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Mai Tai

The quintessential tiki cocktail featuring rum, orange curaçao, orgeat syrup, and fresh lime juice. Tropical, complex, and legendary.

Ingredients

  • 2 ozAged rum
  • ½ ozOrange curaçao
  • ½ ozOrgeat syrup
  • ¾ ozLime juice
  • ¼ ozSimple syrup (optional)

Method

  1. 1Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice
  2. 2Shake vigorously for 15 seconds
  3. 3Double strain into a tiki mug or rocks glass over crushed ice
  4. 4Garnish with mint sprig and lime wheel

Bar tools

  • Cocktail shaker
  • Hawthorne strainer
  • Jigger
Glassware
Tiki mug or rocks glass
Method
shake
Makes
1 drink
Garnish
Mint sprig and lime wheel
rumtropicaltikisourcitrus

The Mai Tai is the most famous tiki cocktail in the world, representing the pinnacle of tropical cocktail culture. It's a perfect example of how complex ingredients can create something truly extraordinary.

History

Created in 1944 by Victor "Trader Vic" Bergeron, the Mai Tai was named after the Tahitian phrase "Mai Tai Roa Ae" meaning "out of this world, the best." It's considered the crown jewel of tiki culture and has influenced countless other tropical drinks.

Source: Classic cocktail