{"id":35341,"date":"2025-06-05T19:25:40","date_gmt":"2025-06-05T23:25:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.slammie.com\/atomicgrog\/blog\/?p=35341"},"modified":"2026-03-05T22:22:01","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T03:22:01","slug":"sneak-preview-all-the-mai-kai-cocktails-rated-reviews-and-updated-recipes-coming-soon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.slammie.com\/atomicgrog\/blog\/2025\/06\/05\/sneak-preview-all-the-mai-kai-cocktails-rated-reviews-and-updated-recipes-coming-soon\/","title":{"rendered":"SNEAK PREVIEW: All the Mai-Kai cocktails rated; reviews and updated recipes coming soon"},"content":{"rendered":"

Story posted June 2025 \/ Last updated March 2026<\/em><\/p>\n

I first discovered the depth and breadth of the cocktails at South Florida’s beloved Mai-Kai restaurant<\/a> during my early years at The Hukilau<\/a>, learning the history from authors Jeff “Beachbum” Berry and Tim “Swanky” Glazner as I made my way through the entire menu. The result was the first Mai-Kai Cocktail Guide,<\/a> launched in June 2011 just after the creation of this blog.<\/p>\n

\"Mai-Kai<\/a>
\n2026 UPDATE:<\/B><\/FONT> Mai-Kai kicks off 2026 with new food and drink menus, special events<\/a><\/strong>
\n The historic South Florida restaurant remains laser-focused on improving the cocktails, food and guest experience.
\n• Cocktail menu: Modern tropics added, classics enhanced<\/a> | New drink ratings<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Guests
Guests can now watch Mai-Kai bartenders hard at work in the main service bar (aka the Okole Maluna Bar) via a new window in the gift shop. The large photo behind the bar features original owners Bob and Jack Thornton flanking mixologist Mariano Licudine in the 1960s. (Photo by Jim Neumayer \/ Jan. 7, 2025)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dubbed the Okole Maluna Society, this detailed guide explores the back stories, historic recipes and my own tributes with pages dedicated to all 50+ drinks on the current menu, plus many that had been retired over the years. Over the years, this section became easily the most popular feature of the blog.<\/p>\n

It inspired home and professional bartenders to create fantastic versions of their own, and it paved the way for the return of some of those lost classics. And it started me on another journey, presenting my research in symposiums at special events<\/a> starting with The Hukilau 2017.<\/a> I reminisce more about these days in a story honoring the blog’s 10th anniversary<\/a> in 2021.<\/p>\n

FULL COVERAGE:<\/B><\/FONT> Okole Maluna Society – The Mai-Kai Cocktail Guide<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

When the pandemic arrived and a roof collapse caused the Mai-Kai to close in October 2020 for what turned out to be 5 years, we gathered online<\/a> to share our passion for rum and cocktails. The Mai-Kai soldiered on, filling the void during those years with takeout quarts and gallons, plus special event appearances. Since it was not possible to visit the Mai-Kai and sample all the drinks on the menu, I decided to put the Okole Maluna Society on hold, freezing all the ratings as they were before the closing.<\/a><\/p>\n

To everyone’s delight, the Mai-Kai returned spectacularly<\/a> in November 2024, documented in great detail elsewhere on this blog.<\/a> Along with the reimagination that paid tribute to the past, the Mai-Kai also brought in a new beverage director who is dedicated to honoring the storied bar program while also pushing it forward.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The Mystery Drink (serves four) is an iconic cocktail at the Mai-Kai, which now features male dancers performing the ceremonial service in addition to the classic Mystery Girl. (Official photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cory Starr<\/a> is the perfect man for the job considering his history as a leader and key member of top bar teams across the country, including Tiki Tatsu-Ya (Austin, Texas) and Three Dots and a Dash (Chicago). Starr revived the classic menu and added some new twists of his own, which we documented in a story in December 2024.<\/a><\/p>\n

Since then, we’ve worked our way through the entire menu and put every cocktail to the test. We’re now getting ready for the launch of the Okole Maluna Society 2.0, which will come soon after the introduction of the the long-awaited Mai-Kai Rum No. 1<\/a>, shipped to Florida this summer from Barbados after being blended by master distiller Don Benn at the West Indies Rum Distillery. This potent 100-proof rum (also featuring rum from the Long Pond Distillery in Jamaica) will be featured in classic recipes that were created by the Mai-Kai’s legendary mixologist Mariano Licudine<\/a> using such iconic blends as Dagger Punch and Appleton Punch. [More on the rums of the Mai-Kai]<\/a><\/p>\n

MORE ON THE MAI-KAI:<\/strong><\/font> Restoration & Reopening: Full story and photo archive<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Starr is just the fifth head mixologist since Licudine retired in 1979, and we’re confident he’ll put the new rum to good use in the dozens of recipes that call for it, elevating those cocktails to heights not seen since those golden days. When the rum is fully in use, we’ll roll out a full cocktail guide featuring all new reviews, many revised and new recipes, and maybe a few surprises.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

As more cocktails are released, we’ll be sure to review and rate them immediately. All you need to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy your time at the Mai-Kai. If you need help figuring out what to drink next, let us be your guide … <\/a><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The Twelve Drinks of Christmas Around the World have taken over the center position on the Mai-Kai’s main cocktail menu.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

MAI-KAI COCKTAIL RATINGS<\/strong><\/h3>\n

By Hurricane Hayward \/ The Atomic Grog
\nCurrent menus as of December 2025 <\/em><\/p>\n

2026 UPDATE:<\/B><\/FONT> Modern tropics added added to cocktail menu, classics enhanced<\/a>
\n• New drink ratings<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

