Mai Tai
The Mai Tai cocktail is one of the most popular cocktails of all. There are many recipe variations of the cocktail. We would like to present the original recipe from 1944. The rather strong alcoholic cocktail is still considered one of the tastiest drinks of all and you should definitely try it according to the original recipe.
Mai Tai Cocktail Recipe
- Juice of one lime
- 1.5 cl Curacao Orange
- 0.75 cl sugar syrup
- 0.75 cl almond syrup
- 3 cl golden rum from Jamaica
- 3 cl dark rum from Martinique
Step by Step Guide
- Pour the lime juice into a tumbler filled with ice.
- Shake all ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker.
- Strain into the tumbler, strain and serve.
To prepare the cocktail, you should first quarter the lime and squeeze the juice over crushed ice in a tumbler. Then add the other ingredients (Curacao Orange, golden rum, rock candy syrup, orgeat and dark rum) to a cocktail shaker and shake well for about 20 seconds. Strain this mix into the tumbler. Now fill the glass with crushed ice. Before serving, garnish the drink with a slice of lime and a sprig of mint.
Bar Accessories:
- Tumbler
- Cocktail shaker
- Ice cube
The special taste
60 Reviews
The Mai Tai is said to have an “unearthly” good taste. The interplay of syrups and rums is considered one of the best ever. The alcoholic and the sweet taste are clearly in the foreground in this drink, but they are also harmoniously coordinated. Slightly fruity notes only further support this flavour profile. Try the original cocktail recipe and see for yourself.
There are numerous recipes of the Mai Tai cocktail with countless ingredients, garnishes and flavours. If you enter a new cocktail bar and cannot judge the quality of the cocktails, you should order a Mai Tai. It is very difficult to ensure that the flavours harmonise perfectly with each other. Therefore, you can assume that a bar that can mix the Mai Tai well can also mix other drinks well.
Mai Tai Tips
Fresh organic limes
When preparing cocktails, be sure to use fresh, untreated citrus fruits. These usually taste much more aromatic and natural. This way, the taste is not unnecessarily negatively influenced.
Use only one rum
We once tried out how the rum cocktail tastes prepared with only one rum. The result was surprising. Even with only one rum, the drink is not a pleasure. However, not quite as many flavours can be tasted as when you use two rums. So: If you only have one rum at home and want to prepare the Mai Tai, you can do that. However, we prefer to recommend making it with two different rums.
Not only always a hit in summer
The cocktail is usually known as a classic summer drink. However, it can also be served very well in winter. The taste is special and reminiscent of warm summer days. Therefore, you can also refresh yourself in the cold season with a rather summery cocktail.
History
Victor Bergeron, alias Trader Vic, is considered the inventor of the Mai Tai cocktail. Allegedly, he served this drink to two friends from Thailand. After one of these guests had drunk the drink, he called out “Mai Tai Roa Ae”. Loosely translated, this means something like “Not of this world – The best”. It was not until 1972 that the recipe was revealed in Bergeron’s cocktail book. There are many other stories and tales about who is said to have prepared this legendary drink for the first time, but the version by Viktor Bergeron seems the most plausible to us. The cocktail is one of the most famous drinks in the punch cocktail genre. It is said to be the first drink a woman ordered when she was released from prison, because it was the only thing she missed in prison.
What does Mai Tai mean?
Mai Tai comes from Thai and means something like “tastes good”. Thai guests said this after drinking the drink for the first time. The name of the now very well-known cocktail was born.
The most famous Tiki Cocktail
Tiki cocktails consist of at least one spirit and several non-alcoholic, sweet ingredients. Some drinks are made with more than 10 ingredients. The Mai Tai and Zombie cocktail have two and three rums respectively as base spirits and shimmer in bright and eye-catching colours. In the mythology of the Maori of New Zealand, the word “Tiki” means something like “the first man”, but can also be seen as a kind of god. Thus, Tiki drinks like the Mai Tai with two rums as the base spirit are also considered like the “gods of cocktails” in a way.
According to stories, the first Tiki Bar in Los Angeles opened in 1934. It wanted to remedy the bad image of spirits shortly after Prohibition. It was also able to lure people with very reasonable prices. After Prohibition, gin and whisky were sometimes immeasurably expensive, so people resorted to cheaper rum. Rum also conveyed the tropical image of the Caribbean islands. This triggered longings in people. For this reason, these drinks became increasingly popular. To this day, probably the best Tiki cocktails in the world can still be found in the Caribbean, Hawaii and Bora Bora.
More Drink Recipes
More Drink Recipes
Mai Tai - FAQ
What does the Mai Tai cocktail taste like?
The Mai Tai becomes really delicious through the interplay of the different rums. It tastes aromatic, but also strongly alcoholic. This cocktail is not for those who are looking for a gentle cocktail pleasure. For these connoisseurs, we recommend a daiquiri.
How do you prepare a Mai Tai?
First, pour the lime juice into a tumbler filled with ice cubes. Shake the remaining ingredients well in a cocktail shaker and strain this mixture into the tumbler. Then strain and serve.
What makes the Mai Tai so special?
There are many stories and legends surrounding the Mai Tai cocktail. Many recipes are claimed to be the original recipe. Many connoisseurs love this drink. For this reason, a veil of uncertainty always hovers over the drink, which makes it so special.
What is a Mai Tai?
The Mai Tai is one of the most famous rum cocktails of all. It has a fruity, alcoholic flavour profile and is great to enjoy in bars or at home.
Who invented the Mai Tai?
Victor “Trader Vic” Bergeron is considered the inventor of the Mai Tai cocktail. In 1944, this well-known bartender is said to have served the drink for the first time. After one of his Thai guests has drunk the drink, he has an exclamation “Mai Tai Roa Ae”. Loosely translated, this means something like “Not of this world – The best”. Thus the name for the drink was born.