Updated June 8, 2023
Jump to the cocktails: Quarts & gallons to go | Reviews and recipes
UPCOMING EVENT
The Hukilau 2023 countdown: Full schedule and updates as 21st Tiki weekender approaches
The East Coast’s largest Tiki weekender blows ashore like a Category 5 storm, featuring top names in the tropical cocktail world, live surf and exotica bands, more than 30 vendors, educational symposiums, plus more.
>>> LATEST NEWS, EVENT PREVIEW | SEE THE FULL SCHEDULE
THE MAI-KAI AT THE HUKILAU
Attendees will taste a classic cocktail on Thursday and enjoy a symposium from “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller on Friday. Saturday will feature a Molokai Girls reunion and Polynesian dance performance. On Sunday, we bid The Hukilau farewell with a Barrel O’ Rum.
* Click here for a full preview, including the new Shrunken Skull shirt
UPDATED REVIEWS AND RECIPES
As featured at The Hukilau 2023: Cobra’s Kiss | Barrel O’ Rum
LATEST REFURBISHMENT NEWS
The structural footprint of the historic South Florida restaurant changed dramatically with the demolition of a long-dormant building. Meanwhile, work accelerated restoring the vintage dining rooms and rebuilding the back of house.
>>> EXCLUSIVE NEWS, PHOTOS AND VIDEO
Detailed recaps: Bora Bora Room removed
Dining rooms return to vintage glory | Work begins on new bar and kitchen
Previous coverage: Behind the scenes at The-Mai-Kai as restoration ramps up in 2023
The Mai-Kai officially begins work on first phase of $8.5 million renovation projects
PREVIOUS STORIES ON THE BLOG
EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS: Behind the scenes at The-Mai-Kai as restoration ramps up in 2023
With work accelerating on the exterior, craftsmen meticulously restore the historic South Florida restaurant’s elaborately themed interior guest areas in exacting detail.
>>> LATEST NEWS ON THE RENOVATIONS
>>> REBUILDING PARADISE: Typhoon Tommy leads restoration efforts
The Mai-Kai officially begins work on first phase of $8.5 million renovation projects
With three key building permits in hand, the new ownership group is finally moving full-steam ahead on major construction projects that will restore and reshape the historic Polynesian restaurant.
QUARTS AND GALLONS TO GO
The Mai-Kai takeout cocktails return in 2023
While we await the completion of refurbishments and the grand reopening, The Mai-Kai’s famous tropical cocktails will be available on various dates throughout the year. You can also pick up bottles of the restaurant’s signature rum and new Rum Barrel T-shirts!
2023 takeout menu (prices include tax)
* Barrel O’ Rum (gallon $95, quart $30)
* Black Magic (gallon $95, quart $30)
* Mai Tai (gallon $142, quart $40)
* Jet Pilot (gallon $156, quart $44)
* The Real McCoy 12-year-old Distillers Proof Mai-Kai Blend (750 ML bottle $85.60)
Limited release Rum Barrel T-shirts
Designed by California-based artist Eric October, these screen-printed vintage black shirts come in both men’s and women’s (pictured) styles. The image of the iconic drink, which will be featured on The Mai-Kai’s new menu, was hand painted and reproduced using nine colors to retain the richness of the original artwork. The shirts are a premium tri-blend (cotton/poly/rayon) that is soft and comfortable. The shirts are available in limited supplies, available only for pickup at The Mai-Kai.
* Men’s: Medium through XL ($35), 2X-3X ($38)
* Women’s (crew style with baby rib collar): Small through XL ($35), 2X ($38)
Upcoming pickup dates TBD
Please drink responsibly. Okole maluna!
The Mai-Kai official sites and social media
* MaiKai.com | MaiKaiTradingPost.com
Twitter | Facebook: Official page | Friends of The Mai-Kai group
Instagram: Restaurant | The Molokai bar | Trading Post
RENOVATIONS & REOPENING PAST COVERAGE
New details on The Mai-Kai renovations, new merchandise revealed at Inuhele 2023 in Atlanta
New images and renderings of the historic restaurant’s multimillion-dollar refurbishment unveiled during presentation at Tiki weekender. Attendees also got a sneak preview of new mugs and other merchandise along with a new signature rum.