NOTE: A quick primer on ordering cocktails and bar logistics at the Mai-Kai. You should be able to order most (if not all) of the drinks listed below at both bars, the main showroom, and any non-showroom dining areas. The main cocktail menu above is the standard. However, guests in the Bora Bora bar also have a special menu for the outdoor seating area<\/a> that can be made to order in the small bar. If you’re in a hurry, or want to get a rare glimpse of Mai-Kai cocktails being made, this is the way to go. You can still order from the main menu, but it takes a little longer for the drinks to come from the main back-of-house bar that services all the dining rooms (take a peek via a window in the gift shop). The Molokai bartenders (also hidden in a back-of-house area) make most of the drinks served in that bar. Confused? Don’t be. Just order a delicious drink and you’ll be fine.<\/p>\n

If you want to explore the back stories and try out the ancestor, authentic and tribute recipes we posted before the reopening, check out the links below. Updated and new recipes coming soon!
\n• Reviews of all the Mai-Kai cocktails prior to 2024<\/a>
\n• Try 100+ Mai-Kai cocktail recipes<\/a><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The deadly Shrunken Skull is served with a side of danger (151 Demerara rum). (Official photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Drinks are ranked in order from top to bottom, even within each star rating category. For instance, we rank the Mutiny slightly above the Black Magic, though both of these classics earn 4 1\/2 stars.<\/p>\n

CLASSIC COCKTAILS<\/strong><\/font><\/p>\n

5 STARS<\/strong>
\nZombie (strong)<\/p>\n

4 1\/2 STARS<\/strong>
\nSpecial Planters Punch (strong)
\n151 Swizzle (strong)
\nShark Bite (medium)
\nMutiny (strong)
\nBlack Magic (strong)<\/p>\n

4 STARS<\/strong>
\nBarrel O’ Rum (strong)
\nSidewinder’s Fang (strong)
\nJet Pilot (strong)
\nMystery Drink (strong)
\nCobra’s Kiss (medium)
\nMai Tai (strong)
\nYeoman’s Grog (strong)
\nK.O. Cooler (strong)<\/p>\n

\"When<\/a>
When you order the Kona Coffee Grog, a server or bartender will make the flaming drink at your tableside, almost exactly as it has been done since the Mai-Kai opened in 1956. Left: Photo from Esquire magazine, 1959. Right: Dinner service in the Tonga Room, November 2024. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3 1\/2 STARS<\/strong>
\nDeep-Sea Diver (medium)
\nSpecial Reserve Daiquiri (medium)
\nShrunken Skull (strong)
\nKona Coffee Grog (after dinner)
\nBora Bora (strong)
\nMai-Kai Swizzle (mild)
\nRum Julep (medium)
\nThe Hukilau (strong)
\nMoonkist Coconut (medium)
\nPlanters Punch (medium)
\nS.O.S. (mild)
\nOh So Deadly (mild)
\nSamoan Grog (mild)
\nPina Passion (medium)
\nDerby Daiquiri (mild)
\nFloridita Daiquiri (mild)
\nMara-Amu (medium)
\nPina Colada (medium)
\nHot Buttered Rum (after dinner)
\nHidden Pearl (medium)
\nTahitian Breeze (medium)
\nMalayan Mist (mild)
\nWahine Delight (after dinner)<\/p>\n

\"Classic<\/a>
Classic cocktails on the Mai-Kai’s rebooted menu include the Mara-Amu and Floridita Daiquiri. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward \/ Nov. 16, 2024)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3 STARS<\/strong>
\nMai-Kai Special (mild)
\nMartinique Milk Punch (mild)
\nTahitian Coffee (after dinner)
\nMai-Kai Cappuccino (after dinner)
\nBanana Daiquiri (mild)
\nStrawberry Daiquiri (mild)
\nChocolate Snowflake (after dinner)
\nMai-Kai Blizzard (after dinner)<\/p>\n

NOTE: After-dinner menu is not yet printed.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The Mai-Kai serves a colorful array of more than 50 tropical drinks. (Official photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

NEW COCKTAILS<\/strong><\/font><\/p>\n

4.5 STARS<\/strong>
\nTemple of Smoke (Bora Bora Bar \/\/\/ temporarily on hold)
\nSecrets of the Pink Lagoon (Bora Bora Bar \/\/\/ temporarily on hold)<\/p>\n

4 STARS<\/strong>
\nPaniolo Old Fashioned (on hiatus during December)
\nTahitian Drum
\nTropical Itch (on hiatus during December)
\nSaturn
\nThe Cannibal
\nMexican Mara-Amu (on hiatus during December)
\nPinky Gonzalez (on hiatus during December)<\/p>\n

3 1\/2 STARS<\/strong>
\nWitchcraft
\nStrip N Go Naked (on hiatus during December)
\nThe Marquesan (on hiatus during December)
\nHala Kahiki (on hiatus during December)
\nIced Coffee Grog (Bora Bora Bar \/\/\/ temporarily on hold)<\/p>\n

3 STARS<\/strong>
\nHula Girl Martini
\nLing-Hi Mui Margarita (on hiatus during December)
\nBlue-52 (on hiatus during December)
\nPainkiller<\/p>\n

UPDATE:<\/strong><\/font> New drink ratings from Janary 2026 menu update<\/a><\/p>\n

Okole maluna!<\/I><\/p>\n

PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY!<\/strong><\/p>\n

**********************************<\/strong><\/div>\n

SPECIAL VIDEO FEATURES<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

The Mai-Kai’s beverage director and general manager, Cory Starr, joins Matt “Spike” Marble for peek inside the restaurant’s massive beverage program on Spike’s Breezeway Cocktail Hour on YouTube<\/a> …<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n