Kauai Vacation Blog

Your Colorado Ohana's Guide to Kauai

The post highlights favorite Mai Tais in Hawai’i, an iconic cocktail made with rum, orange liquor, lime juice, and orgeat syrup. Our top picks include Tiki Iniki’s classic Mai Tai, Duke’s Mai Tai, and Tahiti Nui tied with Kalypso, both renowned for their ambiance and unique blends. Suggestions for additional Mai Tais are welcomed.

By

Mike and Joc

—

, , , , , , , , ,

Discover Kauai’s Best Mai Tais: Our Picks

Our favorite Mai Tais

Mai Tais – the (unofficial) cocktail of Hawai’i. Traditionally, it’s a blend of rums (both light and dark), orange liquor, lime juice, and orgeat syrup (almond syrup). You’ll find wide variation on this recipe across the island, with many bars and restaurants adding other fruit juices into their blends to sweeten the cocktail (and likely appeal to the tourists). My husband has tried many of them. Here’s his list of favorites.

Green tiki mug with an orange garnish sitting on a bar at Tiki Iniki in Princeville, Kauai

#1: Tiki Iniki’s Classic Mai Tai

Tucked inside Princeville Center, Tiki Iniki has Mike’s pick for favorite mai tai on the island. It’s a classic mai tai, made according to the original recipe and served in an ice cold stone tiki glass. The place itself is a lot of fun, with traditional Polynesian decor. They took the name from the famed hurricane that struck the island in 1992 – the same one that was responsible for scattering chickens everywhere.

#2: Duke’s Mai Tai

Duke’s is a chain of restaurants, with locations on the islands and in California. It’s named after Duke Kahanamoku, the famous Hawaiian surfer who helped popularize the sport and Hawaiian culture. Their mai tai is made of fruit juices and a light and dark rum, similar to others you’ll find on the island. Mike ranks it his second favorite. You’ll find Duke’s in Lihue along Kalapaki Beach.

Classic mai tai cocktail in a clear tiki glass with a green umbrella sitting on a menu labeled Duke's in Lihue, Kauai
Mai Tai cocktail at the colorfully decorated bar at Tahiti Nui in Hanalei, Kauai

#3a: Tahiti Nui

Tahiti Nui is tied for third best mai tai along with Kalypso, both in Hanalei. Tahiti Nui is among our favorite restaurants on the island, primarily due to the live music you can catch nightly, and the general ambience. The restaurant was made famous by George Clooney in the movie The Descendants. The mai tai is similar to Duke’s, in that they make it with light rum on the bottom mixed with a fruit juice blend and topped with a dark rum float.

#3b: Kalypso

Kalypso is our second favorite restaurant on the island. It’s hard to miss as it’s on the corner where most people turn to head to the beach in Hanalei. The place has an amazing patio and fantastic happy hour specials, including the mai tai. It’s very similar to Tahiti Nui’s, making it hard for Mike to choose a favorite among them.

Man smiling holding a mai tai cocktail at the famous Kalypso bar and grill in Hanalei, Kauai, surrounded by tropical plants

Others?

We’ve tried mai tais at just about every restaurant we’ve been to on the island, but I’m guessing we’re missing quite a few. We’d love to hear from you on which ones you’ve tried and enjoyed while visiting. And remember, you can pick up some local rums and mix your own at your hotel or vacation rental. Drink responsibly and enjoy!

Cheers!

Leave a comment