With its tropical locale and melting pot of immigrant culinary influences, Maui’s beverage scene is rich with libation inspiration. As the island continues to recover in the wake of the tragic 2023 Lahaina wildfires, beverage and hospitality pros are more focused than ever on supporting local agriculture and highlighting Maui’s diverse history and vibrant flavors.
Drink menus and wine lists alike focus on storytelling, too, whether it’s detailing the provenance of an ingredient or inciting a food-friendly pairing. By connecting the bounty of Maui’s land and sea with its rich history, these five locals-approved glasses offer a taste of Maui now and a glimpse into its bright future.
Image Courtesy of Justin Alford Red Stained Fingertips at Pilina
Just past Fairmont Kea Lani’s soaring lobby you’ll reach Pilina, a new open-air cocktail bar with panoramic ocean views, mind-bendingly good cocktails, and a stellar sushi menu. To showcase the wealth of Hawaiian agriculture and flavors, general manager Cameron Hall traveled 1,400 miles to three different islands to source ingredients from distillers, farmers and makers. The dozen-plus inventive cocktails are made with 90% Hawaiian ingredients, including the Red-Stained Fingertips, which features Waikulu Distillery’s Ohana Reserve Agave Spirit, crafted with Maui-grown agave and grilled Maui gold pineapple shrub with lemon peel and shichimi togarashi.
“I was lucky to have been born and raised on the north shore of Maui, and Red-Stained Fingertips was a trip down memory lane,” says Shay Smith, founder and president at Ocean Organic Farm and Distillery. “The flavors
This Article was originally published on Wine Enthusiast
