Mai Tai Cocktail - How to Make the Best Mai Tai recipe from Hawaii.
The Best Mai Tai in Maui
No Ka Oi is a Hawaiian phrase that can be seen and heard all over Maui. It simply means "The Best".
It was only fitting that my first night in Hawaii would include a mixology class at the Westin Maui to make one of their signature cocktails: No Ka Oi Mai Tai.
The Mai Tai is a staple in Hawaii; it's kind of like a margarita in Mexico— you can't travel there without ordering at least one (or in my case, half a dozen!).
After two flights totaling 10 hours and a 45-minute drive to Ka'anapali beach, I was in need of a drink.
And this Mai Tai really was The Best.
So what makes this Mai Tai so special? It's all in the rum.
The Westin Maui uses Maui pineapple rum made right on the island from Maui Gold pineapples.
Even though you can only order this drink at The Westin Maui, I know you wanna know how it's made!
Na Ka Oi Mai Tai Recipe
Mai Tai Ingredients:
- 1 oz Maui Pineapple Rum
- 1/2 oz Grand Marnier
- 1/2 oz Coconut Rum
- 2 1/2 oz sugar-lime syrup (simple syrup)
- Dark rum, for floater
- 2 lime wedges, for muddling
- Pineapple wedges for muddling
- Orange wedges for muddling
- Pineapple leaves, for garnish
- Lime wedge, for garnish
How to Make a Mai Tai
1. Muddle pineapple rum, Grand Marnier, coconut rum and 2 1/2 oz freshly made sugar-lime syrup with 2 fresh limes wedges + 2 pineapple wedges + 2 orange wedges.
2. Strain and pour over crushed ice in a snifter glass. Top with a dark rum floater & garnish with pineapple leaves and a lime wheel.
If you'll notice, the shape of the glass with the pineapple leaf garnish makes it look like a pineapple ... so clever!
For those who want to make this drink at home, you can substitute any pineapple rum for Maui Pineapple Rum. The bartender suggested Cruzan, which is an inexpensive alternative. The sugar-lime syrup is just a simple syrup that you can make on your stove top with sugar, water, and lime. {Here's a simple syrup recipe - just add lime juice!}.
Serve Your Mai Tai in a Fun Tiki Glass!
Tiki Glasses - 2 -15 oz. Cocktail Mug for Mai Tais
4 Piece Tiki Double Old Fashioned Glass SetThe Original Premium 15oz Tiki Glass ~ Set of 2Pineapple Tiki Glasses, Set of 4
The Best Mai Tai Recipe from Maui
- 1 oz Maui Pineapple Rum
- 1/2 oz Grand Marnier
- 1/2 oz Coconut Rum
- 2 1/2 oz sugar-lime syrup simple syrup
- Dark rum for floater
- 2 lime wedges for muddling
- Pineapple wedges for muddling
- Orange wedges for muddling
- Pineapple leaves for garnish
- Lime wheel for garnish
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Muddle pineapple rum, Grand Marnier, coconut rum and 2 1/2 oz freshly made sugar-lime syrup with 2 fresh limes wedges + 2 pineapple wedges + 2 orange wedges.
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Strain and pour over crushed ice in a snifter glass. Top with a dark rum floater & garnish with pineapple leaves and a lime wheel.
Trust me on this one, this is the best Mai Tai cocktail in or out of Maui!
More posts from Hawaii:
Other Recipes You Might Like:
Special thanks to the Maui Visitors Bureau & The Westin Maui for hosting my visit and stay in Maui.
Rachel B
This looks delicious! I just discovered your blog and I love EVERYTHING I'm seeing on it! Keep up the great posts!