“Don’t worry, these are designed to share,” says our server, upon bringing out the new drink towers now available at Aloha Mamacita. Each tower is jaw-dropping because of its sheer size, but each drinks’ vibrant hue makes it even more noticeable.
Each drink tower contains more than 64 ounces of liquid. I’m reassured, though, that a minimum of two people are required to order this. In reality, one tower can serve four to five people.
“We decided to add the drink towers (to our menu) because we miss the old Shirokiya,” says business owner Kimberly Nguyen, referring to the popular beer towers at the former Shirokiya Japan Village Walk at Ala Moana Center. “We had great memories [there]. [The drink towers are a] great way to get people together.”
Guests can choose from craft cocktail ($65, happy hour $55), margarita ($55, happy hour $45), matcha ($55, happy hour $45) and horchata ($45, happy hour $40) towers. Featured horchata flavors include the OG, ube, strawberry and matcha. The AMF — Adios Mamacita, aka the eatery’s twist on the popular blue, boozy drink — features vodka, gin, rum, tequila, blue curacao, Harders ramune syrup, sour mix and Sprite.
Rest assured that the eatery still offers individually sized cocktails. A new beverage menu was introduced when the eatery got its liquor license a few months ago.
Popular options include the Mamacita margarita ($14) — tequila, lime, triple sec and sweet n sour — Ramune Spritz ($15), an aesthetic combo (vodka, ramune, club soda and ramune foam) that’s inspired by the Japanese carbonated soft drink, and the Dubai chocolate matcha martini ($15). The latter is probably one of my favorites because of its sweeter flavors — vodka, kahlua, pistachio cream, chocolate ganache and matcha.
In addition to its drink towers, the popular taco spot just launched its version of the popular crunch wrap. Once you get the wrap, you’ll see that the price is justified by its size. The birria big back crunch wrap ($18.95) is loaded with slow-cooked birria beef, mozzarella cheese, cilantro and red onions in a flour tortilla. It delivers that signature crunch with each bite. The blend of savory beef, melted cheese, sour cream and cilantro lime crema is a flavor explosion with each bite.
You can also upgrade to a carne asada steak crunch wrap ($20.95).
The eatery’s birria street taco set with consommé ($12.95) continues to be a signature dish and one of its bestsellers. The set includes three three-inch slow-cooked birria beef tacos with cilantro and red onions. The tacos boast enough flavor on their own, thanks to the savory birria meat, but the consommé adds another dimension of flavor and a bit of heat. It’s messy to eat, but worth it.
Another customer favorite is the Korean fried chicken bao set ($17.95), which comprises fried chicken dipped in Korean garlic sauce and topped with pickled onions and cilantro in steamed buns. The chicken is crispy on the outside and juicy inside, with the perfect salty-sweet flavor from the Korean garlic sauce.
I can never seem to leave Aloha Mamacita without getting fish tacos. While they aren’t a new dish, they always satisfy my craving. This taco trio ($17.95) features 6-inch corn tortillas filled with fried basa topped with pickled veggies and cilantro crema sauce. The lightly battered fish boasts a nice crisp, complemented nicely by the bright veggies and flavorful crema.
CONTACT
Aloha Mamacita
Waterfront Plaza
500 Ala Moana Blvd. Ste. 4A, Honolulu
808-650-0029
Instagram: @aloha.mamacita
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
