Mai Tai

This fine specimen was spotted at Tahiti Nui, a somewhat dive-y bar where the locals hang out amid the tourists in the town of Hanalei on the North shore of Kauai.

When we stopped there for lunch one day after snorkeling, the very kind waitress told us about their happy hour and the Hawaiian guitarist that would be playing that night. We went back and were treated to a great evening of music, Mai Tais and hula dancing (by the local ladies as well as a 60ish white guy who actually kinda looked like he knew what he was doing). The food was just ok, but I was having too much fun to care.

A modern Mai Tai recipe:

• 1 oz gold rum
• 1 oz dark rum
• 1 oz Orange Curacao
  
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• 1/2 oz Orgeat syrup

Shake everything but the dark rum together and pour into a glass with ice. Float the dark rum, and garnish with a maraschino cherry, pineapple, and a mint sprig.