8 Delicious Mai Tai's you must try in Maui, Hawaii!
Where to find the Best Mai Tai in Maui, Hawaii
Mai Tais are by far the most popular drink in Maui and most islands of Hawaii at that. Victor Jules Bergeron, famously known as Trader Vic, claimed to have invented the Mai Tai in 1944 at his popular restaurant, Trader Vic's, in Oakland, California. Recipes for Mai Tais today are based on Trader Vic's 1944 recipe include rum, lime juice, orgeat syrup, and orange liqueur or orange curaçao. Other ingredients may include almond, grenadine, orange and grapefruit juices, beer, etc. To make a perfect Mai Tai, you have to find solid ingredients and a great ratio of tropical flair to rum!
We’ve been to Maui at least 8 times, so let's just say, we've had our fair share of Mai Tais. Some are basic, which don't stray far from the recipe, while other drinks have beautiful presentations and something different added to their Mai Tai to make it stand out from others. Let’s dive in!
Related Post: Best Restaurants in Maui
Merriman’s Mai Tai
Merriman's Maui in Kapalua
Some of the best sunsets sinking into the Pacific have occurred while sitting on Merriman's patio! They are known for their signature recipe incorporating local rum and topped with exquisite sweet honey-liliko'i foam.
Merriman's Mai Tai - Old Lahaina Rum, Triple Sec, Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice, honey-lilikoi foam
Presentation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Taste: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Price: $$
Monkeypod Mai Tai
Monkeypod in Kaanapali or Wailea
Monkeypod is a sister restaurant to Merriman's also serving a similar recipe meaning you enjoy this cocktail in multiple locations!
Monkeypod Mai Tai - kula organic silver and dark rums, lime, house-made macadamia nut orgeat, bols orange curacao, honey-lilikoi foam
Presentation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Taste: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Price: $$
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Mai'a Tai at Lineage
Lineage in Wailea
You might recognize Chef Sheldon as a finalist on the show Top Chef, and after trying his food and drinks you can see why he made to the finals! The Mai'a Tai is different from most Mai Tais but has a delicious spin to the tiki classic.
Mai'a Tai - Banks 5 Rum, Banana Milk Punch, Walnut, Pecan, Giffard Apricot de Rousillon, Lime, Almond~Spice Liqueur
Presentation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Taste: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Price: $$
The Grand at Humuhumunukunukuapua'a
Humuhumunukunukuapua'a at the Grand Wailea
Yes, that is the name of a restaurant which is also a word for the Hawaiian Triggerfish or the little triggerfish with a snout like a pig (we learned this from their kids menu)! Their recipe for The Grand has a lighter taste without the dark rum and topped off with a wonderfully sweet pineapple vanilla foam.
The Grand - Ron Zacapa 23yr Rum, Orange Curacao, Orgeat, Lime Juice, Pineapple Vanilla foam
Presentation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Taste: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Price: $$$
The Stirred Mai Tai at SPago
Wolfgang Puck’s Spago at the Four Seasons Wailea
The mixologists at Spago have come up with some really inventive, and delicious, takes on the Mai Tai, giving that floating in the ocean without a care in the world feeling! The Stirred - Plantation Xaymaca Rum, Duquesne Aged Rhum Agricole, Plantation Pineapple Rum, Dry Curacao, Citrus Oils
The 1944 - Plantation Xaymaca Run, Duquesne Aged Rhum Agricole, Dry Curacao, Lime
The Spago Maui - Plantation Pineapple Rum, Koloa Dark Rum, 151 Proof Rum, Apricot Brandy, Almond, Lime, Pineapple
The Stirred - Plantation Xaymaca Rum, Duquesne Aged Rhum Agricole, Plantation Pineapple Rum, Dry Curacao, Citrus Oils
Presentation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Taste: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Price: $$$
Fresh Squeezed Mai Tai at the Barefoot Bar
Hula Grill and Barefoot Bar in Kaanapali
I think the tiki glass presentation really makes a difference here! ;-) This Mai Tai is on the fruitier side with a great combo of juices integrated.
Fresh Squeezed Mai Tai - Tropical blend of fresh pineapple, guava, orange, and passion fruit Juices with orgeat, orange curaçao, gold rum and a dark rum float
Presentation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Taste: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Price: $$
Maui Brew Co in Lahaina
Maui Brew Co not only serves a good Mai Tai but they have made a unique beer cocktail called the Mana Mai Tai made with you guessed it, BEER! This will throw your taste buds in delightful loops, forgetting you have a beer in your hand.
Mana Mai Tai - Pineapple Mana Wheat, orgeat, Pineapple, Coconut Hiwa Porter float
Presentation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Taste: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Price: $$
Black Rock Mai Tai at the Cliff Dive Grill
Sheraton Maui Mai Tai at the Cliff Dive Grill
We often stay at the Maui Sheraton and the Cliff Dive Bar is usually our first stop for a Mai Tai! Not only is it refreshing but we love the beach views and watching jumpers dive off of black rock!
Black Rock Mai Tai - light & dark rum, pineapple & orange juice, orange orgeat
Presentation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Taste: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Price: $$
I’d like to thank my family for their help with my extensive research for this article! 😃
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