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    Home » Classic Cocktails » Classic Mai Tai Cocktail Recipe

    Published: Feb 26, 2021 · Modified: Feb 25, 2022 by Kevin Mayfield · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Classic Mai Tai Cocktail Recipe

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    The Mai Tai is one of the most famous Tiki cocktails, and it was invented by Trader Vic himself!

    Mai Tai cocktail in highball glass
    The classic Mai Tai is Tiki cocktail royalty!

    The Mai Tai is King of the Tiki Cocktails

    This classic Tiki cocktail is claimed by none other than Trader Vic himself, Victor Bergeron. Vic said he invented it at his Oakland, CA restaurant in 1944. The name is derived from Tahitian, meaning 'good' or 'excellent.' The Tahitians got that right!

    This drink makes a brief appearance in my favorite Tiki movie, Elvis Presley's Blue Hawaii. It played a role in helping jump start the Tiki movement from the islands and the west coast to all around the country.

    So I remember being served my first Mai Tai at 35,000 feet on a United Airlines flight when Nancy and I were on our honeymoon. It was so strong it nearly ate through the plastic cup! In fact, it wasn't very good and put me off Mai Tai's until I learned it was most likely made from a mix.

    That's one of the few problems with Tiki drinks. Rather than taking the time to make it from scratch, many people just use a packaged mix and some rum. That's too bad, because rather than the overly sweet, artificially flavored drink a mix makes, taking your time to hand-craft one results in a clean, crisp cocktail.

    Here's What You'll Need to Make a Mai Tai

    I'm not sure why people think that Tiki drinks are more complicated than they are. Maybe because they are so exotic; but as you can see, there are just a few spirits and some fruit juice:

    • Light rum
    • Dark rum
    • Orange curacao
    • Fresh-squeezed lime juice
    • Orgeat syrup
    • Mint leaves and lime wheel garnish

    And don't forget the crushed ice! This drink is best served in a highball cocktail glass. The particular glass in these pictures is an original Dorothy Thorpe glass, as seen on Mad Men being used by Don Draper.

    Bar Tools Needed

    This Tiki drink uses only a few of your bar tools:

    • Jigger
    • Bar spoon
    • Lemon/lime Juicer

    Tips for Success

    While this is one of the classic Tiki drinks, it doesn't mean that you can't take a couple of liberties with the quantities of the ingredients to adjust it for your palate. This is one strong rum-forward cocktail, but if you want to sip something smooth on a warm afternoon the Mai Tai can come across a little too strong. So, here are a couple of tips to smooth out the rough edges of the rum:

    • Add a full one ounce of the almond flavored orgeat syrup
    • Use one full ounce of the orange curacao

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What can I use in place of orgeat syrup?

    Unless you are planning on mixing a lot of Mai Tai's, you may not have orgeat syrup in your home bar. Almond syrup is a good substitute. I've seen people use the Torani brand, which is often used as a flavor in coffee. That way, you've got both your morning and evening drinks covered!

    What is the best rum for a mai tai?

    There are plenty of different brands of rums available that run the gamut from bargain price to very expensive. When mixing a mai tai, I prefer to use a light rum as the base and pour my dark rum in at the end. I still prefer the sweetness of Bacardi rum for the light rum. For my dark rum, I use Brugal Ron Reserva XV from the Dominican Republic. However, you can use the dark rum you prefer.

    What is orgeat syrup made of?

    Orgeat syrup is made from sugar, almonds, and rose water. It is very sweet and can be used in a number of cocktails such as the Mai Tai and the Whiskey Daisy.

    What alcohol goes into a Mai Tai?

    The primary spirit for a Mai Tai is rum. It also contains orange curacao liqueur.

    Before you go, did you try this cocktail? Why not leave a comment in the Comments section along with a rating? I always appreciate hearing from you and getting your feedback.

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    Mai Tai cocktail in highball glass.

    Classic Mai Tai Cocktail Recipe

    Kevin Mayfield
    This rum-forward classic Tiki cocktail has been a favorite since it was introduced by Trader Vic's because it tastes fantastic and packs a punch!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 2 minutes mins
    Total Time 2 minutes mins
    Course Classic Cocktails
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 Cocktail
    Calories 233 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 ½ ounces light rum
    • ½ to 1 ounce orange curaçao
    • ½ to 1 ounce orgeat syrup
    • ½ ounce fresh squeezed lime juice
    • ¾ ounce dark rum

    Instructions
     

    • Place a scoop of fresh ice in a cocktail shaker
    • Pour the light rum, orange curaçao and lime juice into the cocktail shaker and shake for 30 seconds
    • Fill a highball glass with crushed ice
    • Strain the ingredients from the shaker into the glass
    • Gently pour the dark rum onto the drink so it 'sits' on top
    • Rub a couple of sprigs of mint leaves around the rim of the glass to express the oils, then stick them directly into the cocktail
    • Garnish the rim of the glass with a lime wheel

    Notes

    You can stir this drink to mix the rums or just enjoy the strong dark rum on the first couple of sips
    Aside from going a little heavy on the sweet ingredients, I actually cut back a little on the lime juice because it can be very sour

    Nutrition

    Calories: 233kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 10mgPotassium: 31mgFiber: 1gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 7IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword 1950’s cocktail, Blue Hawaii movie, Hawaiian cocktail, madmen cocktail, mid century cocktail, movie cocktail, rat pack cocktail, rum cocktail, Tiki cocktail, tropical cocktail
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    About Kevin Mayfield

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    Nancy and Bentley

    Hi, I'm Nancy! Welcome to Flourchild where I share classic mid-century recipes from the 1940's - 1970's. I feature many vintage handwritten recipes, and provide modern shortcuts and a variety of healthy and special diet-friendly versions whenever possible. Join me in exploring the delicious flavors and from-scratch cooking techniques of our past!

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