A Mai Tai is a classic rum cocktail that is a popular drink of choice for home bartenders, bars and lounges, and vacation destinations! This famous tiki drink is made with two types of rum, orange curacao, orgeat syrup, and lime juice. It's a complex flavor combination that keeps this delicious cocktail on the menus!
Best Mai Tai Rum Cocktail
A Mai Tai cocktail is made with a delicious blend of light and dark rum, lime juice, orange curaçao, and orgeat syrup. It's a refreshing and satisfying drink, perfect for sipping on a hot day or as a fun addition to any social party (especially if it's tiki-themed)!
The Mai Tai has a complex flavor profile that balances the sweetness of the orgeat and curaçao with the tartness of the lime juice and the rich, earthy notes of the rum. If rum is your liquor of choice, then this Mai Tai cocktail is sure to become a new favorite!
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🌎 Origin
The Mai Tai is a tropical cocktail that is believed to have originated in California, USA in the 1940s or 1950s. The drink is often associated with Polynesia, but it was actually created by a man named Victor J Bergeron, who owned a restaurant and bar called Trader Vic's in Oakland, California.
According to legend, the Mai Tai was created by Bergeron when entertaining some friends from Tahiti. He wanted to make a drink that would showcase the flavors of the South Pacific, so he combined two types of rum, lime juice, orange curaçao, and orgeat syrup to create a sweet and fruity cocktail.
The Mai Tai quickly became popular at Trader Vic's and then spread to other bars and restaurants in California and beyond. Today, Mai Tai is considered one of the classic tiki drinks and is enjoyed worldwide.
🍹 Mai Tai Ingredients
This is not a drink to eyeball the ingredients because it's all about getting the flavor just right. Using 3 parts white rum and 1 part dark rum is the perfect balance.
- White Rum - 1 ½ ounces of white rum or rhum agricole,
- Orgeat Syrup - ¾ ounce of orgeat syrup. Learn how to make homemade orgeat syrup right here!
- Lime Juice - ¾ ounce of lime juice. Use freshly squeezed lime juice for the best flavor.
- Orange Curacao - ½ ounce of orange curacao. Look for a good-quality orange curaçao, such as Cointreau or Grand Marnier. To learn all about these 2 orange liqueurs, check out my post on Cointreau vs Grand Marnier.
- Dark Rum - ½ ounce of dark rum, Jamaican aged rum is typical.
- Lime Wheel (optional) - 1 lime wheel for garnish.
- Mint (optional) - 1 sprig of fresh mint for garnish.
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
🍸 How To Make A Mai Tai Cocktail
When making a Mai Tai you have to gently float the dark rum on top of the mixed drink, but don't worry, it's easier than it sounds! To get started, grab your usual measuring utensils (a jigger, shot glasses, or a home bar kit) and a shaker.
- Fill the shaker. Fill a cocktail shaker with crushed ice followed by 1 ½ ounces of white rum, ¾ ounce of orgeat syrup, ¾ of lime juice, and ½ ounce of orange curacao.
- Shake it up. Shake gently for just a few seconds, then pour the contents of your shaker into a double rocks glass.
- Float dark rum. Carefully pour in ½ ounce of dark rum to float it on top. Then, garnish with 1 lime wheel and/or 1 fresh sprig of mint, and enjoy.
In place of the lime wheel, an orange wheel, pineapple wedge, Maraschino cherry, or a candied orange slice could be used. Even with no garnish, this classic rum cocktail is super tasty! Enjoy!
🥂 Cocktail Tips & Variations
- Crushed ice is a common way to prepare and serve this drink. As an alternative, you can shake and strain over ice cubes.
- There are many variations of Mai Tai cocktails and one of the best parts is trying to find the perfect flavor balance between the two rums. Some people prefer spiced dark rum and coconut-flavored light rum for a more tropical twist. Feel free to play around with different kinds of rum and then make it your own!
- Orgeat syrup is an essential part of a traditional Mai Tai cocktail. You can play with other fruit syrups, and it will be delicious just not technically a Mai Tai. Check out my amaretto substitute page for a few non-alcoholic almond-flavored alternatives to orgeat syrup.
🍲 Foods To Serve With
Whether you are throwing a tiki party or just enjoying a cocktail to relax, pairing your drink with the right food will make it taste even better! Seafood is always a great choice when enjoying this 'island drink'.
- Grilled Jamaican Jerk Red Snapper
- Steamed Clams
- Breaded Stuffed Scallops
- Broiled Lobster Tails
- Crab-Stuffed Salmon
- Coconut Loaf Cake
>>>>See all of my recipes here<<<<
❓ Recipe FAQs
Traditionally, a Mai Tai is made with two types of rum: Jamaican dark rum and Martinique rhum agricole. Jamaican dark rum is known for its rich, complex flavor, while Martinique rhum agricole is made from fresh sugar cane juice and has a grassy, herbal flavor. However, you can also use other types of rum, such as aged rum or spiced rum, depending on your personal taste preferences.
Orgeat syrup can be found at most liquor stores, or you could order it online! You can also make your own orgeat syrup with blanched almonds, sugar, water, brandy, and orange blossom water.
This Mai Tai is definitely rum-forward, so you can taste the alcohol. It is made with dark rum, white rum, orange curacao, and orgeat syrup- all of which contain alcohol.
🍷 More Tasty Cocktails
- White Lady Cocktail - Gin and lemon juice come together in this elegant and classic cocktail.
- Sidecar Cocktail - This smooth and sophisticated drink combines cognac, triple sec, and lemon juice.
- Whiskey Sour Cocktail - A go-to cocktail for whiskey lovers everywhere!
- Blue Lagoon Cocktail - This vibrant blue cocktail features blue curacao, vodka, and lemonade for the perfect summer drink.
- Hot Toddy - A warm and comforting drink made with whiskey, honey, lemon juice, and hot water.
- Bahama Mama - If you're looking for a fruity vacation-style cocktail, then a Bahama mama is just the thing!
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📖 Recipe Card
Mai Tai
Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz white rum (or rhum agricole)
- ¾ oz orgeat syrup
- ¾ oz lime juice
- ½ oz orange curacao
- ½ oz dark rum
- 1 lime wheel (optional, garnish)
- 1 sprig mint (optional, garnish)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with crushed ice followed by the white rum, orgeat syrup, lime juice, orange curacao.
- Shake gently for just a few seconds, then pour the contents of your shaker into a double rocks glass.
- Carefully pour in the dark rum to float it on top. Garnish with a lime wheel and/or fresh sprig of mint and enjoy.
Notes
- Crushed ice is a common way to prepare and serve this drink. If you prefer, you can shake and strain over ice cubes.
- There are many variations of Mai Tai cocktails and one of the best parts is trying to find the perfect flavor balance between the two rums. Some people prefer spiced dark rum and coconut-flavored light rum for a more tropical twist. Feel free to play around with different kinds of rum and make it your own!
- Orgeat syrup is an essential part of a traditional Mai Tai cocktail. You can play with other fruit syrups, and it will be delicious just not technically a Mai Tai. Check out my amaretto substitute page for a few non-alcoholic almond-flavored alternatives to orgeat syrup.
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