Tiki Party- Fun Theme For a Party

Tiki Torches are a must for an outdoor Tiki Party! if you are indoors use candles (really, there is no point in having an unfortunate incident where the fire department has to be called... keep the torches OUTSIDE). (And while we are on the subject... jousting with Tiki Torches is dangerous... trust me on this).

Tiki Torches are Fabulous! They light up your party, and give great ambiance.

Set a few around the edge of the party space... maybe have a few smaller tiki torches on the tables.

A night time Tiki Party NEEDS light... Torches, a Fire Pit, a light string and candles in tiki holders or netted globes are perfect. Dim the house lights and set the mood for Tiki!

Whether you serve traditional Tiki rum drinks, or you choose to serve Tiki Mocktails, you want to have a bar. You can go all out, and build an authentic Tiki Bar... or just keep it simple and decorate a designated table. Because I don't have a Tiki Bar (yet) I usually wrap a table with Raffia and tack on a few flowers.

If the bar is outside, try to get it under cover. Tiki Bars come with tops... but an umbrella or canopy should do the trick. Hang a fun light string from the cover....and maybe a sign.

Make it FUN!

Whichever way you choose, don't forget.....
Ice
Juices
Cups
a Blender
Rum
Little Umbrellas!
cut up fruit for garnish
Sodas and beer (for those people who don't want to go along with the theme)
and towels (spills are inevitable)

You can go a few different ways with drinks at your Tiki Party.

Set up a full bar with loads of rum and juices, then get someone to play bartender... someone that can make every tropical drink every invented.

Set up a minimal bar, and just have a short list of drinks available. It's still good to have someone act as bartender.

Make up a few pitchers of Mai Tais or Zombies..... People will enjoy not having to choose, and they can serve themselves.

Whatever you choose, make sure to stock up on ice and garnishes (at the very least you need little umbrellas).

Mai Tai- The ultimate Tiki Drink...light and Dark Rum, lime juice, orange curacao and orangeat syrup.

Zombie- Enough of these, and you will become a zombie....Rum, lemon and lime juices, passionfruit juice, bitters and 151 rum.

Scorpion This one is often served in a flaming bowl with straws to share with everyone at the table.... Made with rums, brandy, triple sec and the juice of lime and orange.

Navy Grog Inspired by British Navel Sea Rations...Three kinds of rum, grapefruit and lime juice, honey and club soda.

Tiki Bars were known for having Tiki Cups shaped like Tiki gods. They were take home favors to remember your evening.

For your party, you can go as elaborate or simple as you want. If you have Tiki Cups, now is your chance to use them! Wow your guests with a Scorpion, served in a bowl with straws (to share).

Maybe you just want to use plastic cups... safer by the pool, and less washing up.

Or just use whatever cups or glasses you have in your kitchen.

After all, it's not the glass, it's what's IN the glass that matters.

Traditional Tiki Food is a mishmash of Cantonese Finger Foods (like Egg Rolls), fried tidbits (like Crab Rangoon) and teriyaki meat on a stick.

In a Tiki Restaurant, you can order a PuPu Platter... which is an assortment of Tiki finger foods. Or you can get a meal.. complete with all courses of Tiki. You can decide what sort of things you want to serve.

When you are serving food at a Tiki Party, think tropical and exotic. Cut up lots of tropical fruits, like pineapple and mangos... and feel free to throw in some melon, strawberry, or banana. (Heck, cut up some peaches if that's what you have). Make a Fruit Bouquet as an edible Centerpiece!!

You can make the egg rolls and crab rangoon yourself..... or..... you can order a selection of appetizers from a Chinese take out place.....

Or.... do what I do... Hit your local supermarket or Trader Joes or Costco, check the appetizer section of the frozen foods. You will be AMAZED at what you find. Lots of Heat and Eat treats that will make feeding your guests a snap. Won ton things... Egg Roll things.... Square tidbits.

Remember, the rules for Tiki are fairly loose... so go ahead and serve what you like... but maybe give it a tropical spin. Load your serving trays with fruit, flowers or sauces.

Grill pork tenderloins... slice and serve with grilled pineapple.
Teriyaki Burgers.... grill up your favorite burgers, serve with teriyaki sauce and a slice of pineapple.
Chicken Wings... with a sweet and sour or teriyaki sauce.
Riblets... little ribs are great!