Mai Tai Rao-Ae Celebration and 75th Anniversary Toast

This was the toast to Trader Vic and the Mai Tai on the 75th anniversary of its invention in 1944 in Oakland.

The footage starts with Vic’s granddaughter Eve Bergeron handing the mic over to Michael Thanos. Thanos was the owner of the Conga Lounge, a now defunct tiki bar in Oakland, and led a group to petition the City of Oakland to name the Mai Tai the official cocktail of the city. He is presently the owner of Forbidden Island in Alameda.

Michael Thanos Toasts the Mai Tai on it’s 75th Anniversary

Applebee’s $1 Mai Tai

The 75th Anniversary of the Mai Tai is being celebrated this month, and I can’t think of a better way than to head to your local Applebee’s for this wonderful $1 drink of the month.

Applebee’s says: “Meet our $1 Mai Tai, a new tiki drink featuring rum, pineapple, passion fruit, orange, black cherry, and lime”



Now, before we get too far ahead of ourselves, this cocktail in no way shape or form should be called a Mai Tai. Because a Mai Tai should at the very least have Orgeat and some sort of Orange Liqueur in it. So, for the newbies being introduced to a “Mai Tai” this is not really representative. Even for only a dollar.

That said, this isn’t a bad drink for a place like Applebee’s. The black cherry is a really nice touch and this thing tastes great. Now, there’s probably not more than an ounce of rum in this thing, so you’re gonna need to drink at least “a couple dollars worth” to get a buzz. And, this most certainly isn’t a “craft cocktail” so if that’s your thing you can keep on moving.

Mrs. Mai Tai and I did Friday Night in the suburbs up right last night. We came into Applebee’s during their evening happy hour (after 9 pm) and had the “Mai Tai”, a Captain’s Bahama Mama, and their wonderful Brewpub Pretzels and cheese dip. All-in $14! That’s eatin’ good in the neighborhood!