Mai Tai Cocktail

5 minutes

The BEST Mai Tai Cocktail… made with just 6 simple ingredients! This drink is deliciously complex and sure to have you feeling like you’re relaxing on a tropical island!

There’s something about a Mai Tai that instantly makes you feel like you’re relaxing on a tropical island… and I’m HERE FOR IT. A deliciously sweet, complex blend of rum, pineapple juice, lime juice, orange liqueur, and almond flavored syrup, it’s one of the most popular tiki drinks of all time… and one of my all time favorites!

As with any cocktail, there have been hundreds of Mai Tai variations over the years. I tested the original recipe and multiple versions with different types of rum and juice. In the end, I landed on the PERFECT Mai Tai recipe… tested and perfected by yours truly. Enjoy!

history of the mai tai

The mai tai is a delicious rum-based cocktail that has come to be synonymous with tiki culture. Contrary to popular belief, the Mai Tai was not created in Hawaii, but was invented in 1944 at Trader Vic’s restaurant in Oakland, California. The story goes that one evening the owner of the restaurant, Victor J. Bergeron, tested a new drink on two friends from Tahiti. After the first sip, one of the friends exclaimed, “mai tai-roa aé”, which in Tahitian means ‘out of this world – the best!’. And so the drink was named the Mai Tai.

Although the original Mai Tai cocktail was made with only dark rum and no juice, Vic eventually introduced it to the Hawaiian Islands, where he added tourist-friendly juices that would appeal to the island audience. Eventually the new version became more popular than the original recipe, and most restaurants today serve a recipe that includes pineapple juice and both light and dark rum.

what you’ll need for this recipe

White rum – White rum is the primary alcohol in a mai tai. I used Bacardi Rum, but you can feel free to substitute any brand you have on hand.

Dark rum – Dark rum is also used in this recipe as a “float” on top of the finished drink. Be sure to select dark, not gold rum. I used Myers’s which is a dark Jamaican rum.

Pineapple juice – Pineapple juice gives this drink its distinct tropical flavor. I used 100% pineapple juice from a can, but fresh or bottled juice are also good options. You could also consider a pineapple juice blend such as pineapple orange, pineapple orange banana, or even pineapple coconut.

Orange liqueur – Orange liqueur adds a delicious orange flavor to this cocktail. I used Grand Marnier, but the original recipe calls for Orange Curacao. You can also use Cointreau, Triple Sec, or any orange liqueur.

Orgeat syrup – Orgeat is an almond flavored syrup available at your local liquor store. If you’re unable to find it, you can substitute an almond syrup such as Monin or Torani.

Lime juice – Lime juice adds a fresh citrus twist to this recipe. I always use fresh citrus juice when possible, but you can substitute bottled lime juice in a pinch.

Garnishes – Last but not least, the garnishes! I chose a simple garnish of pineapple leaves, an orange slice, and a maraschino cherry. You could also use fresh pineapple and/or a fresh lime wedge!

how to make the perfect mai tai

Combine the main ingredients. Combine the pineapple juice, light rum, orange liqueur, orgeat, and lime juice in a cocktail shaker with ice.

Shake and strain. Shake until cold, then strain into a 12 ounce glass filled with ice.

Top with dark rum. Top with dark rum. For a layered effect, pour carefully along the edge of the glass to avoid mixing. (You may want to mix before drinking.)

Garnish. Garnish with pineapple leaves, orange slices, maraschino cherries, or as desired.

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