Mai Tai Cocktail
on Sep 01, 2022
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This classic Mai Tai cocktail is boozy, colorful, and delicious! It features two kinds of rum, orange curaçao, lime juice, and orgeat syrup.
Add a Mai Tai to the bar menu at your next get-together! It’s a great choice for a summertime cocktail.
What Is A Mai Tai?
A Mai Tai is a classic rum-based cocktail that was introduced in Hawaii in the 1950s. It’s a sweet and colorful drink with tropical flavors and colors. In addition to two kinds of rum, Mai Tais contain orange curaçao, lime juice, and orgeat syrup.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- white rum
- freshly squeezed lime juice
- orange curaçao, Grand Marnier, triple sec or another type of orange liqueur
- orgeat syrup
- ice
- dark rum
- maraschino cherry, lime wedge, pineapple wedge and mint for garnish
How to Make A Mai Tai
- Pour the white rum, lime juice, orange curacao and orgeat syrup into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously.
- Pour this rum mixture into a glass filled with ice. Slowly add the dark rum by pouring it over a spoon so that it floats on top. Garnish with a maraschino cherry, lime wedge, pineapple wedge, and mint if desired.
What Does A Mai Tai Taste Like?
A Mai Tai is a strong cocktail with the perfect amount of sweetness. It features the citrusy flavors of orange and lime and a hint of caramel from dark rum.
Tips And Tricks
- Choose high-quality white and dark rum for the best results.
- Instead of orange curaçao, use Grand Marnier, triple sec or another type of orange liqueur.
- For a sweeter drink, add freshly squeezed orange juice to taste.
- Pour the dark rum over a spoon to float it on top.
- Add garnishes for a beautiful presentation.
How To Store A Mai Tai Cocktail
A Mai Tai is best enjoyed immediately, but if you’ve already mixed the ingredients without adding ice, it can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.
How To Serve A Mai Tai Cocktail
Serve Mai Tais over ice in a tall cocktail glass. If you’re hosting a party, make a pitcher by multiplying the ingredients by the number of drinks you’ll need. Pour into ice-filled glasses and float the dark rum on top.
What Type Of Rum Is Used In A Mai Tai?
This Mai Tai recipe uses both white and dark rum. For a different flavor, try coconut rum or another flavor of good quality rum.
What Can I Use To Substitute Orgeat Syrup?
Orgeat syrup is made with raw almonds, sugar, water, vodka, and orange flower water. It has a very distinct flavor that’s hard to duplicate. If you can’t source orgeat syrup, you can make a batch of demerara syrup and add ⅛ teaspoon of almond extract.
Mai Tai Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces white rum
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce orange curaçao, Grand Marnier, triple sec or another type of orange liqueur
- ½ ounce orgeat syrup
- ice
- ¾ ounce dark rum
- maraschino cherry, lime wedge, pineapple wedge and mint, for garnish
Instructions
- Pour the white rum, lime juice, orange curacao and orgeat syrup into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously.
- Pour this rum mixture into a glass filled with ice. Slowly add the dark rum by pouring it over a spoon so that it floats on top.
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry, lime wedge, pineapple wedge, and mint if desired.
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.
