Mai Tai Media Watch

If you see notable mentions of Mai Tais in print, in movies or television, the Web, or anyplace else, please let us know: mediawatch@kevdo.com

Music

Mai Tai is mentioned in the Don Tiki song "Bam-Boozled."
The great Les Baxter wrote a song called "Mai Tai" which appeared on the The Soul of the Drums (Reprise R9-6100) album.
Legendary Hawaiian singer Alfred Apaka has an album and song called "Cry in My Mai Tai".

Web Links

Tiki Bar Review Page has information on a host of Tiki Bars. The reviews do vary in quality, but there are lots of pictures and links to other tiki-related sites. Mai Tais aren't often mentioned, but this would be a good place to start if you're looking for good Mai Tais in your local area. Better yet, check out some of the bars and send us a review.

Trader Vic's Web site has information on the history of the Mai Tai, how to order drink mixes, and more. Very nice looking site, too.

Dave's Mai Tai will someday be selling their secret recipe for a small price.
Fishstick! is another interesting site with tiki references. Great trip reports, hopefully more to come.

Products

Mai Tai Magnet: You may also purchase online.

Strange or Unusual

GJCahnahana Ties: they say "Mai Tai is Your Tie"
Mai Tai Sunglasses: From Maui Jim.
Spectra-Physics Introduces First Tunable One-Box Femtosecond Ti:sapphire Laser Source (called Mai Tai).
Ibis Mai Tai Bicycle: "Mai Tai makes Kate Moss look like a lard ass."
Mai Tai Font: Nothing particularly tropical about this font, though.

Books, Magazines, and More

Mai Tai Mighty Fine is a short article on the Mai Tai from Honolulu Star Bulletin. Includes history, photos, and recipes.
The Mai Tais that Bind was a story about Trader Vic's grandson Peter Seely. It appeared in the Sacramento Bee on August 4, 1999.
Every Mai Tai connoisseur should read the Tiki News. Each issue usually has several references to Trader Vic's, tiki bars, drink recipes, and more. Don't wait another day!
Vintage Cocktails: Authentic Recipes and Illustrations from 1920-1960 contains lots of great illustrations, recipes, and more. Check out our review, or purchase the book.

Movies, Television

Mai Tais are mentioned twice in the Charlie's Angels second season premiere episode, "Angels in Paradise" (which takes place in Hawaii). Sabrina (played by Kate Jackson) says "I will never have a Mai Tai as long as I live." A better quote comes from Charlie himself who said "My own preference runs to Mai Tais".
Mai Tais (or Tummy Warmers as they are often referred) are mentioned and consumed at numerous points during the Elvis Presley movie Blue Hawaii. The best Mai Tai quote came from Angela Lansbury to her Chinese houseboy, "Fetch me a Mai Tai, Ping Pong."
Mai Tais were mentioned and shown twice in Six Days, Seven Nights. Anne Heche ordered Mai Tais at a tropical bar.
Helen Hunt mentioned a Mai Tai in a list of tropical drinks on Mad About You episode #707, "The Thanksgiving Show" which originally aired on November 24, 1998.
In episode #810 of The Real World (Hawaii), Matt said "spending six months on the beach drinking Mai Tais isn't my idea of being productive." I guess everyone is entitiled to their opinion...
An old Lucy Show episode featured Lucy and Vivian Vance getting plastered on Mai Tais. Lucy kept repeating "Might I have a Mai Tai?" and was very pleased by her little pun.

Music to Drink Mai Tais To

This is our admittedly biased list of CDs to listen to while drinking Mai Tais.

Robert Drasnin- Voodoo!: Probably the greatest Exotica record ever. Also available with remastered sound, but two tracks removed, as Exotic Excursion.

Martin Denny- Exotica/Exotica II: The ground-breaking albums from the "High Priest" of Exotica. This music was honed over several years in Hawaii.
Martin Denny- Forbidden Island/Primitiva: A nice mix of classic Exotica (bird calls, percussion) with more mellow vibes. Ironically, the song "Exotica" is available here on this one rather than any of the three "Exotica" albums.
Martin Denny- Hypnotique/Exotica III: Hypnotique is much more of "studio" album than previous Denny albums. Includes background singer, orchestration, and more. Don't miss "Voodoo Dreams." Exotica III continues the mold of the previous Exotica albums.
Martin Denny- Afro-Desia: If you like "jungle" music, this is a campy send-up. Lots of drums and chants.
Martin Denny- Quiet Village/Enchanted Isle: Quiet Village is a strong, but unadventurous album. Enchanted Isle is quite a bit more mellower than other Denny albums. Great for relaxing with a Mai Tai...
Martin Denny- The Exotic Sounds of Martin Denny: A great collection, including many rare or unreleased gems. A great place to start out with Denny.
Martin Denny- Exotica: Best of Martin Denny: A highly-regarded compilation with more accurate liner notes and better overall song selection.

Arthur Lyman- Taboo: Arthur Lyman left Martin Denny's group and got things rolling with this masterpiece. Includes several excellent bonus tracks and is remastered for great sound.
Arthur Lyman- Taboo 2: The title track is great. Another good album from Lyman.
Arthur Lyman- Hawaiian Sunset has a more mellow vibe feel, including more traditional Hawaiian instrumentation. Remastered for great relaxing sound!
Arthur Lyman- The Best of the Arthur Lyman Group: A great collection of Lyman's material.
Arthur Lyman- More of the Best of the Arthur Lyman Group: More great songs, including "Yellow Bird" and Lyman's version of "Quiet Village."

Les Baxter- The Exotic Moods of Les Baxter: Les Baxter wrote many of the tunes later covered by Denny and Lyman. This is a good collection of his long out-of-print material.
Les Baxter- The Ritual of the Savage: Though it has never been officially reissued on CD, this is where it all began. Virtually every tune on this masterpiece was covered by Denny and the others. Although most of the tunes are available on the "Exotic Moods" compilation, the full album is a much better listen.
Les Baxter- The Soul of the Drum: Also never reissued on CD, this album contains the song "Mai Tai."

Mondo Exotica: The best collection I've seen so far. Features Martin Denny, Les Baxter, Yma Sumac, and more.

Don Tiki- The Forbidden Sounds of Don Tiki: If you're looking for modern-day Exotica, this is the place. A great cover of "Exotica" featuring Martin Denny himself (we prefer this over the original version). Lots of Hawaiian touches, including vocals on some songs. The song "Bam Boozled" mentions Mai Tais.

All images and text appearing on these pages are copyright 2003 by Kevin Crossman, all rights reserved, unless otherwise noted. Reproduction or retransmission of this material in any form is prohibited without expressed written permission.

The Search for the Ultimate Mai Tai is a Kevdo.com production.