Trader Vic's Mai Tai
- Glass
- Rocks
- Difficulty
- Medium
- ABV
- ~20%
Ingredients
- 2 ozaged rum60 ml
- ½ ozorange curaçao15 ml
- ½ ozorgeat15 ml
- ¾ ozfresh lime juice22 ml
- ¼ ozsimple syrup7 ml
Instructions
Combine aged rum, orange curaçao, orgeat, lime juice, and simple syrup in a shaker with crushed ice. Shake briefly and pour everything (ice included) into a rocks glass. Garnish with a spent lime shell and a sprig of fresh mint.
Sips & Tips
Technique
Use a rich, aged Jamaican rum (Appleton 12 or Denizen Merchant's Reserve). The orgeat and curaçao should complement, not overwhelm. Crushed ice is traditional.
Balance
The original Trader Vic's recipe is simpler than most modern tiki versions. Let the rum be the star — the modifiers should support, not dominate.
History
Variations
Split-Base Mai Tai
Use 1 oz aged Jamaican rum and 1 oz rhum agricole for more complexity.
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Trader Vic's Mai Tai
Glass: Rocks | Difficulty: Medium | ABV: ~20%
Ingredients
- 2 oz aged rum
- ½ oz orange curaçao
- ½ oz orgeat
- ¾ oz fresh lime juice
- ¼ oz simple syrup
Instructions
Combine aged rum, orange curaçao, orgeat, lime juice, and simple syrup in a shaker with crushed ice. Shake briefly and pour everything (ice included) into a rocks glass. Garnish with a spent lime shell and a sprig of fresh mint.