MAI TAI COCKTAIL RECIPE

WRITTEN BY: SCOTT VAN DORT

The Mai Tai is a Rum cocktail and one of the most famous Tiki drinks in the world. A bold blend of rich Dark Rum, zesty Lime Juice, fruity Orange Curaçao, and sweet Almond Syrup, reminiscent of Marzipan, pairs beautifully with the Cherry garnish. Each sip offers a perfect balance of sweet and tangy, much like a fruity punch.

In the video on this page, Ricardo ‘Rico’ Dynan, Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador, makes two Mai Tai variations…and two very different ones at that. One is known as Don the Beachcomber’s Mai Tai, and the other is Trader Vic’s Mai Tai.

Most modern Mai Tai recipes are based on Trader Vic’s recipe, and that’s the one we’ll focus on here. It’s also Rico’s personal favorite of the two. Make no mistake though, “Both are sublime, and both are the epitome of Tiki,” adds Rico.

Grab your Boston Shaker and let’s get mixing Trader Vic’s Mai Tai.

How To Make a Mai Tai

What You’ll Need

• Paring Knife 
• Citrus Elbow
• Glass Jug
• Boston Shaker
• Jigger or Measuring Instrument 
• Hawthorne Strainer
• Rocks Glass

Unsure about any of the tools listed? Check out this article where we highlight the 7 essential bartending tools.

How to Mix

1. Use a Paring Knife to cut one Lime in half with a Paring Knife. Using a Citrus Elbow, juice one half into a Glass Jug.
2. Measure and pour Lime Juice into a Boston Shaker. Then, measure and pour in Simple Syrup.
3. Measure and pour in Orgeat Almond Syrup.
4. Measure and pour in Rum.
5. Fill the Shaker with Ice Cubes and shake until ice-cold (about 10 seconds).
6. Fill a Rocks Glass with Ice Cubes. Place a Hawthorne Strainer over the larger tin of the Shaker and pour the mixture into the Rocks Glass.
7. Garnish by placing one Mint Sprig into the Glass, along with a Fresh Cherry and a Dehydrated Lime Wheel.
8. Sip and enjoy!

The History of The Mai Tai Cocktail

The Mai Tai is said to have been invented in 1944 by Trader Vic in Oakland, California. Trader Vic, together with Donn Beach, is one of the founding fathers of what we consider Tiki culture today.

Tiki culture is essentially a retro, mid-century American vibe blending Polynesian art, tropical cocktails, and island-inspired decor. It’s believed that Tiki culture kicked off in 1933, right after Prohibition. Today, you can find Tiki-themed bars and restaurants all around the world.

The Mai Tai cocktail was introduced to the Hawaiian Islands in the 1950s and quickly gained popularity throughout mainland USA during the Tiki bar boom in the 1950s and 1960s.

According to legend, the drink’s name originates from the Tahitian word for “goodness” or “excellence” and is usually spelled in two words – Mai Tai.

Today, it’s one of the most famous and loved Tiki drinks in the world and has been for decades.

 Tips for Making a Perfect Mai Tai

• Add a Float of Dark Jamaican Rum
  After mixing your drink and pouring it into your Rocks Glass, for the final classic touch, Rico suggests sprinkling some Dark Jamaican Rum on top to create a Rum Float.

  The easiest way to do this is to lay a Bar Spoon over the top of your Glass, and slowly drizzle the Rum over the back of the Spoon. The float not only elevates the flavor and adds complexity to the cocktail, but it also makes it look pretty. And who doesn’t love pretty drinks?

Variations of a Mai Tai

• Don the Beachcomber’s Mai Tai
  Although this Mai Tai shares many of the same ingredients as the Trader Vic’s version, the two are actually very different. “Very reminiscent of Jamaican Rum Punch – you have the Cloves, you have the Bitters, that little bit of Grapefruit. It’s very pungent. It’s great. It’s fresh,” shares Rico. Watch this video to learn how to make Don the Beachcomber’s Mai Tai.

• Mai Tai Special
  This Mai Tai variation is special indeed. It mixes four different types of Rum – Cuban Rum, Dark Rum, Jamaican Rum and Light Rum – together with Lemon Juice, Orange Juice, Pineapple Juice and finally Orange Curaçao. Fruity? You bet! Delicious? Beyond words. Discover how to make a Mai Tai Special.

• Virgin Mai Tai
  One of the best mocktails you can make if you want to impress your friends is a Virgin Mai Tai, which boasts all the deliciously rich, sweet, and syrupy tanginess of the original alcohol version. Perhaps best of all is the combination of the Maraschino Cherry garnish and the Marzipan-like flavors from Orgeat Almond Syrup. Dee-licious!Mix 2 parts Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice, 2 parts Pineapple Juice, ¾ Part Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice, ½ Part Simple Syrup, ¼ Part Orgeat Almond Syrup, and ¼ Part Grenadine. Garnish with a Maraschino Cherry, a sprig of Mint and an Orange Wedge.

  Truth to be told, a Virgin Mai Tai is like drinking a rich, sweet, syrupy, fruity punch. Mmm, mmm!

Serving and Garnish Ideas for a Mai Tai

We recommend serving a Mai Tai in a Rocks Glass and adding no less than three garnishes. Garnish with a Dehydrated Lime Wheel, a Fresh Cherry and a Mint Sprig for the full authentic experience.