State Drink Of Hawaii

So, you’ve heard of Hawaii’s state bird (the Nēnē, a goose that forgot how to be mean), and you definitely know the state flower (the hibiscus, which is basically the floral equivalent of a tropical vacation). But have you ever wondered, while sweating through a humid afternoon and craving something icy, what the official State Drink of Hawaii is? Grab a napkin, because this story involves a lot of sticky fingers and a surprising nineties-era law.

Brace yourself: it is not a Mai Tai. I know, right? The world’s most famous beach drink is not the official one. That’s like saying New York’s official pizza is from a cardboard box. No, in 1993, the Hawaiian legislature, in a move that was either brilliant or motivated by a statewide sugar crash, officially designated the Blue Hawaii as the state’s official cocktail. Wait—scratch that. I’m messing with you. It’s actually the Mai Tai? Nope. Let me stop fumbling. The real answer is both simpler and weirder.

Hawaii actually has two official state drinks. Yes, two. Because why have one answer when you can have an existential debate about citrus? The first, designated in 1995, is the Mai Tai. That classic blend of rum, lime, orgeat (almond syrup), and orange curaçao—the one that makes you feel like a detective in a Hawaiian shirt. But wait—there’s a second official drink, and it’s not even alcoholic. It’s fresh coconut water (called “niu” in Hawaiian). That’s right: a boozy cocktail and a hydrating nut water share the same throne. Hawaii is the only state to have a designated non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverage. It’s like having a best friend who’s both a party animal and a yoga instructor.

Let’s start with the boozy anchor. The Mai Tai’s origin is a hot mess of a food fight. Two competing camps—Trader Vic’s in California and Don the Beachcomber in Hollywood—both claim they invented it in the 1940s. But here’s the twist: a Hawaiian bartender named Harry Yee actually popularized the drink in Waikīkī. He added a paper umbrella and a slice of pineapple because, quote, “tourists liked things that looked pretty.” Harry was a genius. He basically invented the “extra” Instagram food trend decades before filters existed.

The Mai Tai became Hawaii’s official cocktail on June 14, 1995, when Governor Ben Cayetano signed a bill that was probably written on a napkin after a few too many samples. The law says the drink “epitomizes the spirit of aloha.” Which is fancy law-talk for: “It tastes like vacation and makes you forget you have a job.” A fun fact? The name “Mai Tai” means “good” or “out of this world” in Tahitian. Trader Vic claimed a Tahitian friend tasted his creation and yelled “Mai Tai! Mai Tai!” So basically, the drink’s name is the sound of a happy customer. Imagine if your coffee order was just you screaming “YES!” at the barista.

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Now, the second official drink—coconut water—is a different beast. It became the official state beverage in 2001, after a push from local farmers who were tired of watching people overpay for “electrolyte-enhanced” sugar water. Coconut water isn’t just a trendy detox fad; it’s a survival tool. In World War II, medics used it as emergency IV fluid in the Pacific because its chemical composition is close to human plasma. That’s right: a fallen soldier could get a direct IV from a coconut. Mail call hits different when it’s a nut saving your life.

But here’s the hilarious catch: despite the law, no one in Hawaii actually drinks coconut water from a coconut unless they’re at a luau or lost on a hike. Most locals buy it in cartons at the grocery store, just like you. The official drink is basically a giant regional inside joke. It’s like if Texas declared “sun tea” its official beverage, but everyone was drinking iced Dr Pepper.

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What about the also-rans? The Lava Flow (a frozen blend of rum, strawberry, and coconut cream) is a contender that lost by a vote or two, probably because it looks like a strawberry milkshake that got attacked by a whiteout blizzard. And the Piña Colada? Too Puerto Rican—sorry, Pina, you’re a babe, but you’re not homegrown.

So next time you’re in Hawaii, order a Mai Tai with a straight face and tell the bartender you’re exercising your constitutional right to state-sanctioned rum. Then, to be perfectly accurate, chase it with a swig of lukewarm coconut water from a carton. You’ll be hydrated, tipsy, and legally compliant. That’s what we call a complete aloha experience. Cheers—and don’t forget to pace yourself. The state drink is delicious, but the state hangover is very real.