Mai Tai

Name: Mai Tai
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients: 30 ml / 1 oz Aged Jamaican Rum; 30 ml / 1 oz Rhum Agricole; 30 ml / 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice; 15 ml / 0.5 oz Orange Curaçao; 15 ml / 0.5 oz Orgeat Syrup; 7.5 ml / 0.25 oz Simple Syrup

Ingredients Instructions

The Mai Tai is a quintessential rum-based cocktail that perfectly balances sweet, sour, and strong flavors. It's a cornerstone of Tiki culture, celebrated for its refreshing yet complex taste profile. Traditionally made with aged rum, fresh lime juice, orgeat syrup, and orange liqueur, it's a drink that transports you to a tropical paradise. The authentic recipe is a far cry from the overly sweet, fruit-juice-heavy versions often found at resorts.

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time

Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Mai Tai is a classic cocktail and a cornerstone of the Tiki drink category. Tiki cocktails are typically rum-based and feature exotic, fruity, and spicy flavors. It is enjoyed worldwide as a symbol of escapism and tropical leisure.

Serving

Serve this potent, cold cocktail in a chilled Double Old Fashioned glass filled with crushed ice. It is a moderately strong drink with a complex flavor profile.

Serving size

Approximately 150 ml / 5 oz (before ice)

Alcohol content

Approximately 25-30% ABV

Alcohol strength

Serving temperature

Cold

Glass type

Double Old Fashioned

Glass treatment

Chilled

Backstory

The Mai Tai was purportedly invented in 1944 by Victor J. "Trader Vic" Bergeron at his restaurant in Oakland, California. Upon serving it to friends visiting from Tahiti, one exclaimed, "Maita'i roa a'e," which means 'out of this world – the best!' in Tahitian. This gave the drink its famous name and launched its journey to global stardom. Donn Beach of Don the Beachcomber also claimed to have invented it in 1933, sparking one of cocktail history's most famous rivalries.

Origin

United States (Oakland, California), 1944

Mai Tai

The drink is universally known as Mai Tai, a Tahitian phrase meaning 'out of this world – the best!'. It is sometimes referred to as Trader Vic's Mai Tai to distinguish it from other, often fruitier, variations. The name itself has become synonymous with tiki culture.

Original name

Mai Tai

Alternative name

Trader Vic's Mai Tai

Characteristics overview

The Mai Tai boasts a complex flavor profile with notes of citrus, almond, and aged rum, balanced between sweet and sour. It has a smooth texture and a beautiful amber color, making it the quintessential refreshing summer cocktail.

Flavor

Rum, citrusy, nutty, almond, orange, complex, sweet, tart

Aroma

Lime, orange, almond, aged rum, floral

Taste balance

Sweet, sour, strong

Aftertaste

Long, warming, clean, citrus zest

Fizziness

Still

Color appearance

Amber, golden-brown, translucent

Texture

Smooth, crisp

Seasonality

Refreshing, summery, tropical

Flavor intensity & Experience

This is a flavor-intense drink, dominated by sour citrus notes and the complex strength of rum, balanced by moderate sweetness and fruitiness. It is not salty, spicy, creamy, or carbonated.

Sweetness

Saltiness

Sourness

Bitterness

Spiciness

Fruitiness

Creaminess

Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires a specific blend of two types of rum, fresh lime juice, Orange Curaçao, and almond-based orgeat syrup. A touch of simple syrup is added to balance the flavors.

Aged Jamaican Rum30 ml / 1 oz
A pot-still rum like Appleton Estate is classic.
Rhum Agricole30 ml / 1 oz
A Martinique rum like Clément or Rhum J.M. provides a grassy, funky note.
Fresh Lime Juice30 ml / 1 oz
Must be freshly squeezed for best results.
Orange Curaçao15 ml / 0.5 oz
High-quality orange liqueur like Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao is recommended.
Orgeat Syrup15 ml / 0.5 oz
A sweet almond syrup with a hint of orange or rose water.
Simple Syrup7.5 ml / 0.25 oz
1:1 sugar to water ratio. Adjust to taste depending on the sweetness of your orgeat.

Ice type

Crushed

Mixing equipments

You will need a cocktail shaker to mix and chill the ingredients, along with a jigger for accurate measurements. A strainer is necessary to pour the drink without the shaker ice.

Cocktail shaker for chilling and combining ingredients
Jigger for measuring ingredients
Strainer for separating ice after shaking
Citrus juicer for fresh lime juice

Instructions

Preparation involves shaking all liquid ingredients with ice until chilled, then straining the mixture into a glass filled with fresh crushed ice. The drink is finished with its iconic mint and lime shell garnish.

1. Add all ingredients except the garnish into a cocktail shaker.

2. Fill the shaker with cubed ice.

3. Shake vigorously for about 10-12 seconds until well-chilled.

4. Fill a Double Old Fashioned or rocks glass with crushed ice.

5. Strain the cocktail into the glass over the fresh crushed ice.

6. Garnish with the spent lime shell and a large sprig of fresh mint.

7. Serve immediately with a straw.

Garnishing

The traditional garnish is a spent lime half and a generous sprig of fresh mint. This classic presentation is meant to evoke the image of a tropical island.

Spent lime shell and a fresh mint sprig. Place the half lime shell upside down in the drink and insert the mint sprig next to it to resemble a small island.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is typically dairy-free, egg-free, and vegan, but it is not nut-free due to the presence of almond-based orgeat syrup. It is an alcoholic beverage that is naturally caffeine-free and gluten-free.

✓ Contains alcohol

✓ Caffeine-free

✓ Dairy-free

✓ Egg-free

✓ Soy-free

✕ Nut-free

✓ Gluten-free

✓ Vegan-friendly

✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

A single serving of Mai Tai is moderately high in calories and contains a significant amount of carbohydrates and sugar, primarily from the syrups and liqueur. It's a sweet, indulgent cocktail best enjoyed in moderation.

Calories

Approximately 260-300 kcal / 1088-1255 kJ

Calories level

Carbohydrates

Approximately 20-25 grams

Carbohydrate level

Sugar

Approximately 18-22 grams

Sugar level

Occasions

The Mai Tai is perfect for summer gatherings, beach parties, or any occasion that calls for a tropical escape. Its refreshing and festive character makes it a favorite for happy hours and themed events. It's an ideal choice for relaxing by the pool or enjoying a warm evening.

Summer party
Beach vacation
Happy hour
Tiki-themed event

Pairing suggestions

The Mai Tai's sweet and tart profile pairs wonderfully with the savory and spicy flavors found in Polynesian and Asian-inspired cuisine. It complements grilled meats, seafood, and classic Tiki appetizers like spring rolls or coconut shrimp. Its tropical notes also make it a great match for fresh fruit.

Spicy appetizers
Grilled seafood or chicken
Coconut shrimp
Pu pu platters
Fresh fruit platters

The Mai Tai: A Taste of Tiki Paradise

The Mai Tai is a world-renowned Tiki cocktail, celebrated for its perfect harmony of strong, sweet, and sour notes. Created by "Trader Vic" Bergeron in 1944, its name translates to "the best" in Tahitian, a fitting title for this complex and refreshing drink. An authentic Mai Tai is a sophisticated blend of aged rum, lime, orgeat, and orange liqueur, served over crushed ice with a mint and lime garnish. It remains a timeless symbol of tropical escapism and cocktail craftsmanship.