When the the Mai-Kai opened on the outskirts of Fort Lauderdale in 1956, the Polynesian restaurant quickly set a new standard for Tiki cocktails, earning fame for its reverential and original creations featuring fresh ingredients and perfectly balanced rum blends. This legacy continued for decades, even through a catastrophic back-of-house roof collapse that forced a four-year closing in late 2020.
A $20 million restoration engineered by a new ownership group led by historic preservationist Bill Fuller not only returned the vintage property and its cocktails to their high standards, it also gave the Mai-Kai the opportunity to create something most elite bar programs have never done.
To honor the legacy of the Mai-Kai and its cocktails, Fuller and his team sought to create their own heritage rum blend to bring authenticity to the iconic drinks the founders created. Years in the making, the result is Mai-Kai Old Style Special Rum No. 1, created in the Caribbean and bottled exclusively for use (and sale) at the South Florida restaurant.
New cocktail recipes below: Daiquiri No. 1 | Hammerhead Bite
The rum was released in November 2025, one year after the grand reopening. The road to the rum’s creation is long and winding, and the story is richly detailed. We’ll save that for a future blog post, but until then we’d like to share all the information you’ll need to appreciate this special spirit. The following FAQ was prepared in cooperation with the Mai-Kai and the rum’s marketing company, Roneros Rum Brand Makers.
More on The Atomic Grog
• Okole Maluna Society: The Mai-Kai Cocktail Guide
• Mai-Kai Restoration & Reopening Guide
MAI-KAI RUM NO. 1: Frequently asked questions
What is Mai-Kai Rum No. 1, aka Mai-Kai Old Style Special Rum Number 1?
A crafted, authentic blend in a mid-century style used to create the Mai-Kai’s cocktails by Mariano Licudine, master mixologist from 1956 to 1979. Dozens of his secret recipes are still featured at the restaurant today. Previous historic antecedents include the Dagger and Appleton punch rums. For more on those rums, check out this Atomic Grog story (last updated in 2021).
Where can I buy it?
It’s available exclusively in the Mai-Kai Trading Company gift shop, which is open daily during restaurant hours. If you’re making a special trip to buy the rum, you can tell the valet. Check MaiKai.com and our related Mai-Kai FAQ for details.
How much does it cost?
You’ll pay $75 for a 1-liter bottle, $400 for a case of six.
Is this a limited release?
No, it will continue to be available for purchase and featured in cocktails at the Mai-Kai.
Is it a “sipping” or “mixing” rum?
Both. While designed as the perfect mixing rum in Mai-Kai cocktails, the complex blend is also accessible as a sipper and should appeal to fans of both.
What does it taste like?
Balanced oaky richness with subtle notes of ripe, toasted banana and tropical fruit. The complexity of the historic blend is designed to complement the flavors of classic Tiki cocktails, as well as bold new creations.
Where does it come from?
The rums in the blend are sourced from the historic West Indies Rum Distillery in Barbados (est. 1893) and Long Pond Distillery in Jamaica (est. 1753). Master distiller Don Benn oversaw the blending at WIRD in Brighton Beach, Barbados. The rum is then shipped directly to Florida, where it is bottled with no additional modifications.
• More info at Mai-KaiRum.com
What makes Mai-Kai Rum No. 1 special?
Working with two iconic distilleries along with restored and rejuvenated stills used from the golden era of Tiki cocktails, this 100-proof blend features key marques, including the high-ester JAWS component from Barbados. The result is a rum with richness and flavor that works perfectly as a traditional style of rum made famous by the iconic Mai-Kai cocktails.
What’s the significance of the stylized bottle and box?
Both expand on the visual story and mystique of the Mai-Kai and Polynesian culture. The clear bottle, with a classic neck and a shoulder curve that mimics a soft tropical leaf, ends with an elaborated glass embellishment of orchids, a grass skirt and a stream to symbolize a lush Polynesian tropical forest.
The gift box encompasses tropical foliage, enshrouding it with fantastical settings of abundant nature. The jungle setting grows outward, supporting and expanding on the world of the Mai-Kai with lush, luxurious florals and waterfalls surrounding every element. The box also shares the story of the Mai-Kai founders and the relevance of Rum No. 1 to the cocktail program.
