Today’s first pick in The 2024 PopCult Gift Guide is this year’s selection of cool mugs from the world of Tiki.

Perfect for fans of Mid-Century artificial multiculturalism that’s loads of fun and looks really cool. It’s exotic without worrying about being authentic, as Polynesian influences mingle with Caribbean, African, Chinese, beach and nautical ephemera to create a universe of stuff that just looks really cool.

Today it’s Tiki Mugs, from six different sources with a variety of price points. Links to order will be in the prices below the name of the mug.

We’ve been recommending Tiki Mugs for a few years, and I thought about maybe skipping them this year, but folks who email me about the Gift Guide keep asking me when I’m doing the Tiki Mugs this year, and there does seem to be a bumper crop of them, so here we go…

BARCONIC® TIKI DRINKWARE – COBRA 16 OUNCE
$9.95

Slither up some cocktails and keep your guest entertained with this fun Cobra Tiki Glass. This snake themed tiki is designed to look just like a king cobra snake. It features a highly detailed scaled design all down the back and front of the glass giving the feeling that you’re touching real snake skin.

The front of the glass features two yellow eyes and a yellow nose with fangs and a long split tongue. It stands 7″ tall and has a base diameter of 3.5″. The capacity of this glass is 16 ounces.

“No Step On Snek” is good advice, but drinking from one should be okay.

MONDO Jaws Tiki – Get Out of the Water Variant
$70

Just when you thought it was safe to close out your tab, the Jaws tiki returns in a bloody good new color variant. Bigger than ever, this new mug holds 26 ounces of chum (or rum, or whatever else you’d like fill him with).

With this giant mug, you can get plenty drunk in time for the 50th anniversary of JAWS in a year or two.

Tiki Farm DRUM OF THE FOREFATHERS – RAINFOREST GREEN
$35

Designed by Canadian born and raised, Tank Standing Buffalo, the Drum of the Forefathers mug is inspired by a vintage Edgar Leeteg painting entitled “The Tahitian Drummer”. This was one of Tank’s very first commission designs he did for Tiki Farm and they decided to do a second limited run of them in two colorways of 250 each.

The four (4) tikis featured on the mug are inspired by original Tiki imagery as it relates to Trader Vic, Don the Beachcomber, Thor Heyerdahl and Edgar Leeteg. Hence, the name, “Drum of the Forefathers”.

Glazed in a beautiful 2-tonal direction of rainforest green and rich tan, the hand glazed detailing of this mug makes it a very special mug indeed.I’m recommending the green one, but you may prefer Cinnamon Brown.  This Tiki mug measures 7 1/4″ in height and has a 23 ounce capacity.

Trader Vic’s SPOTTED PEACOCK-TAIL
$46

For this I will quote from Trader Vic’s Facebook page, “Meet our new Spotted Peacock-Tail Mug—perfect for your next Cock-tail party. It holds a generous 18 ounces of tropical refreshment Ready to make it yours? Fly by Trader Vic’s and get spotted with this stunning sipper!’

The sculpt is great on this one, but it’s the colors that really pop. This is a real eye-catching mug.

Munktiki Imports – Reverse Mermaid
$45

From designer Darik Maasen comes the Reverse Mermaid.;A Fish head with a human body! This is a wonderfully weird sculpt, with plenty of detail.

The Mermaid stands (or sits) about about 6 inches tall and holds 20oz. This mug is available with the strategically-placed starfish and shell done in two colors, red and gold. Even with a fish head, a lady needs to preserve her modesty.

Tikiland Trading Co Thor’s Parrots of the Caribbean Tiki Mug
$70

For this one, I’m going to quote the website:

AVAST! Thar be a piratey parody to hoist yer favorite libation to in port!

His colors mimic the warm antiquity of an old world treasure map….and you can’t but help wanting a share of the Hawaiian gold coins this swashbuckler has plundered and perched upon!

With his grin so cheeky and peg leg a Tiki…he’s sure to inspire some Yo Ho’s and sea shanties to your own home bar!

This mug is about 9.25 inches tall and holds about 16 oz. The sculpt and paint detail are amazing.