The Mahalo Mai Tai at Le Ono is the grown-up version of the syrupy-sweet mai tais you might have sipped at touristy beach bars. It’s sweet, but not cloyingly so, and packs a boozy punch with less juice than a typical mai tai.
This iteration uses Aperol to give a hint of citrusy bitterness. In less skilled hands, the coconut rum could overpower the drink. Here, it’s tempered by housemade orgeat, pineapple juice and a thick topping of mango-infused foam.
Le Ono is only a 30-minute drive from St. Louis, but this cocktail – and the restaurant’s subtly tropical vibe – could convince you that you’ve traveled much farther.
101 S. Cherry St., O’Fallon, Illinois, leonorestaurant.com
This article appears in April 2024.
