Sip of History: Tiki 101

Join Maite Gomez-Rejón of ArtBites and Shannon McHugh, long-term fellow at The Huntington, in an exciting new series exploring the history of libations. Grounded in history and culture, the class will use The Huntington’s art, ephemera, and landscapes to trace the long history of tiki, telling the stories of the myriad cultures at the heart of this popular movement, as well as California’s indelible role in its evolution.

The class begins in the galleries, where participants will discover the history of sugar and alcoholic spirits in colonial America. The group will then stroll through the Japanese Garden to talk about Western fantasies of faraway lands in the early and mid-20th century—a fascination that resulted in both Henry E. Huntington’s garden and the very first tiki bar, Don the Beachcomber—both of which opened in Los Angeles within a few years of each other. The class will then conclude with participants making two classic tiki cocktails—a Planter’s Punch and a daiquiri—while enjoying tropical-themed snacks.

Key Details:

• Participants must be 21 years of age or older to attend.
• This program will include about 45 minutes of walking to the Huntington Art Gallery and the Japanese Garden; comfortable shoes are suggested.
• Admission to The Huntington is included in the price of your ticket.

Day of Program:

• Please bring ticket confirmation with you.
• Check in with Education staff at Admission window #10 beginning at 3:30 p.m.

If you have any mobility issues, dietary concerns, or general program questions, please contact Joy Yamahata at jharding@huntington.org or 626-405-3457.