Devin's tiki-inspired cocktail recipe Bay Winds has seven ingredients, including gold rum, dry vermouth and fresh lime juice. (Photo by Devin Roberts)

By Devin Roberts

The Peninsula Foodist is asking our staff and contributors to share what they’ve been eating and drinking lately. Freelance photographer Devin Roberts delves into his appreciation of sharing tiki drinks with his wife.

Hey all, I'm Devin, a freelance photographer for The Six Fifty, proud Peninsula resident and habitual home bartender.

"Tiki time!" has been a frequent call between my wife and me for the better part of the last two years. Sometimes it means seeking out one of the many incredible Bay Area tiki institutions, but more often than not it means experimenting with our own tiki recipes at home. Tiki drinks offer a fun and low-effort bit of escapism that has been especially needed during the isolation of the pandemic.

For me, the best part of tiki is that it doesn't take itself too seriously. Sure, it's cool to make a flawless martini or a perfectly measured Manhattan, but there is something indulgent and fun about taking your loose interpretation of a Zombie and throwing it into a mug that looks like a zombie!

We have accumulated a large selection of rums, liqueurs, mixers, and mugs since starting our tiki adventure, but to get started you really don't need much – just a taste for delicious drinks and willingness to have fun. Below are three of our current favorite tiki recipes in order of effort. Give them a try or give them your own spin. Either way, enjoy tiki time and cheers!

Classic Daiquiri
2 ounces light rum
1 ounce fresh lime juice
1/2 ounce simple syrup
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker with ice, cover and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with a lime wheel.

Painkiller
2 ounces navy rum
4 ounces pineapple juice
1 ounce orange juice
1 ounce cream of coconut
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker with ice, cover and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds. Strain into an ice-filled glass and garnish.

Bay Winds (Devin’s recipe)
1 1/2 ounces gold rum
1 1/2 ounces dry vermouth
1 ounce orgeat
3/4 ounce milk punch
3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
1 barspoon curaçao
1 barspoon grenadine
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker with ice, cover and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds. Strain into an ice-filled glass and garnish.