Comparison
Mai Tai vs Daiquiri
If you're choosing between Mai Tai and Daiquiri, the differences matter. This page puts the data side by side so you can see exactly where they diverge on flavor, nutrition, and use case.
Option A
Mai Tai
Reach for Mai Tai when you want something Sweet and Almond, or you want a sweeter, more indulgent serve.
Option B
Daiquiri
Reach for Daiquiri when you want something Sugar and Sweet, or you want a spirit-forward, punchy drink.
Quick verdict
Daiquiri is stronger at 30.2% ABV vs 16.4% for Mai Tai.
Mai Tai vs Daiquiri — at a glance
| Metric | Mai Tai | Daiquiri |
|---|---|---|
| Calories (est.) | 210kcal | 117kcal |
| Sugar (est.) | 25.7g | 3g |
| Carbs (est.) | 28.1g | 4.3g |
| ABV | 16.4% | 30.2% |
| US standard drinks | 0.96 | 1.09 |
| Ingredient count | 5 | 3↓ |
| Glass | Collins Glass | Cocktail Glass |
| Drink type | Cocktail | Cocktail |
↓ = lower in this metric. Nutrition values are estimates. — = data not available.
Taste difference
Both drinks share Sweet character. Mai Tai adds Almond and Citrus on top. Daiquiri leans more Sugar and Lime.
Nutrition difference
Nutrition data is not fully available for one or both drinks. Values shown are estimates from WhatDrink recipe data where available.
When to choose each
→ Mai Tai
Reach for Mai Tai when you want something Sweet and Almond, or you want a sweeter, more indulgent serve.
→ Daiquiri
Reach for Daiquiri when you want something Sugar and Sweet, or you want a spirit-forward, punchy drink.
Recipe data
Nutrition values are estimates based on standard recipe quantities.
Methodology
Frequently asked questions
- What is the main difference between Mai Tai and Daiquiri?
- In WhatDrink's recipe data, Mai Tai is about 16.4% ABV and Daiquiri about 30.2%; Mai Tai is served in a Collins Glass and Daiquiri in a Cocktail Glass; Mai Tai has 5 listed ingredients and Daiquiri has 3; their flavour tags differ — almond and citrus for Mai Tai, sugar and lime for Daiquiri.
- What does a Mai Tai taste like?
- WhatDrink's ingredient-level flavour tags for Mai Tai: sweet, almond and citrus.
- What does a Daiquiri taste like?
- WhatDrink's ingredient-level flavour tags for Daiquiri: sugar, sweet and lime.
- Can you substitute a Mai Tai for a Daiquiri?
- They differ enough that a direct substitution will change the drink meaningfully. If you enjoy both flavors, you can swap in some contexts — a bartender can usually advise on the closest adaptation.
- Which is lower in calories?
- The comparison table above shows the estimated calorie difference from WhatDrink recipe data. The actual gap depends on the specific recipe and portion size used. Neither should be assumed to be "low calorie" without checking the number.
- When should I order a Mai Tai vs a Daiquiri?
- Mai Tai tends to suit different occasions and moods than Daiquiri. The "When to choose" section above gives a side-by-side guide based on flavor intensity, ABV, and occasion fit from WhatDrink data.
- Which is stronger?
- By ABV, Daiquiri is stronger in WhatDrink's recipes: about 30.2% versus 16.4% for Mai Tai. Per serving the alcohol is about the same (1.09 vs 0.96 US standard drinks).