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 noticeably lighter in calories (93 kcal difference). Daiquiri is stronger at 30.2% ABV vs 16.4% for Mai Tai. Mai Tai is sweeter — Daiquiri is the drier choice.
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
Daiquiri is meaningfully lower in estimated calories (93 kcal difference). Keep in mind alcohol contributes calories even without sugar, so ABV matters too.
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?
- They differ in their overall build, flavor balance, ingredients, strength, serving style, or some combination of those factors. The nutrition comparison on this page shows how they differ on calories, sugar, and alcohol — but flavor and build are usually the deciding factors.
- What does a Mai Tai taste like?
- Mai Tai has a distinct flavor defined by its core ingredients. The tasting notes and flavor tags on this page draw from WhatDrink recipe data. See the individual Mai Tai page for a full flavor breakdown.
- What does a Daiquiri taste like?
- Daiquiri has a different character shaped by its own ingredient combination. The comparison table above highlights how the two drinks differ on flavor direction as well as nutrition.
- 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?
- ABV estimates for both drinks are shown in the comparison table. Strength depends on the recipe — some variations of Mai Tai are stronger than some versions of Daiquiri and vice versa. Always check the specific recipe.