Mai Tais on the Big Island: Where to Sip (and Skip) 🍹
I’m on a mission to find the best mai tais on the Big Island — and let me tell you, it’s been quite the challenge.
Big Island bars and restaurants love to put their own spin on the classic mai tai, some using a macadamia nut orgeat, coconut rum, or even rock candy syrup.
The classic mai tai recipe consists of:
- Rum
- Orange curaçao
- Lime juice
- Orgeat
I’m finding that what makes or breaks a good mai tai is rum quality, alcohol strength, and ratio of juice to rum.
Here are five of my favorites — plus two controversial picks I wouldn’t order again!
My Top 5 Big Island Mai Tais
1. Cheeky Tiki
Let me start with my #1 favorite mai tai: the Pacific 19 Mai Tai from Cheeky Tiki.
The flavors blended perfectly, exactly what I expect from a solid mai tai.
And the tiki glass?! So fun!
The Pacific 19 Mai Tai ingredients include:
- Dark rum
- Silver rum
- Macadamia nut orgeat
- Orange
- Pineapple
- Lilikoi foam
The lilikoi foam is what drew me to trying this place, because I am a sucker for anything lilikoi (passionfruit).
While the foam wasn’t super strong, it was still delicious. Honestly, if it had been mixed in, the lilikoi flavor would’ve disappeared, so I enjoyed it on its own.
I appreciated that their cocktail menu rates drink strength with a 🍍 system. This one is a 🍍🍍🍍🍍.
Cheeky Tiki’s second-story spot overlooks Kailua Bay and Ali‘i Drive, offering a comfortable lanai-like lounge or tables with a view.
2. Kuleana Rum Shack
Kuleana Rum Works crafts their own rum right here on the Big Island, and their Waikoloa restaurant at Queen’s Marketplace, Kuleana Rum Shack, is worth a stop.
Their mai tai is delicious — but don’t expect the typical look.
Their mai tai ingredients include:
- Huihui® , their white rum blend
- Nanea® , their aged rum blend
- Cointreau
- Orgeat
- Lime juice
- Angostura bitters
- Mint sprig
This one is very orgeat forward, with almond being the prominent flavor. The clearness of the cocktail and the high ball glass kinda fools my brain into believing I am not drinking an actual mai tai, — and the mint sprig feels unexpected for a tropical drink.
However, it’s smooth, refreshing, and made with top-notch local rum. Definitely a fav!
💁♀️ Tab’s Trip Tip: If you come to Kuleana Rum Shack within 24hrs of landing and show them your airline boarding pass, you will get a mai tai for only $1!
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3. Foster’s Kitchen
I haven’t been disappointed with Foster’s Kitchen cocktails yet, and their mai tai was no exception.
First off, it’s served in a pineapple glass — and who doesn’t love a fun glass?
More importantly, it was nice and strong with the perfect balance of rum to juice.
Their Island Style Mai Tai ingredients include:
- White rum
- Pineapple juice
- Orange juice
- Lime juice
- Orange curacao
- Mac nut orgeat
- Dark rum float
It was a strong drink and not too sweet.
Foster’s Kitchen has two locations: Coconut Grove on the second story overlooking Ali’i Drive (albiet there are electrical lines obscuring the view a bit) and Kings Shop in Waikoloa.
💁♀️ Tab’s Trip Tip: The Coconut Grove location will validate your parking for 90 minutes in their parking lot.
4. Naupaka Beach Grill
Naupaka Beach Grill at the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort holds a special place in my heart — and not just because their poke nachos are what dreams are made of. I also appreciate their take on the mai tai.
Their base is coconut rum, which makes this tropical cocktail even more tropical, in my opinion.
The Niu Mai Tai ingredients include:
- Kula toasted coconut rum
- Pineapple juice
- Orange juice
- Orgeat
- Mahina dark rum float
The coconut-rimmed glass is also a fun, flavorful touch.
Sipping this drink poolside overlooking the Westin’s corner of Hapuna Beach instantaneously transports you into a luxurious Hawaiian getaway.
