The Mai Tai is a balanced tropical rum cocktail built on aged rum, curaçao, orgeat, grenadine, and fresh lime juice. Its complexity and silky mouthfeel come from the interplay of almond sweetness and citrus acidity.
Recipe Source
Visit Mr. Boston DrinksFrom Mr. Boston Drinks · by Old Mr. Boston De Luxe Official Bartender's Guide
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Shake well with cracked ice and strain into large Old Fashioned cocktail glass about 1/3 full with crushed ice.
Decorate with Maraschino cherry speared to wedge of preferably fresh pineapple.
For a hair raiser top with a dash of 151 proof rum and for a real Hawaiian effect float an orchid on each drink.
Serve with straws.
cocktail shaker · bar jigger · rocks glass or tiki mug
Orgeat is central to the Mai Tai's flavor profile, but you can substitute almond-flavored syrup or make a quick almond syrup from almond extract and simple syrup; the drink will taste different but still be drinkable.
Use a quality aged rum (dark or gold rum) rather than light rum; Old Mr. Boston Imported Rum is traditional, but aged Caribbean rums like Rhum Agricole also work well.
Use fresh-squeezed lime juice, not bottled; this adds tartness that cuts through the orgeat and grenadine, creating proper balance.
Shake vigorously with ice until cold and frothy; this chills the drink and integrates the orgeat and grenadine evenly.
Serve in a rocks glass or tiki mug over crushed or pebbled ice; the larger surface area keeps the drink colder longer.
