Mai Tai: The Ultimate Tiki Classic
An exotic and potent blend featuring aged rums, sweet almond notes, and a refreshing citrus finish.
5 min
Medium
Internacional / Tiki
1 servings
The story behind
The Mai Tai is arguably the most famous drink in Tiki culture. Created in the 1940s, its name stems from the Tahitian word 'Maita'i', meaning 'good' or 'excellent'. The beauty of this cocktail lies in its complexity: the robustness of the rum pairs perfectly with the floral sweetness of orgeat (almond syrup) and the tartness of fresh lime. It’s the quintessential vacation drink, designed to transport you to a tropical paradise. As seen in the presentation, garnishing with a pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry is essential to complete its timeless beachside aesthetic.
Instructions
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1In a cocktail shaker, combine the light rum, orange curaçao, lime juice, and orgeat syrup.
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2Add ice and shake vigorously for about 10 seconds.
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3Pour the entire contents (unstrained) into a double rocks or tiki glass filled with crushed ice.
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4Gently float the dark rum on top by pouring it slowly over the back of a spoon to create a layered effect.
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5Garnish with a pineapple wedge, a maraschino cherry, and optionally a sprig of fresh mint.
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