Mai Tai
A complex tiki classic balancing rum, lime, orange and almond.
Drink details
Glass
Old Fashioned Glass
Ice
Crushed
Method
Shaken
Strength
Strong
Servings
1
Recipe
Ingredients
Amber Jamaican Rum
30 ml
Martinique Molasses Rhum
30 ml
Orange Curaçao
15 ml
Orgeat Syrup
15 ml
Lime Juice
Freshly squeezed
30 ml
Simple Syrup
7.5 ml
Garnish
Pineapple Spear
1 piece
Mint
1 sprig
Lime Peel
1 piece
Rating
Rate this drink
Method
Preparation
- 1
Add the Amber Jamaican Rum, Martinique Molasses Rhum, Orange Curaçao, orgeat syrup, freshly squeezed lime juice and simple syrup to a shaker with ice.
- 2
Shake well and pour into the serving glass.
- 3
Garnish with a pineapple spear, a mint sprig and lime peel.
About the Mai Tai
The Mai Tai is a classic tropical cocktail built around rum, citrus and orange liqueur, with almond-flavored orgeat providing its distinctive character. Created during the development of American tiki culture, the drink is designed to showcase rum rather than conceal it beneath fruit juice. Lime supplies acidity, orange liqueur adds citrus depth and orgeat contributes sweetness, nuttiness and texture, producing a complex balance of tropical and spirit-forward flavors.
What does a Mai Tai taste like?
A Mai Tai tastes bright, rum-forward and complex, combining tart lime with orange citrus and the distinctive nutty sweetness of orgeat. The rum remains prominent, while the supporting ingredients create a balanced tropical profile rather than an excessively sweet fruit drink.
Tips for making a Mai Tai
Use freshly squeezed lime juice and measure the orgeat carefully, as too much sweetness can obscure the rum. Shake thoroughly with ice to chill and dilute the drink, then serve over fresh or crushed ice according to the recipe. A flavorful rum is important because the Mai Tai is intended to showcase the character of the spirit.
