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last updated 4 Sept 2025
I coined the term Tahoe Tiki because there are dozens of popular cocktails around Lake Tahoe that are in a general class of rum based drinks called "tiki cocktails", a kind of rum punch with several types of rum and a mixture of tropical fruit juices. Examples are Mai Tais and Piña Coladas. They are popular in the Caribbean and Polynesia, (Hawaii, Fiji, Tahiti ...)
Chambers Punch
Classic Chambers Punch was popular at Chambers Landing since it was developed by Rick Brown in 1976 and the first popular tiki cocktail in North West Tahoe or the whole Lake as far as I know.
, Rick owns the rights to the name and it is now served exclusively in his his establishments, Swiss Lakewood Fire Sign, and Dockside Trading Company

Secret Chambers Punch Recipe (This is the best recipe that we have found, but is not the official one)
CrawlSF, 2025
Ingredients:
1/2 can Frozen Passion Fruit, Orange Juice, 1/2 can frozen Pineapple Juice, 3 oz Bacardi Light Rum, 3 oz Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, 1 oz Meyer's Dark Rum
Directions:
Mix the Bacardi and Captain Morgan's Rum into a blender and then add the Pineapple Juice and Frozen Passion Orange Juice., I ran into a guy at Dockside Trading who said he'd downed 5 Chambers Punches in one sitting, but would never do it again.

See more about Chambers Punch


The Wet Woody created at Garwoods Grill & Pier, established in 1988 at Carnelian Bay, named for the popular Classic wooden boat, is probably the most well known in North West Tahoe now; They claim it is world famous.

3/4 oz light rum, 151 rum (eg, Goslings Black Seal Black Rum) 3/4 oz peach schnapps, 1 oz cranberry juice, 1 oz pineapple juice, 1 oz orange Juice 1 oz sweet & sour mix, 3/4 oz Bacardi Select floater, 1 slice lime and is often served frozen, but can also be made on the rocks.
They have 10 variations listed on their menu and 20 variations on a card at the bar and tables.

, It is served at Garwoods Grill & Pier, Carnelian Bay; Riva Grill, South Lake Tahoe, CA ; Bar of America, Truckee; and Water Bar, Sparks, NV.

See more about the Wet Woody


, Sunnyside Slush, ..., PPOG - Pineapple, Passion Fruit, Orange Juice, Guava Juice
, They switched from a comercial mix with more juices, to fresh squeezed juice in 2023.
, choice of spirit, rum, tequila, or vodka.
, Chambers Landing now calls their modified version "Chambers Crush",
, Kimo's Mai Tai is Jakes on the Lake signature tiki drink. ,
, Rum Runner at Richardson Resort at Camp Richardson.,

, Camp Richardson Resort in South Lake Tahoe, California is known for its Rum Runner cocktail. While the exact proportions might be a closely guarded secret, here's a detailed recipe based on common Rum Runner ingredients and variations, along with the specifics mentioned by Camp Richardson's menu:
, Camp Richardson Rum Runner (inspired)
See Top 10 Best Rum Runners Near South Lake Tahoe, California | Yelp

Ingredients:, 1 oz Silver Rum, 1 oz Spiced Rum, ½ oz Banana Liqueur, ½ oz Blackberry Liqueur (Crème de Mûre) or Blackberry Brandy, 2 oz Pineapple Juice, 1 oz Orange Juice,½ oz Lime Juice, freshly squeezed, Splash Grenadine, 1 oz Cutwater Bali Hai Dark Rum (for the float), Crushed ice, Garnish: Brandied cherry and pineapple wedge
, Instructions:, Combine silver rum, spiced rum, banana liqueur, blackberry liqueur, pineapple juice, orange juice, lime juice, and grenadine in a shaker with ice.
, Shake until well-chilled.
Fill a hurricane glass with crushed ice and strain the mixture into it., Top with a float of Cutwater Bali Hai Dark Rum.
, Garnish with a skewered brandied cherry and pineapple wedge.
, Optional additions:
, Adding a splash of Falernum (an almond, ginger, lime, and spiced sugar syrup) provides a classic touch.
, For a frozen Rum Runner, blend all ingredients (except the Cutwater Bali Hai Dark Rum float) with 2 cups of crushed ice until smooth.
Note: Camp Richardson's menu lists Bacardi 151 as an additional float option. Keep in mind that Bacardi 151 is a high-proof rum and should be consumed responsibly.
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The "Rum Runner" cocktail, as we know it today, is generally believed to have originated in the 1970s at the Holiday Isle Tiki Bar in Islamorada, Florida. While there are earlier mentions of a drink called "Rum Runner" in a 1937 New Orleans cocktail book, that recipe differs significantly from the modern version according to Got Rum? Magazine. The popular Florida Keys version is attributed to a bartender named John Elber, who created it to use up excess rum and other liqueurs.,

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, Mixing:
, Most recopies call for blending, but many bars use special Frozen Beverage Freezers.
, All the ingredients are mixed and frozen in the machine. Then a dark rum may be floated on top after it is pored. Taylor Frozen Beverage Freezer
Spaceman Frozen Drink Machine Refrigerated Hopper Pre-Chills Mix $5,300,
, Links:
History of the Mai Tai
DIY Frozen Ultimate Mai Tai