
Heat waves are scorching parts of the United States, rum is trending and people are searching for a refreshing summer drink — it is the moment to master Tiki cocktails.
If you’re ready to dive into Tiki culture and make some drinks, check out these books recommended by cocktail historians and bar professionals who specialize in tropical libations. First up is a serving of Tiki’s complicated history of fetishization of Polynesian culture, colonial oppression and Caribbean pillage.
Mixed in are classic recipes and modern takes on those classics, all blending into the evolving canon of tropical drinks. The Tiki experience is no longer, in the words of legendary bartender Shannon Mustipher, about “exotic escapism.”
“It’s a tropical vibe that extends to how you decorate your surroundings, or the kind of art or music or lifestyle you enjoy,” Mustipher said. “It’s about chilling.” Grab your muddler, one of these books, and get on shaking up your own tropical cocktails.
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Chloe Frechette, author of "Easy Tiki," added her endorsement to the five-part volume featuring over 100 recipes. “The owners chronicle their personal journey into the intoxicating world of Tiki, offering deep dives on the genre’s history, rum and beachcomber lifestyle along the way. Plus, of course, plenty of recipes for home bartenders hoping to level up their Tiki game.”
Get "Smuggler’s Cove: Exotic Cocktails, Rum, and the Cult of Tiki" for $16.99.

The book has approachable recipes that offer modern takes on classic Tiki cocktails, recommendations for liquors that match well with flavor profiles, as well as playlists for an immersive tropical experience at home.
Try Wolf's favorite, The Jungle Bird, on Page 36.
Get "Tiki: Modern Tropical Cocktails" for $18.69.

Get "Drink What You Want" for $14.99.

Get "Easy Tiki" for $11.99.

Get "Potions of the Caribbean" for $37.53.

Get "Sippin’ Safari" for $39.60.

And, if you missed his Twitter #LoFiLushHour drink demonstrations, give him a follow @DavidWondrich and catch up on the fun.
Get "Punch" for $26.

With his iconic wit, Victor Jules “Trader Vic” Bergeron, writes recipes and short vignettes from his life and time in the islands, as well as how to have an immersive Tiki experience. The book is divided into three parts: About Booze, About Parties and About Food in General.
Get "Trader Vic’s Book of Food and Drink" for $73.88.

Get "Trader Vic's Tiki Party!" for $19.99.

A finalist for Best New Cocktail Book at Tales of the Cocktail 2020, this provides a blueprint for making Tiki cocktails: core ingredients, garnish techniques, as well as a thesis on rums with nearly 100 recipes from renowned Tiki bartenders without breaking the bank.
Try Garrison's favorite, the Angostura Colada, on Page 211.
Get "Minimalist Tiki" for $35.