Historic preservation board approves The Mai-Kai’s renovation plans, clearing way for project to move forward
Landmark Polynesian restaurant allowed to remove old building, make other enhancements in sweeping plan to reimagine 66-year-old, 2.7-acre property.
The Mai-Kai turns 66 as work progresses on multiple renovation projects
There are many reasons to be hopeful that the 67th anniversary in 2023 will be the first since 2019 when we’ll once again be able to gather inside the historic Fort Lauderdale restaurant to appreciate its grandeur and beauty.
The Mai-Kai’s new owner reveals renovation plans during The Hukilau
Tiki enthusiasts get preview of refurbishment of the 65-year-old landmark during discussion at annual event in June.
The Mai-Kai’s renovation plans include reimagined entryway, new event space
When The Mai-Kai completes a multimillion-dollar renovation, guests of the historic restaurant will be treated to several major enhancements, including a more immersive arrival experience and a new banquet hall.
The Mai-Kai fans rejoice as new partnership paves way for reopening
Everything you need to know about the historic restaurant’s new join ownership deal that will include at least $5 million in renovations.
Exclusive photos: The Mai-Kai through the eyes of The Hukilau villagers
See images from the annual Tiki weekender shared by loyal fans.
MORE NEWS: Check out our archive of past stories
Recent cocktail reviews and updates
The Mai-Kai’s deadly Zombie resurrected for Halloween, along with mysterious legend
The iconic cocktail was available for the first time since the historic restaurant closed after an October 2020 storm, and for the first time in takeout quarts and gallons.
Follow our never-ending journey through the classic cocktail menu at The Mai-Kai in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., with exclusive tribute recipes, newly uncovered ancestor recipes for lost classics, plus new special features. Check back often and be sure to click on the reviews to add your own ratings and comments.
JUMP BELOW
This guide: Okole Maluna Society introduction
The drinks: Cocktail rankings, reviews, recipes
Lost cocktails: Retired drink reviews, ratings, recipes
At The Mai-Kai: List of drinks on the current menu
SEE ALSO: All 100+ Mai-Kai cocktail recipes | All 200+ Atomic Grog recipes
RECENT COCKTAIL NEWS, UPDATES
VIDEO: Spike’s Breezeway Cocktail Hour on YouTube
Friday, Oct. 8: A tribute to The Mai-Kai Swizzle | Atomic Grog review, recipe
Friday, Oct. 1: A tribute to The Mai-Kai’s Barrel O’ Rum | Atomic Grog review, recipe
The Mutiny is a worthy foe in the battle of the tropical titans
A companion to the Black Magic, this tropical drink created by Mariano Licudine is a classic in its own right.
>>> See the history, review and recipes
Tribute to The Mai-Kai’s Mutiny, version 3.0
VIDEO: The Mutiny on Spike’s Breezeway Cocktail Hour
The classic Demerara Float rises again … and again
Check out the updates to our review of The Mai-Kai’s Demerara Float, plus complete back-story of this classic.
VIDEO: Demerara Float featured on Spike’s Breezeway
Mai-Kai cocktail review: The Black Magic emerges from the darkness as a true classic
Inspired by one of The Mai-Kai’s Gallons To Go, we’ve mixed up a new version of this classic Tiki cocktail.
VIDEO: The Atomic Grog on Spike’s Breezeway Cocktail Hour
ATOMIC GROG INTERVIEWS, SYMPOSIUMS
VIDEO: Deconstructing Kohala Bay
Hurricane Hayward joined the Austin Rum Society online to reveal several new rum blends that hope to duplicate The Mai-Kai’s late, great dark Jamaican mixing rum. In the video below, we also enjoyed a Rum Barrel featuring the new recipe and discussed the history of The Mai-Kai …
The Rums of The Mai-Kai symposium on Inside the Desert Oasis Room
Mahalo to Adrian Eustaquio and Inside the Desert Oasis Room for documenting the presentation featuring Hurricane Hayward and Matt Pietrek of Cocktail Wonk live on stage at The Mai-Kai during the closing festivities of The Hukilau 2019.
* See the event preview
More on the rums of The Mai-Kai
* The history of the potent, funky flavors from Guyana and Jamaica
* Demerara rum – The Mai-Kai’s secret weapon
THE OKOLE MALUNA SOCIETY
The Mai-Kai in Fort Lauderdale is widely recognized as having perhaps the best authentic tropical drinks in the world. The cocktail menu remains virtually unchanged since its opening in 1956 and most of the classic recipes date back to the original Tiki drinks invented by Don the Beachcomber in the 1930s and ’40s.
