Classic Mai Tai Cocktail Recipe (Trader Vic's Original)
The Mai Tai, a quintessential tiki cocktail, was born in 1944 at Trader Vic's in Oakland, California. Known for its refreshing blend of rums, citrus, and almond flavors, this drink transports you to a tropical paradise with each sip.
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Old Fashioned glass (rocks glass)
- Jigger or measuring tool
- Citrus Juicer
- Bar spoon (for dark rum float)
- Lewis bag and mallet (for crushed ice)
- Hawthorne strainer
Ingredients
Cocktail Ingredients
- 1 oz white rum 30ml; recommended: Bacardi or Havana Club
- 1 oz dark rum 30ml; recommended: Myers's or Gosling's Black Seal — reserve for float (see Step 3)
- 0.5 oz fresh lime juice 15ml; freshly squeezed for best flavour
- 0.5 oz orange curaçao 15ml; recommended: Cointreau or Grand Marnier
- 0.25 oz orgeat syrup 7.5ml; almond syrup, available at specialty stores
- 0.25 oz simple syrup 7.5ml; homemade or store-bought
- ¾ cup ice cubes for shaking
- 1½ cups crushed ice for serving
- 1 sprig fresh mint for garnish
- 1 slice lime for garnish
- 1 piece maraschino cherry for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Add the white rum, lime juice, orange curaçao, orgeat syrup, and simple syrup to an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds until the outside of the shaker is frosted and cold to the touch.1 oz white rum, 0.5 oz fresh lime juice, 0.5 oz orange curaçao, 0.25 oz orgeat syrup, 0.25 oz simple syrup, ¾ cup ice cubes
- Strain the mixture over crushed ice in an Old Fashioned glass.1½ cups crushed ice
- Gently float 1 oz (30ml) dark rum on top by slowly pouring it over the back of a bar spoon held just above the surface of the drink (optional).1 oz dark rum
- Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint, a lime slice, and a maraschino cherry if desired. Serve immediately.1 sprig fresh mint, 1 slice lime, 1 piece maraschino cherry
Notes
Storage: A Mai Tai does not store well once made — ice dilutes it within minutes. Drink immediately after preparing.
Batch Prep: Combine all liquid ingredients (both rums, lime juice, curaçao, orgeat, simple syrup) in a sealed jar without ice and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Shake individual servings with ice to order.
Substitution: Triple sec can replace orange curaçao in a pinch, though curaçao adds a slightly more bitter, complex orange note. Amaretto can stand in for orgeat at half the quantity (⅛ oz) — reduce simple syrup to compensate.
Pro Tip: Shake hard for a full 10–15 seconds until the outside of the shaker is frosted — this chills the drink fast and provides just enough dilution to smooth out the alcohol edge without watering it down. Lightly muddle the mint sprig before garnishing to release its essential oils and add an aromatic top note.
Serving Suggestion: Pairs well with coconut shrimp, teriyaki chicken skewers, poke bowls, or grilled pineapple.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 243kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 0.1gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.02gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.02gSodium: 33mgPotassium: 34mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 52IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 24mgIron: 0.4mg
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