Mai Tai

tropicaltangyboldRefreshingtikiFruity

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.

Ingredients

Garnishlime wheel, mint sprig

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Directions

  1. 1

    Add white rum, orange curaçao, lime juice, and orgeat to a shaker with ice.

  2. 2

    Shake well until chilled.

  3. 3

    Strain into a rocks glass filled with crushed ice.

  4. 4

    Float the dark rum gently on top.

  5. 5

    Garnish with a lime wheel and a mint sprig.

Key Info

Style

tiki

Family

tiki

Flavor

Zesty lime and almond with smooth, rich aged rum

Time of Day

anytime

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