Time to kill at the airport

A 22 oz Fat Tire should kill a couple minutes

I'm toasting you right now

I can't lie. I'm sitting here in a ski lodge pub in Michigan and toasting to the memories.

Mele Kalikimaka from Tiki!

Mele Kalikimaka to all of my customers, friends, & especially to the tiki torches! It has been a little different this year with my times behind the wood becoming special events rather than daily occurances. We shall see what 2011 brings and I hope to continue seeing your smiling faces over a delicious cocktail!

Turning heads in small town Indiana on Trouserless Thursday

Good morning from Middle America!

Whoops I got a little on my face

As promised, me eating a snowball!

Happy Birthday Joe!

Big moon over Flagler Beach

Monday Morning Errands

My Celebrity Look-Alikes

Always Fun!


Sean Bean? Really?


So funny! I always get Wayne Knight when I use a photo with glasses on!

My bio for the Mark E. Walker music project

At long last, I have finished my bio for the Mark E. Walker website. I am the social media specialist for the team. This bio seemed to take forever. Imagine that, me not knowing what to say about myself! Who knows, you might learn something about me at the same time!

Mark "Tiki" Woods
Media Specialist

Mark Woods, aka TikiTender, is the social media specialist of the Mark E. Walker team. In the words of musician David Lane, “Tiki keeps people relevant”. If you find a new and exciting social network, chances are Tiki is already there. Terminally connected, Mark keeps several restaurants, musicians, and even the city of Flagler Beach on the minds of people in Florida and beyond via Twitter, Foursquare, Facebook, website development, and more.

The story of Tiki's journey from Juvenile Corrections Officer to being named Florida's Favorite Bartender 3 times running could have been plucked out of a Jimmy Buffett song. While working at a juvenile detention center in his home state of Missouri, Mark decided a few weeks in the sun would do him some good. According to legend, he came to Flagler Beach, Florida on vacation and never went back. When asked about this story, Mark just grins and says “Something like that.” Truth or legend, Tiki found his home in the little town next to the Atlantic. Since landing here in February of 1996 Mark has worked at golf resorts, a golf vacation company, and bars. He claims to feel like he has been on vacation for 15 years. Anyone who has encountered his fun-loving personality and easy charm would agree. It was while working in a poolside tiki bar that Mark received his nickname. TikiTender has since become known nationwide . He has appeared in several local newspaper articles, regional entertainment magazines, and local radio shows. Most notably, he was featured in a Daytona News-Journal article about twitter alongside Oprah Winfrey and President Obama. In the past few years, Tiki's reach has been extended well outside of Flagler County. He has appeared in columns in the Omaha World Herald and is a regular guest on the Island Time Radio Show based out of Berea, OH. Island Time Radio is a trop-rock music program that streams worldwide via the internet. Tiki makes regular contributions via phone from the deck of the Golden Lion Cafe (his bartending home since 2005) in Flagler Beach. In his segments Tiki talks music, cocktails, and Flagler Beach news. If you meet Tiki in person you will likely have the time of your life. Besides that, you will probably be envious of his really cool tropical shirts. Of the many benefits of his online presence, by far one of his favorites is having a clothing sponsor. That's right, a bartender with a clothing deal. Tiki is the official bartender of Mad Gringo Clothing, based in Omaha, Nebraska. It all started with a stranger walking up to his bar and saying “Aren't you that TikiTender guy from Myspace?”

Tiki is part of the Mark E. Walker team because of his social media & promotions expertise, but he is no stranger to music. As a pup, he was a classically trained tenor. His first public performance was as a 4 year old in his grandmother's church. He went on to honors in music theater, vocals, and as a trombone player. His vocal chops earned him the opportunity to begin college on a vocal performance scholarship at Baker University in Kansas. But, as he puts it, “that was many late nights and cigarettes ago.” Stage presence is stage presence, though. You will still find Tiki spreading good times from the karaoke stage at local clubs. He is very involved with the local music scene, to the point of launching a now defunct music showcase website, UDiscoverMe.com. “Even though the site folded, I learned a lot about music promotions”, he said when asked about the site.

“I'm very excited to be part of the Mark E. Walker team,” says Tiki. “I am approached on a daily basis by people wanting me to help promote this or that. Mark E. Walker is the real deal. I can't wait to be part of his success.”

Find out more about the “Purveyor of Good Times” at www.tikitender.com

So glad to have it over! :-D Aloha nui loa, Tiki

The links:

www.markewalkermusic.com

www.goldenlioncafe.com

www.madgringo.com

www.tikitender.com

www.islandtime.freeservers.com

www.omaha.com/article/20090806/entertainment/7089069896

Celebrate Safely With These Alchohol Free Drink Recipes

If you are hosting a holiday party, it is important to have alcohol free drinks available for the non-drinkers, kids, and designated drivers. No reason for them to be stuck with a tonic water or coffee all night long. Celebrate Safely; Designate A Driver!

