The Mai Tai is tiki royalty—tropical, complex, and far more refined than its fruity reputation suggests. Created in 1944 by Trader Vic (or Don the Beachcomber, depending who you ask), the original recipe features aged rum, lime juice, orange curaçao, and orgeat (almond syrup). The result is a nutty, citrusy, and deeply flavorful cocktail that’s equal parts paradise and pedigree. If your Mai Tai is pink and full of pineapple, you’ve been misled—this one’s all about balance, not beach bar excess.