Tropical & Tiki · Rum Cocktails · Classic Cocktails
Mai Tai
Far from the sugary versions it inspired, the original Mai Tai is a sophisticated rum sour.
- Base spirit
- Rum
- Origin
- Oakland, California, USA
- Period
- 1944
- Creator
- Victor 'Trader Vic' Bergeron
Ingredients
IBA official specification
- Amber Jamaican rum30 ml
- Martinique rhum agricole30 ml
- Orange curaçao15 ml
- Orgeat syrup15 ml
- Fresh lime juice30 ml
- Simple syrup7.5 ml
- Glass
- Double old fashioned
- Ice
- Crushed
- Garnish
- Mint sprig and lime shell
- Technique
- Shaken
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Prep time
- 6 min
Method
- 01
Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
- 02
Shake briefly but firmly.
- 03
Pour into a double old fashioned glass filled with crushed ice.
- 04
Garnish with a spent lime shell and a generous mint sprig.
Tasting Notes
- Aroma
- Funky rum, almond, mint
- Finish
- Nutty and long
- Character
- Complex and tropical
Tasting scores are MIXY editorial assessments.
History & Background
Trader Vic dated its creation to 1944 at his Oakland restaurant.
Disputed or unverified
Donn Beach also claimed an earlier drink of the same name, though the recipes differ significantly.
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