Cherry Cider
2 quarts apple cider
1 cinnamon stick
3 oz package of Cherry Jell-O®
Combine apple cider and cinnamon stick in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Add Jell-O, stirring two minutes or until Jell-O dissolves. Serve Hot. Yields 2 quarts.

Nojito
1 lime, juiced
1 tsp sugar
6 mint leaves
Sprite®
In a tall glass, squeeze in lime juice. Add sugar and mint leaves. Crush with a muddler or a long spoon. Fill with ice and top with Sprite. Give it a nice stir and enjoy.

Summer Breeze
Orange Juice
Sour Mix
Sprite®
Mix equal parts orange juice and sour mix over ice. Add a splash of Sprite.

Canadian Pride
2/3 oz maple syrup
3 oz grapefruit juice
3 oz ginger-ale
Shake the maple syrup and grapefruit juice with ice and pour into a tumblr. Add ginger-ale to balance. If desired, garnish with a slice of grapefruit.

Cinnamon Cider
4 oz cranberry juice
4 oz apple juice
2 cinnamon sticks
2 mint leaves
Warm cranberry juice and apple juice over low heat. Add cinnamon sticks. Pour into Irish coffee mugs. Garnish with whipped cream and mint leaves. To make in bulk, combine equal parts of juices with 8 cinnamon sticks and allow to simmer. Pour out when needed. As a bonus, it will add a festive aroma to your party!

It Wouldn't Be HumpDay If I Didn't Plug Myself

Vote For Me!

Feel like giving me a great Christmas gift? Help me reclaim my title as Backstage Pass Magazine's "Florida's Favorite Bartender". Let's make it 2006, 2007, 2008, & 2010! Visit backpassmag.com to vote!

'Tis The Season To Be Numb

Just in time for Christmas and New Year's Eve, a list of holiday drink suggestions. I have saved you the hassle of looking around in my blog and recipes page by listing a mess of recipes right here!


Warm Drinks

Hot Chocolate Butternut
1 1/2 oz butterscotch schnapps
1/2 oz amaretto almond liqueur
Hot chocolate
Combine ingredients in a coffee mug. Top with whipped cream, if desired.

Mocha Mint
1 oz Irish cream
1 tbsp chocolate syrup
1 tsp creme de menthe
1 tsp creme de cacao
Hot coffee
Combine in your favorite mug. Top with whipped cream, if desired.

Jen's Creamy Thighs
1 oz amaretto almond liqueur
1 oz Irish cream
hot coffee
whipped cream
Grand Marnier® or Cointreau® orange liqueur, to float
Combine first three ingredients in a coffee mug. Top with whipped cream and float orange liqueur on top.

Hot Buttered Mocha
1 1/2 oz butterscotch schnapps
1 pkg instant hot cocoa
hot coffee
Combine all ingredients in a coffee mug. Top with whipped cream, if desired.

Christmas Cocoa
2 oz Godiva® chocolate liqueur
1 pkg instant hot cocoa
mini marshmallows
Combine Godiva® and mixed hot cocoa in a coffee mug. Top with some mini-marshmallows. Enjoy.


For Christmas

Peppermint Twist
1/2 ounce each:
Peppermint Schnapps
Dark Crème de Cacao
Coffee Liqueur
Combine all ingredients in a shaker half filled with ice. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass or over ice in an old-fashioned glass.

Snowball
1 1/2 oz Irish cream
3/4 oz Level® vodka
1/2 oz RumpleMinze® peppermint schnapps
Shake with ice and strain into a rocks or cocktail glass.

Rudolph
1 1/2 oz rum
Splash of sour mix
Dash of grenadine
Cranberry juice to balance
Combine all ingredients in an ice-filled highball glass. Stir gently. Enjoy!

Holidaze
1 oz gin
½ oz peach schnapps
OJ to balance
Combine all ingredients in an ice-filled highball glass. Stir briskly and serve.

Candy Cane
1 1/2 oz vodka
1/2 oz peppermint schnapps
Mini Candy Cane to Garnish
Pour vodka and schnapps into a shaker with plenty of ice. Shake until the shaker frosts. Strain into a cocktail glass. Hang a mini-candy cane on the inner rim of the glass. It will add color and flavor. Enjoy!

Gingerbread Man Shooter
1/2 oz each:
Smirnoff® vodka
Goldschlager® cinnamon schnapps
butterscotch schnapps
Irish cream
Shake with ice to chill and strain into a large shot or rocks glass. This is one of my favorite holiday drinks!

Caribbean Christmas
1 oz rum
1/2 oz coconut-flavored rum
2 oz pineapple juice
2 oz cranberry juice
Shake well with ice and strain into an iced highball glass. Garnish with tropical fruits.