In the early years, The Mai-Kai had a club called the Okole Maluna (pronounced Oh-koh-lay Mah-loo-nah) Society. Okole Maluna is a traditional Hawaiian toast that means “bottom’s up!” To become a member of the society, you had to sample every one of the drinks on the menu and have them checked off your membership card. Once you joined the club, you were given access to a special off-menu drink. See more on the society and the menu on Swanky’s Mai-Kai history site.
The society no longer exists, but we’re resurrecting it here on The Atomic Grog. We’ve sampled all the current drinks and have ranked them below on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Following the rankings you’ll also find the drinks listed by category as they appear on the menu. For 52 weeks, from June 2011 until June 2012, we posted detailed reviews (with photos) of all the cocktails on the menu, plus a few off the menu, as well as some classics that are no longer offered. They’re all listed below with hyperlinks to the reviews and an archive of 99 recipes. In the ensuring years, we’ve continually posted updates and new recipes, keeping this guide fresh and up-to-date.
This online guide serves two useful purposes. It gives Mai-Kai patrons a richly detailed and authoritative tool to help choose a cocktail, and also offer feedback. There’s a poll to every drink that lets you rate them, in addition to leaving comments. It’s also an essential resource for home mixologists, giving Tiki drink aficionados exclusive access to a vast archive of recipes.
These include some authentic Mai-Kai recipes along with “tribute” drinks from The Atomic Grog and others in the Tiki community. But many of the true recipes remain a puzzle. You see, the aura of these mysterious drinks is created by the fact that they’re for the most part top-secret recipes (in the tradition of Don the Beachcomber) that have never been revealed. The cocktails are created in back bars, away from public view. We’ve also included many of the original Donn Beach recipes that inspired The Mai-Kai’s legendary mixologist, Mariano Licudine.
We’ll be continually enhancing this guide with new recipes, history, photos and behind-the-scene stories, so be sure to check the links at the top of the page. We hope to pay homage to The Mai-Kai, a one-of-a-kind mid-century marvel, and its amazing cocktails that top even those at the trendiest craft cocktail bar today.
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THE ATOMIC GROG’S MAI-KAI DRINK RATINGS
(Click on hyperlinks for full reviews and recipes)
{recipe}= Official recipe / {ancestor} = Ancestor recipe / {tribute} = Tribute recipe
DOWNLOAD: Printable checklist of the ratings (PDF)
5 stars
1 – Zombie (strong) {ancestors / tribute}
4 1/2 stars
2 – Shark Bite (medium)
{ancestor / tribute}
3 – 151 Swizzle (strong)
{ancestor / tribute}
4 – Special Planters Punch (strong) {ancestor / tribute}
4 stars
5 – Barrel O’ Rum (strong) {recipe / tribute}
6 (tie) – Sidewinder’s Fang (strong) {ancestor}
Mystery Drink (strong) {ancestor}
7 – Jet Pilot (strong) {ancestors / tribute}
8 – Cobra’s Kiss (medium) {ancestor / tribute}
9 – Rum Julep (medium) {ancestor / tribute}
10 – Mutiny (strong) {tribute}
11 – Shrunken Skull (strong) {ancestor / official / tribute}
12 – Yeoman’s Grog (strong) {ancestor / tribute}
13 – The Hukilau (strong) {tribute}
3 1/2 stars
14 – Black Magic (strong) {tribute}
15 – Mai Tai (strong) {tribute}
16 – Suffering Bastard (strong) {tribute}
17 – Piña Passion (medium) {ancestor / tribute}
18 – Samoan Grog (mild)
{ancestor / tribute}
19 – Zula #1 and #2 (strong)