Can I taste it before I buy a bottle?
Yes, you can order a 2-ounce pour at the Molokai and Bora Bora bars for $18 (reduced to $9 during happy hour, 4 to 7 p.m. daily).
What Mai-Kai cocktails feature the rum?
Three drinks featuring Mai-Kai Rum No. 1 are Mai Tai No. 1 (by special request), Planter’s Punch, and Bora Bora. It’s also included in the blends of rum and other spirits in about 20 other cocktails.
Mai-Kai Cocktail Guide: Reviews, ratings, recipes and more
What other cocktails can I make with Mai-Kai Rum No. 1?
Visit MaiKaiRum.com for original cocktail recipes, inspirations, and the opportunity to have your own recipes featured. We’ve included a few below.
Will there be a Mai-Kai Rum No. 2?
It’s certainly possible. Additional spirits designed to enhance the cocktails at the Mai-Kai are under development.
Official sites and social media
• Mai-KaiRum.com | MaiKai.com
• Facebook page | Instagram
Facebook group: Friends of the Mai-Kai
NEW COCKTAIL RECIPES
Below are two of the recipes contributed to the official Mai-Kai Rum No. 1 website. By exclusively featuring the new 100-proof blend, these drinks let the rum shine while also showcasing classic and new flavors. There are plenty of other cocktails created by some of our friends and associates also available for you to try. Enjoy!
Daiquiri No. 1 (‘O Ka Mua)
By The Atomic Grog
• 1 1/2 ounces Mai-Kai Rum No. 1
• 1/2 ounce lime juice
• 1/2 ounce orange juice
• 3/4 ounce simple syrup
• 1 dash Pernod or absinthe
Shake with cubed ice, strain into a coupe.
‘O Ka Mua means “the first” in Hawaiian.
A well-rounded, accessible Daiquiri with rich and exotic flavors. The OJ and Pernod provide classic Mai-Kai notes. The sharp citrus and anise flavors provide a unique sip.
Hammerhead Bite
By Don Rudawsky
• 1 1/2 ounces Mai-Kai Rum No. 1
• 1/2 ounce lime juice
• 3/4 ounce pineapple juice
• 3/4 ounce orange juice
• 1 ounce hibiscus syrup
• 2 dashes Bittermens Elemakule Tiki Bitters
Shake with crushed ice and serve in a lowball glass garnished with orange and pineapple.
This cocktail by the proprietor of the Hammerhead Hideaway home bar in Hollywood, Fla., is a complex yet accessible blend of tropical flavors with the rum and bitters teasing the taste buds. The tart and sweet flavors balance nicely, making this a great option for batching. Simply scale up the ingredients proportionately for a punch, as shown in the photo.
Okole maluna!
PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY!
RECENT MAI-KAI NEWS
The historic South Florida restaurant remains laser-focused on improving the cocktails, food and guest experience.
• Cocktail menu: Modern tropics added, classics enhanced | New drink ratings
SPECIAL FEATURES
Answers to frequently asked questions about the Mai-Kai
Check out our handy guide featuring all the basics you need to know to plan your next trip to the Polynesian palace.
• Official information, tips and advice for guests
Photo and video tour: The 16 most iconic photo spots at the Mai-Kai
Learn how to get those classic shots on your next trip to the historic South Florida restaurant. We take you on an adventure via new and historic photos, plus video from Spike’s Breezeway to document the top locations inside and outside.
SEE THE TOP 16: Jump straight to the tour, tips and tricks
FULL MAI-KAI COVERAGE
EXCLUSIVE: Mai-Kai Restoration & Reopening Guide
Check out all past news, photos, video and deep details on the refurbishment and resurrection of the Polynesian palace.
Okole Maluna Society: The Mai-Kai Cocktail Guide
Hurricane Hayward reviews and rates the historic restaurant’s current and past tropical drinks, plus reveals a treasure trove of ancestor and exclusive tribute recipes.
Discover more from The Atomic Grog
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