Does the world need another book of tiki recipes? When they’re all killer recipes, yes, yes we absolutely do.
Coconuts & Carnage is a new Wonk Press paperback with recipes and commentary by Seattle’s Justin Wojslaw, formerly of The Diller Room and currently based at Rocco’s in Belltown. We sampled a variety of Justin’s cocktails a couple years ago and I made it a priority to check in for one of Justin’s bartending shifts during my trip last week.
The book contains 50 recipes and there aren’t too many exotic ingredients that’ll throw off the amateur bartender. Instead, the recipes rely on a set of common ingredient but put together in interesting ways with specific called spirits and liqueurs. The single non-alcoholic recipe features Pathfinder “amaro” in the Ray’s Escape, developed for Seattle’s tiki ambassador “Tiki with Ray” Wyland who’s been sober for the last couple years. This NA cocktail tastes delicious, as does an NA version of the El Siniestro that’s also in the book.
There are a few “tribute” recipes including a Pearl Diver that uses Coco Lopez as the base for Gardenia Mix, but the vast majority of the drinks are Justin’s original creations that are truly outstanding. During my two visits to Rocco’s I sampled the Port Royal Punch, the creamy blue Cherry Blossom, and the Black Orchid which I consider to be Justin’s masterpiece. Each one of these was really great, and Justin’s skills as a bartender also came into play with a delicious custom Mai Tai made with Jamaican and Demerara rums, my favorites.
Each recipe includes a full page photo of the cocktail, along with some preparation details and some short backstory about the creation of the cocktail. This isn’t really a book you “read” but one which you review for inspiration or to try a cocktail with a specific ingredient. The book is moderately priced at $25, so fans of the cocktail genre or bartenders who are looking for a leg up for their next tiki bar party would be well-served to pick up this amazing collection of recipes.
