Mai-Kai Cocktail Recipes

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

Updated August 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

UPDATED: Bring a friend and sink your teeth into the classic Sidewinder’s Fang
Served in a giant 64-ounce snifter, The Mai-Kai’s classic communal cocktail has roots in the mid-century Polynesian restaurant boom as well as ties to a an obscure syrup that became the subject of a new book.
>>> UPDATED BACK STORY, MORE
Direct links: Our Sidewinder’s Fang review | Ancestor recipe
NEW: Tribute recipe features P/Fassionola

Mai-Kai cocktail review: The quest for the elusive Moonkist Coconut UPDATED
The intriguing back story of a Mariano Licudine classic from the original 1956 menu, inspired by a 1930s era drink by Don the Beachcomber that pre-dated the Pina Colada by decades.
>>> Full story and review
Deep links: Our Moonkist Coconut review | Ancestor recipes NEW | The back story NEW | Official Mai-Kai recipe
Postscript: Moonkist Coconut on Make and Drink (video) NEW

Mai-Kai cocktail review: The Rum Barrel is the Rodney Dangerfield of tropical drinks UPDATED
Maybe this iconic drink is finally getting some respect. “This is the most iconic Rum Barrel …mainly because it’s just delicious. It has everything you really want in a Rum Barrel,” proclaims the Make or Drink channel on YouTube.
NEW VIDEO: Rum Barrel tribute recipe on Make and Drink
>>> Our complete Barrel O’ Rum story featuring news, updates and history
Deep links: Barrel O’ Rum review | Ancestor recipe NEW | Official recipe
Tribute recipe | New Mai-Kai rum coming soon
* Christmas Barrel review and tribute | The Rum Barrel on social media

Mai-Kai cocktail review: Double your pleasure with the exotic and delicious Zula #1 (and #2)
Take a deep dive into the history of a vintage cocktail from Mariano Licudine’s 1956 menu. This Don the Beachcomber classic is still being reimagined by craft bartenders today.
>>> See the full story, from the 1930s to 2024
Direct links: Our Zula reviews | Ancestor recipe | Tribute recipes
NEW VIDEO: Zula vs. Penang Afrididi vs. Penang Punch on Make and Drink

UPDATES: Tahitian Breeze | Dr. Fong

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 (36)

151 Swizzle
Barrel O’ Rum
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
Moonkist Coconut (2)
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 (38)

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

Mutiny
Oh So Deadly
Piña Colada
Piña Passion
Rum Julep
Samoan Grog

Shark Bite
Shrunken Skull
Sidewinder’s Fang
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 (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: 113

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

Okole maluna!

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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