{ancestor / tributes}
20 – K.O. Cooler (strong)
{ancestors / tribute}
21 – Special Reserve Daiquiri (medium)
{ancestor / tribute}
22 – S.O.S. (mild) {ancestor / tribute}
23 – Deep Sea Diver (medium)
{ancestor / tribute}
24 – Moonkist Coconut (medium) {recipe}
25 – Bora Bora (strong) {ancestor / tribute}
26 – Hidden Pearl (medium)
{ancestor / tribute}
27 – Tahitian Breeze (medium) {ancestors / tribute}
28 – Mara-Amu (medium) {recipe}
29 (tie) – Chocolate Snowflake (after dinner) {tribute}
Mai-Kai Blizzard (after dinner) {tribute}
3 stars
30 – Kona Coffee Grog (after dinner) {ancestor}
31 – Hot Buttered Rum (after dinner) {tribute}
32 – Oh So Deadly (mild) {ancestor / tribute}
33 – Piña Colada (medium) {ancestor/tribute}
34 – Martinique Milk Punch (mild) {ancestor / tribute}
35 – Malayan Mist (mild) {ancestor}
36 – Mai-Kai Special (mild) {tribute}
37 – Mai-Kai Swizzle (mild) {tribute}
38 – Floridita Daiquiri (mild) {recipe}
39 – Derby Daiquiri (mild) {recipe}
40 – Gardenia Lei (after dinner) {ancestor}
2 1/2 stars
41 – Banana Daiquiri (mild) {recipe}
42 – Strawberry Daiquiri (mild) {tribute}
2 stars
43 – Planters Punch (medium) {ancestor}
44 – Tahitian Coffee (after dinner) {ancestor}
45 – Wahine Delight (after dinner) *** {ancestor}
46 – Mai-Kai Cappuccino
*** = Moved to the dessert menu in May 2018
* Demerara Float (4.5)
{ancestor / recipe / tribute}
* Big Bamboo (4) {recipe}
* Demerara Cocktail (3 1/2)
{recipe / tribute}
* Dr. Fong (3 1/2) {ancestors / tribute}
* Hanalei Bay (3 1/2) {ancestor / tribute}
* Last Rites (3 1/2) {ancestor / recipe / tribute}
* Liquid Gold (3 1/2) {ancestor / tribute}
* Impatient Virgin (3) {ancestor / tribute}
* Island Queen (3) {ancestor / tribute}
* Martinique Cocktail (3) {ancestor}
* Tiki Swizzle (3) {recipe}
* Cuban Daiquiri (2 1/2) {ancestor/tribute}
See also: Fog Cutter and Singapore Sling
* Read more about The Mai-Kai’s “lost cocktails”
Disclaimers: These ratings are based on Hurricane Hayward’s own personal tastes. He tends to prefer strong, complex drinks with a unique flavor profile. Aside from perhaps the bottom three or four, they’re all highly recommended and sure to please imbibers with different tastes. The top three are remarkable, and the top 10 are all worthy of the Tiki drink hall of fame. But please, consume with caution, they’re all very potent.
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THE MAI-KAI TROPICAL DRINK MENU
(Our ratings in parentheses, 1-5 stars)
(Click on hyperlinks for full reviews and recipes)
2018 update: The Mai-Kai updates bar menu, adds classic ‘lost’ cocktail
* See the official online menu
STRONG
* Zombie (5) {ancestors / tribute}
* 151 Swizzle (4 1/2) {ancestor / tribute}
* Special Planters Punch (4 1/2) {ancestor / tribute}
* Barrel O’ Rum (4) {recipe / tribute}
* Sidewinder’s Fang (4) {ancestor}
* Mystery Drink (4) {ancestor}
* Jet Pilot (4) {ancestors / tribute}
* Shrunken Skull (4) {ancestor / official / tribute}
* Yeoman’s Grog (4) {ancestor / tribute}
* The Hukilau (4) {tribute}
* Black Magic (3 1/2) {tribute}
* Suffering Bastard (3 1/2) {tribute}
* Zula #1 and #2 (3 1/2) {ancestor / tributes}
* K.O. Cooler (3 1/2) {ancestors / tribute}
* Bora Bora (3) {ancestor / tribute}
MEDIUM
* Shark Bite (4 1/2) {ancestor / tribute}
* Cobra’s Kiss (4) {ancestor / tribute}
* Rum Julep (4) {ancestor / tribute}
* Piña Passion (3 1/2) {ancestor / tribute}
* Special Reserve Daiquiri (3 1/2) {ancestor / tribute}
* Deep Sea Diver (3 1/2) {ancestor / tribute}
* Moonkist Coconut (3 1/2) {recipe}
* Hidden Pearl (3 1/2) {ancestor / tribute}
* Tahitian Breeze (3 1/2) {ancestors / tribute}
