Find the syrup, save the store.

So, shipping’s not your thing, eh?  I can understand, and sympathize, and while I’m working with some shipping vendors on lower rates, I thought I’d direct you to a few places you can get Trader Tiki’s syrups a little closer to home…

SilverLake, CA – Bar Keeper

Joe Keeper, a perpetually cheery gent I had the great pleasure of meeting this past summer runs this little treasure trove of mixers, vintage barware, glassware, and just about everything a bartender or enthusiast could dream of.  I wouldn’t bother scouring the local goodwills and vintage stores for bar furnishings or punch bowls, chances are Joe’s got them.  It’s a great place to go, and just a few blocks from the venerated Tiki-Ti!

Somerville, MA – The Boston Shaker

Adam Lantheaume, the madman behind this brand-spanking new retail venture, is genuinely one of the most enthusiastic small businessmen I’ve met in my time.  He just recently went from all online to brick and mortar (with a teaching bar!), and is working on developing classes and demonstrations on mixing, drink development, bartending, and so much more.  Swing by and ask for a sample of Trader Tiki’s Orgeat.  Apparently it’s selling quite well there.

New York, NY – Kalustyan’s

Once a small spice shop, this place has expanded over the years into a full fledged everything-a-torium, including stocking great mixers and bitters.  NYC’s top bartenders and cocktail geeks have been seen roaming the stretching hallways, searching for exotic flavors and unique ingredients.  And you can’t get much more unique than Trader Tiki’s Don’s Mix, the only syrup of its kind on the shelf, and approved by noted Tiki authority Jeff “Beachbum” Berry!

New York, NY – Cocktail Kingdom

When he walks the halls, bartenders bow before his step.  He doles out recreations of classic cocktail books for the worthy, and the false get the sharp end of the Japanese barspoon.  He is Greg Boehm, Ruler of his Cocktail Kingdom, and importer of wondrous barware and other goods.  Working mostly online, Greg occasionally allows tours of his office, where he’ll talk shop, spout out the first known reference of obscure cocktails, and of course, sell you some syrups, bitters, barware, and other goodies that are beyond drool-worthy.

San Francisco, CA – Cask

Started by the proprietors of well-respected SF Bars Bourbon and Branch, Anu and Swig, this store offers the “take home game” to the imbibers at said establishments.  The exclusive list of fine spirits, barware, and other goodies was developed by some of the top bartenders in the city, to offer only the finest to be found.  Well, what could be finer than the exquisite Trader Tiki’s Vanilla Syrup, made with real vanilla beans!  The flavor is great in just about everything (even your morning coffee), and the little seeds at a whimsical character to your cocktails.

Finally, the syrups aren’t being stocked there (yet), but I had to mention Drinks over Dearborn in Chicago, IL.  Times are tough, and Kyle McHugh, the proprietor, is doing all he can to keep his head above water and the good booze a coming through the windy city.  Kyle was a fellow apprentice during last year’s Tales of the Cocktail, and really proved he not only knows his stuff, but can put his body through just about everything to get the job done.  He’s got a campaign running on facebook right now called 500 Benjamins or bust.  Just open an account at the store of $100 (or more), and the store will remain to sell another day, and you get a 5% off on future purchases, and exclusive events for Benjamins participators.  Head to the DoD store to be a Benjamin today!