The Mai Tai has been around for many decades and is a tried-and-true favorite amongst bar folk. There are countless recipe variations of this tropical co*cktail (many places slap together a fruity concoction and label it a Mai Tai… incorrectly). The actual recipe uses rum, lime, curaçao (come again?) and orgeat syrup (what the heck is that?!). Curacao is an orange flavored liqueur, similar to triple sec but a pinch sweeter. Orgeat is a sweet almond-flavored syrup, and a staple of a real Mai Tai. It is commonly pronounced “or-zhat”, though the proper pronunciation is “or-zsa”, as it’s French terminology.
The magical combination of rum, lime, curacao, and orgeat is delightful any time of year, and has earned its keep in the bar scene over many, many years. This also happens to be a fabulous tropical co*cktail for those who are not keen on coconut, which is a wildly common flavor in tropical-themed drinks. It’s still a fun, fruity co*cktail, but with a milder sweetness than a lot of typical beachy drinks.
HISTORY
The Mai Tai has been around since the World War II era and was created by a fellow named Victor Bergeron. Victor lived in Oakland, California, and in 1944, he was playing around with recipes and created a new co*cktail at his Polynesian-themed pub, Trader Vic’s Bar. As those of us in the industry tend to do, he first shared his new co*cktail with two of his buddies, both being Tahitian. As the story goes, one of his friends took a sip and shouted, “Mai tai-roa ae!” meaning “out of this world- the best!” Right there, Victor named his new creation the “Mai Tai.” A fitting name for a co*cktail that would end up being one of the most recognizable, out-of-this-world drinks many decades later.
Unfortunately, many places produce a somewhat tiki-inspired co*cktail and slap the name Mai Tai on it. (C’mon people… get a little creative with your names!) Because of this, many people likely have not tried a true Mai Tai in its original glory.
So, let’s say we fix that today?! Check out this recipe and make it yourself so you can see what all the fuss is about… the right way!
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission,
at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.
Please see my full disclosures page for further information.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
TOOLS WE NEED
GLASSWARE: Hurricane Glass
MEASURING: Jigger
INGREDIENTS
Jamaican or Spiced Rum
Lime Juice
Orange Curacao (Try Giffard Orange Curacao, or any decent orange liqueur, i.e. Cointreau)
Orgeat Sryup
Simple Syrup (learn how to make Simple Syrup here)
Orange Slice (or Lime Slice)
Cherry
Mint Sprig
Optional: co*cktail Umbrella
Optional: Tropical co*cktail Pick
Cute add-on’s really make a co*cktail extra fun and perfect for a great photo-op!
RECIPE & PROCEDURE
NOTE: Let’s say you have no access to orgeat syrup in the moment. In a bind, you could substitute a decent amaretto (almond flavored liqueur) and still end up with a decent co*cktail. HOWEVER, next time you’re strolling through the store, keep your eyes peeled for some Orgeat Syrup for a mind-blowingly awesome co*cktail. Or, if you’re like me and know there’s no chance you’ll remember to put that in the grocery cart, check out this Orgeat Syrup on Amazon for easy and simple delivery.
Can’t get enough of tropical co*cktails?
Check out this recipe for a Painkiller!
Mai Tai Mocktail (non-alcoholic)
1.5 oz Lime
1 oz Orange Juice
1 oz Simple Syrup
1 oz Orgeat Sryup
Orange (or Lime) Slice
Cherry
Mint Sprig
Optional: co*cktail Umbrella and/or Tropical co*cktail Pick
- In a shaker tin, add a scoop of ice.
- Pour in lime juice, orange juice, simple syrup, and orgeat syrup.
- Cover the shaker tin and shake!
- Remove cover on shaker tin.
- Grab your hurricane glass and fill it with fresh ice.
- Grab a strainer and pour the shaker tin contents into the hurricane glass over the fresh ice.
- Garnish.
CHEERS! 🙂
Love, T <3
Love it? Share it!