* Piña Colada (3) {ancestor/tribute}
* Planters Punch (2) {ancestor}
MILD
* Samoan Grog (3 1/2) {ancestor / tribute}
* S.O.S. (3 1/2) {ancestor / tribute}
* Oh So Deadly (3) {ancestor / tribute}
* Martinique Milk Punch (3) {ancestor / tribute}
* Malayan Mist (3) {ancestor}
* Mai-Kai Special (3) {tribute}
* Mai-Kai Swizzle (3) {tribute}
* Floridita Daiquiri (3) {recipe}
* Derby Daiquiri (3) {recipe}
* Banana Daiquiri (2 1/2) {recipe}
* Strawberry Daiquiri (2 1/2) {tribute}
AFTER DINNER
* Chocolate Snowflake (3 1/2) {tribute}
* Mai-Kai Blizzard (3 1/2) {tribute}
* Kona Coffee Grog (3) {ancestor}
* Hot Buttered Rum (3) {tribute}
* Gardenia Lei (3) {ancestor}
* Tahitian Coffee (2) {ancestor}
* Mai-Kai Cappuccino (2)
Moved to the dessert menu in May 2018: Wahine Delight (2) {ancestor}
Related: See all the drinks organized by ancestry
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MAHALOS
* The entire Thornton family, manager Kern Mattei, marketing director Pia Dahlquist and everyone else at The Mai-Kai. Your dedication is inspiring.
* Author Jeff “Beachbum Berry,” my mixology guru, whose research provided many of the recipes above.
* Historian Tim “Swanky” Glazner, who keeps the stories and spirit of The Mai-Kai alive for future generations.
* The Hukilau, which gave me my entre to this wonderful world.
* And last but not least: My beautiful wife, and all my friends and associates who have joined me at The Mai-Kai during my “research.”
Okole maluna!
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MORE RESOURCES
DOWNLOADS
* Printable checklist of The Atomic Grog’s Mai-Kai cocktail ratings (PDF)
* Printable checklist of The Mai-Kai cocktail ancestry (PDF)
Join The Grogalizer!
Our tribute recipes are being added to the essential database of Tiki cocktail reviews. Help boost our ratings. It’s quick and easy to sign up.
* Go to The Grogalizer now
Mai-Kai: History and Mystery of the Iconic Tiki Restaurant
The definitive book on the historic Fort Lauderdale Tiki temple by Tim “Swanky” Glazner was released in September 2016. Get your copy now!
* Official website | Facebook page
More photos, stories
* 1958-59: The Okole Maluna Society
* Mariano Licudine – “The Houdini of the Liquids”
* Historic mugs | Postcards | Swank Pad
* Facebook: Calendar girls | Postcards
More special features
* The Mai-Kai is here to stay: 10 reasons why we love the historic restaurant
* Mai-Kai tropical drink family tree
* Heeeeeeere’s the rich history and lost stories of The Mai-Kai
* Tour of The Mai-Kai’s mysterious bars and kitchen (with photos)
* Interview with General Manager Kern Mattei
* The 12 Days of Christmas, Mai-Kai style
Explore The Mai-Kai in 3-D | Captured by Google in May 2016
PAST MAI-KAI COVERAGE, SPECIAL FEATURES
The Hukilau 2022: Daily recap, photos and video
The 19th Tiki weekender featured four days of live music, educational seminars, cocktails and rum tastings, plus lots more.
Hulaween on hiatus: Relive 12 years of madness at The Mai-Kai
With the Tiki temple closed for refurbishment, the annual Halloween bash was canceled. But that won’t stop us from taking a look back at the past 12 years of madness in The Molokai bar.
Tiki Marketplace offers a taste of The Mai-Kai
The July 18 event featured vintage art and collectibles, food trucks, plus authentic Mai-Kai cocktails and entertainment.
The Mai-Kai hosts first Tiki Marketplace featuring vendors, entertainers, cocktails, rum tasting and more
The historic restaurant may be closed for repairs, but a new event took advantage of the large parking lot for a safe and fun-filled day featuring the generous spirit of ‘ohana.
