Mai-Kai Cocktail Recipes

Compiled by Hurricane Hayward / The Atomic Grog
(Click on hyperlinks for recipes, photos, home-bartending tips)

Updated May 13, 2019
This is a handy index of all the cocktails reviewed in our Mai-Kai Cocktail Guide. They’re listed alphabetically by source for easy reference. Check the guide and the links below for full details and more on these amazing drinks.
* Downloadable, printable checklist of our cocktail ratings (PDF)
* Downloadable, printable checklist of The Mai-Kai cocktail ancestry (PDF)

UPCOMING EVENTS: The Rums of The Mai-Kai at The Hukilau 2019

Hurricane Hayward of The Atomic Grog will take guests on an virtual journey to the Caribbean to learn about the key rums and styles that have dominated The Mai-Kai’s acclaimed cocktails for more than 60 years. He’ll be joined by rum expert Stephen Remsberg for an Okole Maluna Cocktail Academy class at Pier Sixty-Six hotel on June 8, and by Cocktail Wonk writer Matt Pietrek for an on-stage symposium at The Mai-Kai Grand Finale on June 9. Fans of vintage rum, Tiki mixology, and The Mai-Kai’s cocktails are advised to clear their calendars for these special events at The Hukilau 2019.
NEW: CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL PREVIEW AND TICKET INFO

Photos, recap: How to Mix Like The Mai-Kai cocktail class at Hukilau 2018

LISTEN: Texas Tiki Podcast
* Hear Hurricane Hayward talk about Mai-Kai cocktails

Now on The Grogalizer!
Some of The Mai-Kai tribute recipes have been 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

From an early Mai-Kai cocktail menu.

CURRENT AUTHENTIC RECIPES (7)

Banana Daiquiri
Barrel O’ Rum
Derby Daiquiri
Floridita Daiquiri
Mara-Amu
Moonkist Coconut
Shrunken Skull UPDATED

The Mai-Kai on a desolate stretch of Federal Highway shortly after its 1956 opening. It's now complete boxed in by development.

RETIRED AUTHENTIC RECIPES (5)

Big Bamboo
Demerara Cocktail
Demerara Float
Last Rites
Tiki Swizzle

ANCESTOR RECIPES (33)

Cocktails in The Molokai bar are timeless. This photo was probably taken decades ago, but it could have been yesterday. (Courtesy of The Mai-Kai)

151 Swizzle
Bora Bora
Cobra’s Kiss
Deep Sea Diver
Gardenia Lei
Hidden Pearl
Jet Pilot (2)
K.O. Cooler (2)
Kona Coffee Grog
Malayan Mist
Martinique Milk Punch
Mystery Drink
Oh So Deadly
Piña Passion
Planters Punch
Rum Julep

The cover of a vintage Molokai bar menu.

Samoan Grog
Shark Bite
Shrunken Skull NEW
Sidewinder’s Fang
S.O.S.
Special Planters Punch
Special Reserve Daiquiri
Tahitian Breeze (2)
Tahitian Coffee
Wahine Delight
Yeoman’s Grog
Zombie (2)
Zula #1 and #2

The Barrel O’ Rum is The Mai-Kai’s signature drink. (From The Mai-Kai’s Facebook page)

RETIRED ANCESTOR RECIPES (10)
Cuban Daiquiri
Demerara Float
Dr. Fong (2)
Hanalei Bay
Impatient Virgin
Island Queen
Last Rites
Liquid Gold
Martinique Cocktail

TRIBUTE RECIPES (33)

A 1960s era coaster.

151 Swizzle
Black Magic
Bora Bora
Chocolate Snowflake
Cobra’s Kiss
Deep Sea Diver
Hidden Pearl
Hot Buttered Rum
The Hukilau
Jet Pilot
K.O. Cooler
Mai-Kai Blizzard
Mai-Kai Special
Mai-Kai Swizzle
Mai Tai
Martinique Milk Punch
Mutiny
Oh So Deadly
Piña Colada
Rum Julep
Samoan Grog
Shark Bite
Shrunken Skull UPDATED
S.O.S.
Special Planters Punch
Special Reserve Daiquiri
Strawberry Daiquiri
Suffering Bastard
Tahitian Breeze
Yeoman’s Grog
Zombie
Zula #1 and #2 (2)

Patrons enjoy a Mystery Drink in the 1960s. (From The Mai-Kai’s Facebook page)

RETIRED TRIBUTE RECIPES (8)
Demerara Cocktail
Demerara Float
Dr. Fong
Hanalei Bay
Impatient Virgin
Island Queen
Last Rites
Liquid Gold

Special recipes (6)
* 1862 Rhum Punch (The Hukilau 2015)
* Don Q Cocktail (Miami Rum Festival 2014)
* Molokai Swizzle (“The Art of Tiki: A Cocktail Showdown” at SoBeWFF 2015)
* Pupule Punch (“The Art of Tiki: A Cocktail Showdown” at SoBeWFF 2016)
* Santero’s Elixir (2016 Miami Rum Festival party)
* Spicy Hula Girl (The Hukilau 2016)

Total: 102

The Mai-Kai online store
You can now order signature mugs and other merchandise online via the Trading Post’s new e-commerce app.
* Click here to order

PAST EVENT: Special event: ‘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 on Jan. 19, 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.