Red Nose Cocktail
1 1/2 oz light rum
1/2 oz grenadine
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
cranberry juice
Shake rum, grenadine, and lemon juice with cracked ice and strain into an iced highball glass. Fill with cranberry juice, and a splash of club soda if desired. Garnish with a skewer of cranberries.

Mele Kalikimaka
2 oz gin
1/2 oz triple sec
1/2 oz pineapple juice
Stir with cracked ice ans strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a pineapple chunk, a little paper parasol, and ride the trade winds to happy hula-days!!

For New Year's Eve

Bad Habit
1 oz Level® vodka
1 oz peach schnapps
Cranberry juice to balance
Pour all ingredients into an ice-filled highball glass. Stir and serve.

Resolution
1 1/2 oz bourbon whiskey
splash of triple sec
1 oz sour mix
dash of grenadine
Pour ingredients into a shaker half filled with ice. Shake it like a polaroid picture. Strain into a cocktail glass and serve.

Out With A (L'Orange) Bang
1 1/2 oz Grey Goose® L'Orange
Splash of Cointreau®
Orange Juice to balance
Pour all ingredients into and ice filled highball glass. Stir and serve.

Happy Ending
1 1/2 oz Absolut® Mandrin
1 oz cranberry Juice
club soda to balance
Combine over ice, using equal parts juice and soda

Mark Woods “aka” TikiTender is the principal bartender at the Golden Lion in Flagler Beach, FL. For more information about him, drink recipes, and general good times visit www.tikitender.com.

Remember to always spread Aloha and enjoy yourself a little bit every day. Mahalo nui loa!!!

I love my job

Brrrrr!

Pummelvision, Or How To See 1500 Photos in 5 minutes

The coolest site ever, lifehacker.com, introduced me to Pummelvision. Pummelvision will smash all of your photos from facebook, flickr, or tumblr into a neat little slideshow with some trippy music. My only complaint is that is pulls EVERY photo. So here is my facebook pummelvision, complete with tagged photos from "My Island". I plan to make one with just photos of me in bartending action to use on tikitender.com.

Leave a comment if you spot yourself in the video!

My Main Website
My Facebook
My Flickr
My Tumblr
My YouTube

Some Schedule Changes

Aloha! I hope everyone is keeping their sanity during the holiday season. It has been chilly times in Florida the past few days.

With the slow season upon us, there have been some scheduling changes at The Golden Lion (my main gig). I will be doing double duty (floor manager and bartender) on Fridays and Saturdays for a few weeks.

This means you need to come visit be while I'm behind the bar! You know you miss me!

Keep up to date on my schedule and everything else that's happening with me at www.tikitender.com

Tiki

Happy Repeal Day!

Repeal Day Drink Suggestions

On December 5, 1933 Prohibition in the United States ended. Join the Golden Lion as we celebrate the passing of the 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, giving citizens the right to once again consume beer, liquor, & wine. Even if you can’t join me at the Golden Lion’s Second Annual Repeal Day Celebration, you can still get into the spirit with these classic cocktails! Since these are classics, there exist many variations. These are the recipes I use.

Classic Martini
2 oz gin
1/4 oz dry vermouth
Fill a cocktail glass with shaved ice and water to chill. Pour ingredients into a shaker or mixing glass half filled with ice. Using a long handled bar spoon and a fast motion, stir 5o times. Dump ice out of glass and strain contents of shaker into prepared glass. Garnish with one or two olives.

Manhattan
2 oz bourbon whiskey
1/2 oz sweet vermouth
Fill a cocktail glass with shaved ice and water to chill. Pour ingredients into a shaker or mixing glass half filled with ice. Using a long handled bar spoon and a fast motion, stir 5o times. Dump ice out of glass and strain contents of shaker into prepared glass. Drop a cherry into the glass.

Sidecar
1 1/2 oz brandy
1/2 oz triple sec
1/2 oz lemon juice
Fill a cocktail glass with shaved ice and water to chill. Pour ingredients into a shaker or mixing glass half filled with ice. Shake vigorously. Dump ice out of glass and strain contents of shaker into prepared glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Ward Eight
2 oz blended whiskey
1 tsp grenadine
1 tsp powdered sugar
juice of 1/2 lemon
orange slice
maraschino cherry
Shake first four ingredients with ice. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Garnish with orange and cherry.

Presbyterian
1 1/2 oz bourbon whiskey
club soda
ginger-ale
lemon peel
Pour whiskey and equal parts of soda and ginger-ale over ice in a highball glass. Give a quick stir and drop in a lemon peel.

Chicago Cocktail
2 oz brandy
1 tsp triple sec
1 dash bitters
Rim an old-fashioned glass with lemon and dip into powdered sugar. Pour ingredients into a shaker or mixing glass half filled with ice. Stir well and strain contents of shaker into prepared glass.

Wherever you are, lift a glass to liberty!

Yay Christmas!