Thousands of fans unite to show support for The Mai-Kai during closing
More than 10,000 signed a petition and thousands flooded social media channels.
The Mai-Kai celebrates 64th anniversary under the moon as challenges loom
Check out all the details on The Mai-Kai’s sold-out 64th anniversary party.
The Hukilau 2021: Daily recap, photos and video
The Hukilau returned to the picturesque Fort Lauderdale area oceanfront for an 18th time Sept. 16-19 for four days of Polynesian Pop paradise in America’s vacationland.
The Mai-Kai celebrates Hulaween 2020 with drive-in movie party after closing for renovations
The historic Polynesian restaurant transported revelers to a socially-distanced celebration like no other, including an appearance by Appleton Rum’s Joy Spence.
The Mai-Kai re-releases signature rum, plus new glassware and spirits menu
Check out our tasting notes on The Real McCoy 12-year-old Distillers Proof Mai-Kai Blend, plus cocktail recipes, the new rum menu and the updated cocktail menu.
The Hukilau 2020: Virtual events honor 19th annual Tiki weekender, help those in need
Villagers paid homage to the canceled Tiki weekender with educational symposiums, a special virtual event at The Mai-Kai, plus more.
* See video replays, all of the activities
Cocktail quarts join gallons as The Mai-Kai expands takeout menu
Check out the full coverage of how The Mai-Kai made out during the pandemic, from developing unique take-out offerings to reopening to the public under social distancing rules.
Hurricane Hayward on Inside the Desert Oasis Room
Listen to the “Covid Chronicles” episode recorded live with Adrian Eustaquio as The Atomic Grog blogger made his way to The Mai-Kai to pick up Gallons to Go.
Photos: 10 highlights from The Hukilau 2019 in Fort Lauderdale
Take a look back at the five days of festivities at Pier Sixty-Six and The Mai-Kai with dozens of photos and many memorable moments, plus two bonus cocktail recipes.
What we learned at Appleton master blender Joy Spence’s rum tasting
What could possibly be better than an Appleton Estate rum tasting at The Mai-Kai? How about the first-ever such event at the historic Polynesian palace hosted by Joy Spence, the longtime master blender for the venerable Jamaican brand synonymous with pure premium rum. Check out our full recap and photos, including 5 things you might not know about Joy Spence, 12 things we learned about how Appleton rum is made, and how she wants you to experience Appleton Estate rums.
Recipe: Joy Spence’s favorite rum cocktail
The Mai-Kai Walking Tour on Marooned: A Texas Tiki Podcast
Join The Atomic Grog for a Mai-Kai history lesson with carver Will Anders and manager Kern Mattei. It’s a real Tiki museum audio walking tour.
Previous stories: New giant carved Tiki added to outdoor garden
‘King Kai’ leads procession of new Tikis into The Mai-Kai
Demerara Rum – The Mai-Kai’s Secret Weapon
The Atomic Grog was pleased to present a special happy-hour talk during The Mai-Kai Takeover event in January 2019, presented by the Magical Tiki Meet-Up and Retro Rekindled. Click here to check out our full event recap, including photos and highlights of our Demerara rum discussion.
See also: Rums of The Mai-Kai include potent, funky flavors from Guyana and Jamaica
The Atomic Grog on Marooned: A Texas Tiki Podcast
Listen to Hurricane Hayward and Texas Tiki and cocktail podcaster David Phantomatic in the Samoa Room at The Mai-Kai as they discuss (what else) the historic tropical drinks and influence of South Florida’s Polynesian Palace. The podcast is also available on all major podcasting platforms: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher.
Okole Maluna Cocktail Academy: How to Mix Like The Mai-Kai
Tips and techniques from Hurricane Hayward of The Atomic Grog for turning your home bar into a Tiki cocktail paradise. Check out highlights from the sold-out class at The Hukilau 2018.
The Hukilau 2018 recap: Images from the whirlwind Tiki weekend in Fort Lauderdale
The Atomic Grog explores 60 years of Tiki cocktail history
More than 100 Tiki explorers took a trip through time, from 1956 to the present day, via the lavish tropical drink menus of the world famous Mai-Kai restaurant in Fort Lauderdale during The Hukilau on Sunday, June 11, 2017.
