Where to Find the Best Mai Tais in Kaua'i

Might I introduce the best Mai Tai?

I love a good cocktail, and I especially love cocktails that remind me of home. Today, I'm going to take you on a tour of Kauai's best Mai Tais, so you don't have to waste any of those precious calories (or dollars) on Mai Tais that miss the mark.

What makes a good Mai Tai?

First, let me just tell you that I am no expert in the Mai Tai. For example, Mai Tais have very specific ingredients: Rum, orange liquor (some, probably many will argue orange curacao), orangeat syrup, lime juice, and the appropriate garnish. After visiting Kauai one year, I invented my own version, which involved gold and coconut Koloa rum, POG, fresh lime juice, and sparkling coconut water...

So, if you're looking for a textbook review on the cocktail, you've come to the wrong place. What I am an expert on (in my sometimes-not-so-humble-opinion) is what tastes good. And my so-called Mai Tai is DELICIOUS... but not as delicious as the Mai Tais mentioned in this article. 

For me, this is what matters:

• Rum, including a dark floater
• Citrus, lime forward ideally, but not overpowering
• Sweet, but also tart/sour
• The fade between the dark rum floater and the lighter-colored body
• Cherry and pineapple garnish

Where I think most Mai Tais get it wrong:

• Too sweet - this is the most common problem
• Tastes like Gatorade - likely the result of overpowering lime juice
• Zero depth - give me layered flavors!
• Not enough booze - I shouldn't have to request a dark rum floater

Here's where you find Kauai's top 3 Mai Tais

3 - Red Salt - Mai Tai (Poipu)

Red Salt at Ko'a Kea is one of my favorite restaurants in Kauai. If it weren't so expensive, I'd eat there more than once every other year. Their pretzel bread is divine, and their entres never disappoint.

What makes the Mai Tai great: It is simply a well-made drink using fresh ingredients, precisely poured, and all the right accouterments. If they had a topper foam like the Beach House, they could give it a run for the money.

2 - Hualani's - Auntie Hualani's Mai Tai (Lihue)

One of my favorite restaurants on the island with incredible views of the ocean and food that is delicious, playful, and memorable, Hualani's does their Mai Tai the right way.

What makes the Mai Tai great: Using top-shelf ingredients (Cointreau Orgeat & Drake's organic rum), Auntie's Mai Tai is garnished with a fun (and delicious) dried pineapple.

1 - Beach House - Monkeypod Mai Tai (Poipu)

The Beach House Mai Tai is not cheap, and neither is the dinner you'll order to accompany it. But if there were ever a drink to write home about, it's Beach House's Monkeypod Mai Tai.

What makes it great: They use fresh ingredients... no boxed juices here. It's lime-forward, but because it's freshly squeezed, its tart and sourness balance the other components nicely. They use Kula silver and dark rums and hand-made macadamia nut orgeat. But what puts it over the top is the lilikoi foam they top it with. Truly, if you love Mai Tais, this one is a can't miss.

Got a Mai Tai that should make the list?

There are  LOT of Mai Tais on the island that I haven't yet had the pleasure of testing. So, if you have a favorite that I didn't mention, please let me know in the comments below. I've tried close to 30 so far, and most are meh. Even Koloa Rum's pre-mixed Mai Tai misses the mark for me... completely. Although, I am a HUGE fan of their rum and always grab it when I'm making my version of the cocktail.

Two of the best Mai Tais are in Poipu, so if you're looking for a place to say, CLICK HERE. Book in September through October for the best rates.