Modern Caribbean Rum

Mai-Kai Cocktail Recipes

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

Updated March 2024
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

UPDATES: Tahitian Breeze | Dr. Fong

A tribute to The Mai-Kai's Barrel Before Christmas
A tribute to The Mai-Kai’s Barrel Before Christmas
The story behind the legendary Polynesian restaurant’s seasonal Rum Barrel, introduced in 2019.

From an early Mai-Kai cocktail menu
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

The Mai-Kai on a desolate stretch of Federal Highway shortly after its 1956 opening
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 (6)

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

Cocktails in The Molokai bar are timeless. This photo was probably taken decades ago, but it could have been yesterday
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)

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

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

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

The cover of a vintage Molokai bar menu
The cover of a vintage Molokai bar menu.

RETIRED ANCESTOR RECIPES (9)

Demerara Float
Dr. Fong (2)
Hanalei Bay
Impatient Virgin
Island Queen
Last Rites
Liquid Gold
Martinique Cocktail

A 1960s era coaster
A 1960s era coaster.

TRIBUTE RECIPES (37)

151 Swizzle
Barrel O’ Rum (2)
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

The Molokai Girls show off some of the many cocktails available in the bar in May 2016. (Courtesy of The Mai-Kai)
The Molokai Girls show off some of the many cocktails available in the bar in May 2016. (Courtesy of The Mai-Kai)

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)

Patrons enjoy a Mystery Drink in the 1960s
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

The Molokai girls serve up the Mutiny and the Mai-Kai Swizzle
The Molokai girls serve up the Mutiny and the Mai-Kai Swizzle. (Mai-Kai photo)

SPECIAL RECIPES (9)

1862 Rhum Punch (The Hukilau 2015)
The Black Magic Cocktail (Bonus tribute recipe)
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: 109

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

Okole maluna!

PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY!

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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.
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The Mai-Kai restoration guide
MAI-KAI RESTORATION GUIDE
Check out all the latest news, photos, video and deep details on the refurbishment and reopening of South Florida’s Polynesian Palace.

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

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