More past news, events
* The living dead came to party at The Mai-Kai’s Hulaween 2019 luau
* The Hukilau preview party: The Surfrajettes return to The Mai Kai
* Florida bartender wins Chairman’s Reserve Mai Tai Challenge at The Mai-Kai
* Hulaween 2018: Back from the Dead – 10th Anniversary Reunion
* The Mai-Kai updates bar menu, adds classic ‘lost’ cocktail
* Photos: Monstrous mayhem at the ninth annual Hulaween party at The Mai-Kai
* The Mai-Kai is here to stay: 10 reasons why we love the historic South Fla. restaurant
* New giant carved Tiki added to The Mai-Kai’s outdoor garden for 60th anniversary
* The Mai-Kai turns 60 with history presentations, celebration
* ‘King Kai’ leads procession of new Tikis into The Mai-Kai
* A Fifth of Grog: ‘Boozy’ blog celebrates fifth anniversary
* The Mai-Kai turns 60 with special history presentations, celebration
* Miami Rum Festival party and Santero’s Elixir cocktail recipe
* The Mai-Kai competes in “The Art of Tiki” at SoBeWFF | Pupule Punch recipe
* New Mai-Kai mugs released, history book coming
* The undead get lively at The Mai-Kai’s seventh annual Hulaween party
* Three classic ‘lost cocktails’ drop in for a night of flights at The Mai-Kai
* A ghastly good time at The Mai-Kai’s sixth annual Hulaween party
* Special event takes guests on a flight back to classic Potions of the Caribbean
* Artists pay tribute to The Mai-Kai with one-of-a-kind mugs
* Historic Mai-Kai celebrated, new cocktail menu unveiled at anniversary party
* Partygoers raise hell at The Mai-Kai’s fifth annual Hulaween
* Hulaween was hoppin’ all night at The Mai-Kai
* Mini Mai-Kai Mystery Bowl offers scaled-down version of a classic
* Cocktail flights soar at Mai-Kai Mixer, reveal revolutionary use of rums
* Mai-Kai Mixer shakes up South Florida with rockin’ retro cocktail party
Past media coverage
* Flaming knives, deadly rum and Pupu platters: Why Mai-Kai is still a tiki legend
* Critiki’s ten best Tiki bars in the world, 2017
* Recreating the Mai-Kai’s bizarre Black Magic cocktail
* A tour of the iconic Mai-Kai Tiki bar
* At Fort Lauderdale’s Mai-Kai, it’s always Tiki time
This looks awesome, I have been several times and had maybe 7 or so of the drinks, but I always get overwhelmed. I am looking forward to this!
Thanks!
Gil in Oakland
Thanks Gil. We’ve been a little backed up since Hukilau but we’ll be posting our first reviews this weekend.
That is some fun history about the Mai-Kai. Thanks for sharing, and I look forward to reading all of your reviews!
I went to the Mai-Kai for my 21st birthday and I had their Hidden Pearl. I really liked it, but I haven’t been able to find the recipe at all. I saw that you had recipes for some of their drinks and wondered if you knew the recipe for their hidden pearl?
Nicole, thanks for writing and we’re glad you enjoyed The Mai-Kai. The Hidden Pearl is an excellent drink for “newbies” :>)
We don’t have the authentic recipe since these are closely guarded secrets, but we do have the “ancestor” recipe that the Mai-Kai’s version is based on. It’s very similar and just as tasty.
It’s not due to be posted on the blog until later, but we’ll e-mail it to you so you can try it out.
Mahalo!
Nicole,
Our Hidden Pearl review is now posted. It includes a new tribute recipe you can make at home:
http://www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/blog/2012/02/16/mai-kai-cocktail-review-hidden-pearl-reveals-a-long-lost-craft/
Have had many of the drinks. Added the Deep Sea Diver this weekend at the Hukilau. We should try to resurrect the THE OKOLE MALUNA SOCIETY, i think the concept is great. Would also be great for the restaurant. Maybe get some small little passport booklets made. Have the waitresses sign off on it. Then induct someone into the club like they do at the Smugglers cove in San fran with an official fez… Im in on that!
Gianni, I totally agree … with the possible exception of the fez :>|
I’ll work on it. Mahalo for your support.
Let me know if you need any help… been a designer for more than 15 years, wouldn’t mind to contribute to this idea.
Gibbs Rum is the MOST DELICIOUS ADDITION!!