The Best Mai Tais in Honolulu
These classic island cocktails deserve a spot in your hand when you’re seaside on Oahu. Whether you fall into Don the Beachcomber’s camp or Team Trader Vic when it comes to who introduced the cocktail, it’s safe to say everyone can agree on one thing: mai tais are synonymous with island living. Here are 10 establishments in Honolulu who are making mean tropical ‘tais to the delight of tourists and locals alike.
Moku Kitchen
Monkeypod Mai Tai, $12.50 The honey-lilikoi foam topper, made with fresh fruit purée and egg whites, is what makes this mai tai an island can’t-miss. Served at both Moku Kitchen in Honolulu and Monkeypod Kitchen in Ko Olina on Oahu’s west side, this blend of locally sourced ingredients, like Maui’s Old Lahaina rum and mac nut orgeat, make the Monkeypod Mai Tai a strong contender (both metaphorically and physically) for island best. Courtesy of Moku Kitchen
Hideout at the Laylow
Laylow “Hawaiian Style” Mai Tai, $15 The Hideout proudly serves their rendition of the classic Trader Vic recipe that can be traced back to 1944. The sweet blend of pineapple and lilikoi juice make it their own, and distinct ingredient layers paired with ornate garnish makes the final product worthy of an Instagram snap.
The Grove at Modern Honolulu
Deconstructed Mai Tai, $14 Created in 2010 by award-winning mixologist Christian Self, The Modern’s Deconstructed Mai Tai is a good example that sometimes the remix can be just as good as the original. A blend of Pyrat XO Rum and homemade French almond syrup, topped with a cap of mai tai foam, makes this mai tai mix up the perfect cool down from Honolulu heat. Courtesy of Miles Hospitality
House Without a Key
Halekulani’s Mai Tai, $14 A drink so popular the hotel shared their recipe online for guests to make at home, the Halekulani Mai Tai is trademarked by the use of three types of rum poured over freshly shaved ice, just like Victor Bergeron (aka Trader Vic) is reported to have used for his Tahitian guests in 1944. Courtesy of Halekulani
La Mariana
Mai Tai, $7 Dubbed Oahu’s “Original Tiki Bar,” La Mariana Sailing Club has been serving up mai tais in Honolulu since 1957. Using an original, top-secret blend of juices, plus a white and dark rum, this no-frills approach to the classic recipe is a must-try, if only to take in the impressive collection of Hawaiian memorabilia found throughout this dockside watering hole.
The Myna Bird Tiki Bar
Low Tai’d, $18 Specializing in cocktails that make you feel like you’ve saddled up to a tropical beach hut, The Myna Bird’s Low Tai’d sources its main ingredient from Kō Hana, a small Oahu-based rum distillery. Unlike other bars around town, Velvet Falernum is used in place of tropical juices, creating a buzz-worthy sip worth talking about. Courtesy of The Street Food Hall by Michael Mina/STRIPSTEAK Waikiki
Duke's Waikiki
Duke’s Mai Tai, $12 It only makes sense that this iconic spot on the Waikiki strip has its own rendition of the symbolic sip. Two types of rum and a mixture of pineapple, passionfruit, orange, and guava juices served in a Tiki glass and garnished with a parasol make it an instant vacation for patrons. Named for legendary surfer Duke Kahanamoku, the Barefoot Bar at Duke’s (located beachfront at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort) is the perfect spot to take in the views of Diamond Head Crater and the turquoise waters that have become synonymous with Waikiki Beach with a mai tai in hand. Courtesy of Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort
Bar Leather Apron
E Ho’o Pau Mai Tai, $18 Make a reservation at Bar Leather Apron for a drink and a show, and the talented craft cocktail connoisseurs behind the bar will take care of the rest. The E Ho’o Pau Mai Tai is the smokey cousin of the classic recipe created by incorporating raisin-infused El Dorado 5-year and 12-year rum with coconut water syrup, spiced orgeat, ohia, blossom honey, lime, and Absinthe, before being finished with Kiawe wood smoke. Need more convincing? It was voted the World’s Best Mai Tai by Justin Park in 2015. John Hook
Royal Hawaiian Mai Tai Bar
96 Degrees In The Shade, $15 Mad Men aficionados will recognize the all-pink-everything backdrop of this particular ‘tai from the season six opener as The Royal Hawaiian, the iconic rosy-hued hotel where Don and Meghan Draper honeymooned in Honolulu. From the beachside Mai Tai Bar, order 96 Degrees In The Shade, a frozen mai tai created by blending Captain Morgan with fresh pineapple-passionfruit purée, lime juice, orgeat, and mint. It’s topped with a dark rum floater that gives each sip equal parts frozen beverage and chest-warming booze. Not tingling your taste buds? There are six other unique blends on their exclusive mai tai menu to choose from! Courtesy of The Royal Hawaiian
Bill's Hawaii
Melbourne Mai Tai, $13 Bill’s Hawaii’s Melbourne Mai Tai is where travelers who seek to ease into the notoriously strong beverage will want to start. An absence of traditional layers, this mixed varietal of Flor de Cana Rum, Ancho Reyes, pineapple juice, and fresh lemon has a sugary sweet taste without the strong presence of alcohol. Courtesy of Bill's Hawaii Read the full article