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The classic Mai Tai cocktail is made with a combination of white and aged Jamaican rum, orange curaçao, lime juice, and orgeat syrup (made from almonds). Contrary to popular belief, there is no fruit juice, pineapple, grenadine, or cherries!
Over the years, the Mai Tai has fallen victim to common bartender shortcuts like artificial sweeteners and overly sweet mixers. The classic version of this cocktail is far more refreshing, sophisticated, and dynamic, with the focus being on fresh citrus, sugar, and aged rum.
Brief History
The origin of the Mai Tai is often credited to Victor J. Bergeron, better known as Trader Vic, who created the cocktail in 1944 at his Polynesian-themed restaurant in Oakland, California.
Inspired by his travels in the South Pacific, Trader Vic sought to capture the essence of the islands in a glass. The name “Mai Tai” is said to be a phrase in Tahitian meaning “out of this world” or “the best.” If you’re scratching your head in shock that the cocktail doesn’t have a more exotic or tropical history you’re not alone!
If you’re looking for more delicious rum cocktails, try the Jungle Bird, Hemingway Daiquiri, Piña Colada, and Blackberry Mojito!
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Aged rum: aged rum gets color and complex caramel/vanilla nuances from barrel-aging. Many cocktail variations call for a combination of gold and dark rum. It’s not mandatory but it’s worth experimenting with if you have a rum collection. Appleton 12 and El Dorado 12 are popular options.
- Orgeat (almond-flavored simple syrup): orgeat syrup is a sweet syrup made from almonds, sugar, and either rose water or orange flower water. It’s the most essential ingredient in the cocktail to make a true Mai Tai, however, you can substitute it with simple syrup, a dash of orange bitters, and a drop of almond extract for a different alternative.
- Fresh lime juice: always opt for freshly squeezed citrus. If you must use premade, opt for ReaLime.
- Orange liqueur or Dry Curaçao: can be used almost interchangeably in most cocktails. Cointreau works too.
- Fresh mint leaves: mint adds an essential aroma that caps off the entire drink. Slap a few sprigs against the back of your hand before garnishing to release the oils. See also the classic Mojito and bourbon smash for more minty cocktails.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities below.
Expert Tips
- Slap a sprig of mint leaves against the back of your hand before garnishing to release the oils/aroma. You can also hit it around the rim of your glass. It makes a noticeable difference.
- Grab your Orgeat on Amazon. It’s the best place to find it as it can be difficult to find in the grocery store.
- Freeze your glasses before serving. This prevents immediate temp loss and keeps your drink cooler for longer.
- If you don’t have access to crushed ice, a Lewis bag and wooden mallet is an awesome and easy way to crush ice on demand.
More Rum Cocktails
Enjoy this recipe? If you made this cocktail, please leave a ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ star rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments!
Mai Tai
Ingredients
- 1 ounce dark rum, pref. Jamaican
- 1 ounce white rum
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1/2 ounce curacao or orange liqueur
- 1/2 ounce orgeat, almond simple syrup
- 2-3 fresh mint leaves plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Combine rum, curaçao, lime juice, and orgeat in a cocktail shaker with a small handful of crushed ice.
- Shake gently just enough to chill and pour/strain into a double old-fashioned glass over crushed ice filled to the top.
- Slap a sprig of mint leaves against the back of your hand and around the rim of the glass before garnishing. This will release the oils/aroma. Garnish with a lime wedge and fresh mint sprig.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
