{"id":910,"date":"2011-07-12T12:06:24","date_gmt":"2011-07-12T16:06:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.slammie.com\/atomicgrog\/blog\/?p=910"},"modified":"2024-05-23T19:52:39","modified_gmt":"2024-05-23T23:52:39","slug":"mai-kai-cocktail-review-in-search-of-the-elusive-moonkist-coconut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.slammie.com\/atomicgrog\/blog\/2011\/07\/12\/mai-kai-cocktail-review-in-search-of-the-elusive-moonkist-coconut\/","title":{"rendered":"Mai-Kai cocktail review: The quest for the elusive Moonkist Coconut"},"content":{"rendered":"

Updated May 2024<\/em>
\nSee below:<\/B> Our Moonkist Coconut review<\/A> | Ancestor recipes<\/a> NEW<\/B><\/FONT> | The back story<\/a> NEW<\/B><\/FONT> | Official Mai-Kai recipe<\/A>
\nPostscript:<\/strong> Moonkist Coconut on Make and Drink (video)<\/a> NEW<\/B><\/FONT>
\nRelated:<\/B> The Mai-Kai cocktail guide<\/A><\/p>\n

The Moonkist Coconut is one of the most distinctive – and dodgy – drinks on The Mai-Kai’s vast and colorful cocktail menu.<\/p>\n

\"Moonkist<\/a>
Moonkist Coconut in The Molokai bar, September 2015. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Don’t get us wrong. This classic cocktail has been on the iconic South Florida restaurant’s acclaimed tropical drink menu since it opened in 1956. And its quality and consistency are beyond reproach. It’s one of many “rum rhapsodies” on the menu that can be traced back to Tiki pioneer Don the Beachcomber.<\/a> It’s a bolder and spicier option to the Pi\u00f1a Colada<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The trick is getting this exotic elixir served in its trademark coconut. The young, green coconuts that The Mai-Kai<\/a> fashions into drinking vessels are seasonal. And the off-season seemingly drags on forever. Not that you really should fret. When the smooth, heavy coconuts are unavailable, you’ll get your drink in a nice big old fashioned glass, often garnished with an orchid (see photo above). Note that you also will receive the drink in a glass during happy hour, when it’s half-priced.<\/p>\n

\"Moonkist<\/a>
Moonkist Coconut at The Mai-Kai, July 2011. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you receive the drink in its traditional vessel, you’re encouraged to take it home as a souvenir. But unless you’re an expert at cleaning and preserving coconut shells, you probably won’t want to hold onto it for long.<\/p>\n

When trying to duplicate this presentation at home, you have several options. The easiest is to employ a coconut mug, but if you’re really trying to impress you might want to explore the produce isle of your local grocery. While it may be tempting to pick up a hard-shelled mature coconut (the brown, husky variety), they’re extremely difficult to fashion into a drinking vessel. A better option, which is explored in more detail below, is a soft-shelled young coconut.<\/p>\n

Whichever vessel you end up with, we’re sure you’ll enjoy the “official” recipe below, updated to mirror the latest version of the classic served at The Mai-Kai. <\/a><\/p>\n

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The official menu description<\/FONT><\/I><\/p>\n

\"Moonkist<\/a><\/p>\n

MOONKIST COCONUT<\/b>
<\/p>\n

A cold, frothy blend served in a fresh coconut in the native tradition of the islands. Take the coconut home.<\/p>\n

Okole Maluna Society review and rating<\/B><\/p>\n

\"Moonkist<\/a>
Moonkist Coconut at The Mai-Kai, July 2011. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Size:<\/B> Medium<\/p>\n

Potency:<\/B> Medium<\/p>\n

Flavor profile:<\/B> Coconut and honey with hints of lime, bitters and falernum.<\/p>\n

Review:<\/B> Rich and exotic with a creamy mouthfeel and just a slight hint of gold rum.<\/p>\n

Rating:<\/B> 3 1\/2 out of 5 stars (see how it ranks)<\/a><\/p>\n

Ancestry:<\/B> Appearing on the Mai-Kai’s original 1956 cocktail menu, this is one of many drinks that can be traced back to Don the Beachcomber.<\/a> While it’s likely inspired by a Donn Beach drink called the Coconut Rum, it’s also a descendant of Marino Licudine’s White Cloud, uncovered by author Jeff “Beachbum” Berry<\/a> in the 10th anniversary edition of his seminal book, Sippin’ Safari<\/em>, published in 2017.<\/p>\n

Agree or disagree? Share your reviews and comments below!<\/a><\/B>
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\"Mariano<\/a>
Mariano Licudine’s White Cloud from Beachbum Berry’s Sippin’ Safari. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward, March 2018)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

ANCESTOR RECIPES<\/strong><\/p>\n

White Cloud<\/strong>
\n(From Beachbum Berry’s Sippin’ Safari<\/em>, 10th anniversary edition<\/a>)<\/p>\n