🛏️ Want to Stay at the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort? Check if your dates are available here! >>
5. Da Shark Shack
Da Shark Shack is a small, open-air dive bar where you can sit at a bar overlooking Ali’i Drive — a prime spot for watching people and waves.
I went in with low expectations because the drink was comparatively cheaper than other mai tais I’d tried.
But to my surprise, it was strong, flavorful, and honestly impressive for the price.
Mick’s Mai Tai ingredients include:
- Maui light rum
- Maui dark rum
- Curaçao
- Orgeat
- Pineapple for you
- Cherry for the geckos 😝
Yep, as you’re sipping your drink, don’t be surprised if a gecko (or two) shows up expecting a bite of your maraschino cherry. You can choose to share or not lol!
💁♀️ Tab’s Trip Tip: be warned that they automatically charge a 20% gratuity to your bill; which is probably why their menu prices look a little on the low end.
2 Overhyped Mai Tais I Think You Should Skip
6. Don the Beachcomber
I’d be remiss not to mention Don the Beachcomber, but unfortunately, it doesn’t make my recommended list.
First, a mini history lesson: Trader Vic is credited with inventing the mai tai we know today in 1944. But Donn Beach — founder of the Don the Beachcomber franchise — created a tropical rum drink in the 1930s that he claimed was the real original mai tai. The two spent years arguing over who deserved the credit, and to this day, no one knows for sure who was first.
With that backstory, you’d think that their mai tai would be a guaranteed win.
Au contraire!
While their mai tai flight is fun in concept, I found the drinks underwhelming. There wasn’t much wow factor, and the flavor differences between each variety were minimal.
Cocktail flight includes:
- Don’s Mai Tai
- Silver rum
- Orgeat
- Orange curacao
- Rock candy syrup
- Orange juice
- Pineapple juice
- Fresh lime squeeze
- Dark rum float
- Volcanic Mai Tai
- Don Q 151 Rum
- Amaretto
- Orgeat
- Pineapple juice
- Orange juice
- Grenadine
- Dark rum float
- Green Flash
- Cruzan mango rum
- Melon liqueur
- Pineapple juice
- Orange juice
- Soda
- Topless Mai Tai
- Cruzan coconut rum
- Pineapple juice
- Orange juice
- Orgeat
- Cruzan mango rum float
The ambience is a very large, open-air sports bar with surprisingly loud waves crashing against the walls.
If you are staying at the Royal Kona Resort, it’s a convenient place to grab this famous cocktail, but just don’t get your hopes up.
🛏️ Want to Stay at the Royal Kona Resort? Check if your dates are available here! >>
7. Huggo’s Famous Mai Tai
Another controversial letdown for me was Huggo’s Famous Mai Tai — served at a family of restaurants owned by the same company: Huggo’s, On the Rocks, Lava Lava Beach Club, and Kai Eats and Drinks.
I’ve given it a fair shot, trying it at both Lava Lava Beach Club and On the Rocks — and both times, I walked away disappointed.
The Huggos Mai Tai hasn’t released their secret ingredients, all we know is that it includes:
- Blend of tropical juices
- Almond essence
- Light rum
- Dark rum
They’ve been serving this mai tai since 1969, which sounds promising — but sadly, it doesn’t live up to the hype. I found it watery and lacking in flavor.
Ambience is something these restaurants have going for them: all water or beach front. Lava Lava Beach Club and On the Rocks even have the opportunity for sand between your toes.
While the drink doesn’t impress, the locations do. They are all oceanfront. Lava Lava Beach Club and On the Rocks even have the added bonus of sand between your toes.
Final Mai Tai Thoughts
Every person has their own palate and preferences when it comes to cocktails, and what I love might not be your cup of… rum. And that’s okay!
This list is just a starting point — a guide to help you decide where to grab a mai tai (or maybe skip one). But the real fun is in taste-testing for yourself.
So go out, sip a few, and see what you think! And when you do, I’d love to hear about it.
Email me and let me know if you agree or disagree with this list, or if have your own favorite to recommend. Cheers!
Looking for More Food? Check Out:
The Best Malasadas on the Big Island
My Favorite Poke on the Big Island
