A classic (very strong!) 60s cocktail, the Mai Tai is a combination of Curaçao, three rums, and Orgeat. This is our favourite, adapted from Death & Co.
The Mai Tai is a classic 60s cocktail invented in California, and it was first made famous when it was featured in the Elvis Presley movie Blue Hawaii. Smooth rums, tart lime juice, homemade orgeat syrup, and Curaçao come together in a tropical, balanced, not-too-sweet drink.
Ingredients
- Lime juice
- Jamaican rum
- Demerara rum
- Overproof rum
- Curaçao
- Homemade orgeat syrup
- Angostura bitters
- Fresh mint leaves and lime slices for garnish
Method
Add the lime juice, three rums, Curaçao, orgeat syrup, and a dash of bitters to a shaker filled with ice. Shake everything together vigorously until well chilled, about 20 to 30 seconds. You’ll know it’s ready when the shaker is freezing cold to the touch and a bit frosty on the outside.
Fill a glass with crushed ice. Crushed ice isn’t required but it is more traditional in a Mai Tai. An easy way to crush ice is to place ice cubes in a large plastic zip top bag and gently smash the cubes inside the bag with a rolling pin.
Strain the Mai Tai into the glass. Top it with a dash more of bitters, a sprig of fresh mint, and a lime slice.
Notes & Tips
You can use any combination of rum you like however:
- Jamaican rum – We like Appleton Select.
- Demerara rum – El Dorado 15 year or Lemon Heart is our preference.
- Overproof Rum – Wray & Nephew is a good choice.
Substitutions
If you don’t have orange curaçao you can substitute Cointreau, or even Triple Sec in a pinch.
Don’t feel like making homemade orgeat syrup? Pre-made bottled orgeat can be found in most specialty, Mediterranean, and Mid-Eastern grocery stores.
Skip the angostura bitters garnish if you want and instead float ½-ounce of blackstrap rum on top!
More Tasty Cocktail Recipes
Hibiscus Sour
Pimm’s Lemon Crush
Blackberry Bourbon Smash
Strawberry Lemonade Sangria
Prosecco Margarita
Recipe
Mai Tai With Homemade Orgeat Syrup
Description
Equipment
- Shaker
- Digital kitchen scale
Ingredients
- 1 oz Lime Juice
- 1 oz Jamaican Rum
- 1 oz Demerara Rum
- ¼ oz Overproof Rum
- ¾ oz Orgeat
- ½ oz Curaçao
- Dash of Angostura bitters, plus more for garnish
- Fresh mint leaves
- Lime slice for garnish
Instructions
- Add lime juice, rums, orgeat, Curaçao, and a dash of bitters to a shaker along with ice. Shake until well chilled.
- Fill a glass with crushed ice. Strain the Mai Tai into the glass. Top with a dash more of bitters, mint leaves, and a lime slice.
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