Mai-Kai Cocktail Recipes

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

Updated August 2023
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)

NEW & UPDATED

Lost Cocktails of The Mai-Kai: Classic Daiquiri lost favor when Cuba fell, but influence endures UPDATED
Revisit The Mai-Kai’s version of a classic, including a recentily unveiled recipe that links back to Don the Beachcomber.
>>> UPDATED HISTORY & REVIEW | NEW: AUTHENTIC RECIPE

The Derby Daiquiri: The Mai-Kai’s ‘$100,000 drink’ is worth its weight in gold UPDATED
A deep dive into the fascinating history of the cocktail that made The Mai-Kai and its head mixologist famous.
>>> UPDATED HISTORY, REVIEW AND MORE
NEW: Tribute recipe | The Derby Daiquiri on Spike’s Breezeway Cocktail Hour

CURRENT AUTHENTIC RECIPES (7)

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

RETIRED AUTHENTIC RECIPES (6)

Big Bamboo
Cuban Daiquiri
Demerara Cocktail
Demerara Float
Last Rites
Tiki Swizzle

ANCESTOR RECIPES (33)

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
Samoan Grog
Shark Bite

Shrunken Skull
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

RETIRED ANCESTOR RECIPES (9)

Demerara Float
Dr. Fong (2)

Hanalei Bay
Impatient Virgin
Island Queen
Last Rites
Liquid Gold
Martinique Cocktail

TRIBUTE RECIPES (36)

151 Swizzle
Barrel O’ Rum
Black Magic

Bora Bora
Chocolate Snowflake
Cobra’s Kiss
Deep Sea Diver
Derby Daiquiri
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
Piña Passion
Rum Julep
Samoan Grog
Shark Bite
Shrunken Skull
S.O.S.
Special Planters Punch
Special Reserve Daiquiri
Strawberry Daiquiri
Suffering Bastard
Tahitian Breeze
Yeoman’s Grog
Zombie
Zula #1 and #2 (2)

RETIRED TRIBUTE RECIPES (8)

Demerara Cocktail
Demerara Float
Dr. Fong
Hanalei Bay
Impatient Virgin
Island Queen
Last Rites
Liquid Gold

Special recipes (8)
1862 Rhum Punch (The Hukilau 2015)
Blood Island Green Potion #2 (Hulaween 2020)
Don Q Cocktail (Miami Rum Festival 2014)
Hamilton Navy Grog (Hamilton Rum master class, February 2019)
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: 107

Bonus recipes
The Real McCoy Shark Bite and Special Reserve Daiquiri
Joy Spence’s favorite rum cocktail

Okole maluna!

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Join 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

NEW: MAI-KAI RESTORATION GUIDE
Check out our new page for all the latest news, photos, video and deep details on the refurbishment and reopening of South Florida’s Polynesian Palace.
>>> COMPLETE COVERAGE FROM THE ATOMIC GROG

More on The Atomic Grog
* The Mai-Kai’s deadly Zombie resurrected for Halloween, along with mysterious legend
* What we learned at Appleton master blender Joy Spence’s rum tasting
* Okole Maluna Cocktail Academy: How to Mix Like The Mai-Kai
* The Mai-Kai updates bar menu, adds classic ‘lost’ cocktail
* Tiki bar of the week: The Molokai lounge
* 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
* Interview with General Manager Kern Mattei