
Rim: Sugar

NOTE! My old buddy Steve Sharpe suggests adding a dollop of honey to your margarita before you blend. Thanks for the tip, Steve. This will come in handy if we ever make it to Manilla.

Happy Margarita Day! -Tiki Chris, reporting from the adobe bar next to Tiki Lounge Talk.

New Orleans Hand Grenade

Holy cow, what can be more intense than a 5-booze drink? This is a stronnng one, so take it easy on ‘em or you might wind up celebrating by being passed out in an alley.

Ingredients :
- 1 1/2 oz gin
- 1 1/2 oz grain alcohol
- 1 1/2 oz melon liqueur
- 1 1/2 oz rum
- 1 1/2 oz vodka

Stir everything together over the rocks in a tall glass or mug. That’s it. If you’re a wuss, you can splash a little club soda and some sugar in, but I suggest you take it like a man (or woman).

Personally, I’ve had a few fun Fat Tuesdays here in sunny South Florida, where the weather is warm and the drinks are cold. A fun time was had a few years ago at the Hollywood Beach Mardi Gras, where they had live bands, cheap drinks and a bonfire on the beach.

Of course Hollywood is a family town, so although there were lots of beads being thrown around, none of the young ladies were baring their busts for their beads. C’est La Vie…there are plenty of places in south Florida to see naked women!

That Sweet, Dixieland Music!

The booze and boobs are fantabulous, but without some groovin’ New Orleans Jazz to get the party moving the day just isn’t anything all that special. From the Dixieland blues of Preservation Hall to the ground-breaking trumpet styling of Louis Armstrong, New Orleans has been known as the home of Jazz for a hundred years…and Mardi Gras is a celebration of that little fact as much as the beads, booze and King Cakes!

So here’s a couple of old-time Dixieland Jazz reels to get you in the partying mood…

Preservation Hall, When The Saints Go Marchin’ In, 1973

Louis Armstrong, Basin Street Blues, 1959

Louis Prima, Swing Cats Jamboree, 1930s (Way Down Yonder in New Orleans, I Can’t Give You Anything But Love & more)

The Dukes of Dixieland, Bourbon Street Parade, 1970s

Sam Butera and the Wildest, When You’re Smiling, 1990s

And for later in the evening, Moon Face, ‪Giorgio Cuscito‬, Tiger River Dixieland

-Tiki Chris reporting from Bourbon Street, and baby, I got a lot of beads here…

3 to 4 oz. Kona Coffee
1 oz. Vodka
0.5 oz. coffee liqueur
0.5 oz. Baileys Original Irish Cream
splash cream to taste
splash Sambuca
Whipped Cream
Nutmeg

Starting with the coffee, pour all ingredients into a coffee or Tiki mug and stir gently, then top off with a splash of Sambuca and cream. Add whipped cream (real, not Cool Whip!) and sprinkle a little nutmeg on top. This is a great drink to have with rum-based desserts.

-Tiki Chris reporting from the Coffee Shop at Tiki Lounge Talk, the swingin’ Tiki blog for Tikiphiles and Retro Hep Cats!