Adrift Presents Mai Tai Week July 29 - August 2
Photo courtesy of Casey Wilson
Enjoy four inspired takes on the iconic cocktail, including a version that hearkens back to 1954 when Mai Tai was first brought to Denver
DENVER (July 17, 2025)— Adrift Tiki Bar, home to one of Colorado’s largest rum collections, proudly presents Mai Tai Week, a multi-day celebration of the legendary Mai Tai cocktail that was invented by Victor Bergeron, also known as Trader Vic, in 1944. On July 29 - August 2, 2025, Tiki enthusiasts and savvy cocktail lovers can enjoy four different renditions of Mai Tai inspired by the iconic drink’s past, present, and future.
“From its inception by Trader Vic and subsequent introduction to Hawaii through tourism in the 1950s and 60s, Mai Tai cocktails had an unprecedented rise in popularity making the Mai Tai the undisputed king of tiki drinks,” says Adrift Bar Manager Vince Polizzi. “The Mai Tai is so iconic and genre defining in the tiki category because when it’s made right, it’s just that good! It’s a well-balanced cocktail that blends together tropical flavors while letting the Jamaican rum shine through.”
Mai Tai week kicks off with TIKI Time with Trader Vince - Mai Tai Edition on Sunday, July 27 from 1:30-5:00 p.m. Enjoy an engaging presentation on the history of the iconic Mai Tai, led by Adrift’s resident tiki expert, Trader Vince. Your ticket includes a delicious appetizer, a guided rum tasting, and a tasting flight of four unique Mai Tai cocktails. Tickets ($50) are limited and will go fast, so don’t miss your chance to sip, learn, and celebrate in true island style - no passport required! Head to Eventbrite to purchase your ticket.
Then on July 29 - August 2, guests at Adrift can choose from four inspired takes on the Mai Tai:
The Standard ($15): Over-proof Jamaican and Guyanese rums, orgeat, lime, and French curacao blend. Adrift’s flagship Mai Tai is an homage to this true icon of mid-century tropical drinks.
The Elevated ($20): Fresh lime, house-made orgeat, orange curacao, and a harmonious blend of hand-selected island rums. Awarded best Mai Tai in Denver in the 2023 Mile High Mai Tai Challenge. The Elevated Mai Tai at Adrift is a tribute to both the classic and modern eras of the Mai Tai and stays close to the original 1944 recipe but embraces newer rums and orange liqueurs used in the modern bar
Non-Alcoholic ($11): Fresh lime, house-made orgeat, non-alcoholic orange liqueur, and Ritual Zero Proof Rum Alternative. While it may be challenging to create an alcohol free version of a cocktail where rum is the star of the show, Adrift was up for the task!
The Luxury ($50): Fresh lime juice, house-made orgeat, a luxurious blend of orange liqueurs, and Holmes Cay Jamaica - Long Pond ITP 2007 15-Year Old Single Cask Rum. Garnished as it was presented at The Outrigger, with a mint bouquet, lime shell, and pineapple wedge speared with a cherry and served in an official Trader Vic Mai Tai glass. The Luxury version is a recreation of the Mai Tai when it was first served in Denver by Trader Vic at his bar, The Outrigger, which was located on the corner of 18th and Broadway at the swanky Cosmopolitan Hotel in 1954.
“According to legend, Mai Tai comes from the phrase ‘Maita'i roa ae,’ which means ‘the best’ or ‘out of this world’ in Tahitian and Trader Vic included this detail in his opening menu at The Outrigger because he believed that the 15-year old Jamaican rum made it so,” says Polizzi. “I wanted to emphasize that same importance in our version and give guests a taste of old school luxury that’s so rare to find.”
Reservations for Mai Tai Week are highly encouraged. For more information about Adrift’s Mai Tai Week, contact Chea Franz at Chea@IndieCreativeCo.com.
###
About Adrift Tiki Bar & Restaurant
Located in Denver’s South Broadway neighborhood known for its eclectic mix of live music venues, art-house movie theaters, bars and acclaimed restaurants, Adrift draws on the rich history of authentic Tiki lounges and modernizes the traditions borrowing from an array of island flavors and cultures. Serving elevated cocktails and spice route-inspired bites, Adrift features an extensive collection of 100+ rums from all over the world. The space has indoor and outdoor seating and 70-year-old hand-carved totems that stand adjacent to Puffer fish pendant lights in a vibrant space where guests can delight in Adrift’s take on everything from the traditional Mai Tai or Zombie to frozen Chi-Chi concoctions and punch bowls, which are presented with flair including fresh flowers and hand-pressed juice. Diners will discover well-executed global cuisine including their delectable Spam Musubi, Island Bowls, and other Polynesian fare. As part of Adrift’s social responsibility program, The Mana Immersion Fund provides financial assistance to humanitarians with a focus on medical, dental, construction and hunger relief, and a percentage of every sale at the restaurant benefits the cause. For more information, visit www.adriftbar.com, follow @AdriftBar on Facebook and @AdriftDenver on Instagram, or call (303) 778-TIKI.