A legendary rum cocktail with roots in mid-century tiki culture, the Mai Tai combines rich rums, zesty lime, and nutty orgeat with orange liqueur for a layered, exotic drink that’s both refreshing and bold.
Cocktail Overview
🍸 Style: Tiki / Tropical
🌿 Flavor Profile: Fruity, nutty, citrusy, complex
🕰 Time to Make: 5 minutes
🥃 Glassware: Rocks glass or tiki mug
🧊 Method: Shaken, served over crushed ice
Yields 1 Serving Servings Quarter (0.25 Servings) Half (0.5 Servings) Default (1 Serving) Double (2 Servings) Triple (3 Servings) Ingredients
1 oz aged Jamaican rum
1 oz dark rum (e.g., Demerara or overproof rum for float)
¾ oz fresh lime juice
½ oz orange curaçao (or triple sec)
½ oz orgeat syrup (almond syrup)
¼ oz simple syrup (optional, to balance if lime is extra tart)
Ice – crushed preferred
Garnish: Mint sprig, lime wheel, spent lime shell, cherry (optional)
Equipment
1
Cocktail shaker
Jigger or measuring tool
Strainer
Rocks or tiki glass
Bar spoon (for float)
Instructions
2 1. Shake the Base
In a shaker filled with ice, combine:
Shake for 10–15 seconds , just until chilled.
2. Serve
Fill a rocks glass or tiki mug with crushed ice .
Strain the mixture over the ice.
Gently float the dark rum on top by pouring it over the back of a spoon.
3. Garnish and Finish
Add a mint sprig , lime wheel , or a spent lime shell (the squeezed half).
Optionally, light the lime shell with overproof rum and sugar for dramatic flair.
Serve with a straw and a tropical attitude.
🍍 Tips & Variations
Classic Trader Vic’s version uses just one rum (Jamaican or Martinique).
Modern tiki twist: Blend the two rums directly instead of floating.
More citrusy: Add a dash of grapefruit or pineapple juice (not traditional).
Make it stronger: Use overproof rum for the float for a bolder kick.
Tips & Variations
3
Classic Trader Vic’s version uses just one rum (Jamaican or Martinique).
Modern tiki twist: Blend the two rums directly instead of floating.
More citrusy: Add a dash of grapefruit or pineapple juice (not traditional).
Make it stronger: Use overproof rum for the float for a bolder kick.
Pairing Suggestions
4
Food: Grilled pineapple, teriyaki skewers, pulled pork sliders
Snacks: Coconut shrimp, tropical salsas, fried plantains
Dessert: Mango sticky rice, coconut panna cotta
Ingredients Ingredients
1 oz aged Jamaican rum
1 oz dark rum (e.g., Demerara or overproof rum for float)
¾ oz fresh lime juice
½ oz orange curaçao (or triple sec)
½ oz orgeat syrup (almond syrup)
¼ oz simple syrup (optional, to balance if lime is extra tart)
Ice – crushed preferred
Garnish: Mint sprig, lime wheel, spent lime shell, cherry (optional)
Directions Equipment
1
Cocktail shaker
Jigger or measuring tool
Strainer
Rocks or tiki glass
Bar spoon (for float)
Instructions
2 1. Shake the Base
In a shaker filled with ice, combine:
Shake for 10–15 seconds , just until chilled.
2. Serve
Fill a rocks glass or tiki mug with crushed ice .
Strain the mixture over the ice.
Gently float the dark rum on top by pouring it over the back of a spoon.
3. Garnish and Finish
Add a mint sprig , lime wheel , or a spent lime shell (the squeezed half).
Optionally, light the lime shell with overproof rum and sugar for dramatic flair.
Serve with a straw and a tropical attitude.
🍍 Tips & Variations
Classic Trader Vic’s version uses just one rum (Jamaican or Martinique).
Modern tiki twist: Blend the two rums directly instead of floating.
More citrusy: Add a dash of grapefruit or pineapple juice (not traditional).
Make it stronger: Use overproof rum for the float for a bolder kick.
Tips & Variations
3
Classic Trader Vic’s version uses just one rum (Jamaican or Martinique).
Modern tiki twist: Blend the two rums directly instead of floating.
More citrusy: Add a dash of grapefruit or pineapple juice (not traditional).
Make it stronger: Use overproof rum for the float for a bolder kick.
Pairing Suggestions
4
Food: Grilled pineapple, teriyaki skewers, pulled pork sliders
Snacks: Coconut shrimp, tropical salsas, fried plantains
Dessert: Mango sticky rice, coconut panna cotta
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