Mai Tai Cocktail Recipe
Taste
Tropical, Nutty & Refreshingly Citrusy
Skill Level
Medium
Prep Time
5 Minutes
Bold, bright and unmistakably tropical, the Mai Tai is one of the most iconic cocktails to emerge from Tiki culture. Blending smooth rum with the nutty sweetness of orgeat, vibrant lime juice and a splash of orange curaçao, the Mai Tai delivers a layered balance of fruit, citrus and warm almond notes. It’s a true holiday-in-a-glass moment - sunny, exotic and endlessly refreshing.
Originally crafted in 1944 by the legendary Trader Vic, the Mai Tai quickly became a symbol of escapism and cocktail craftsmanship. With its rich rum base and complex flavour profile, it remains one of the most celebrated tropical cocktails in the world. Whether you’re hosting a summer gathering or looking to recreate a slice of island life at home, the Mai Tai is always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
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50ml aged rum (or a blend of light and dark rum)
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25ml fresh lime juice
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20ml orange curaçao
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15ml orgeat syrup
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A dash of sugar syrup (optional, to taste)
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Crushed ice
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Garnish: fresh mint sprig and a lime wheel
Tools You’ll Need
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A cocktail shaker
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A bar spoon or stirrer
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A rocks or Tiki glass
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Ice scoop or tongs
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A small knife for garnish
How to Make the Perfect Mai Tai
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Add ingredients to your shaker – Pour the rum, lime juice, orange curaçao and orgeat syrup into a cocktail shaker. Add a dash of sugar syrup if you prefer a sweeter finish.
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Add ice and shake briskly – Fill the shaker with ice and shake for around 10–12 seconds until well chilled.
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Fill your glass – Add crushed ice to your chosen glass, a rocks glass or Tiki mug both work beautifully.
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Strain and pour – Strain the mixture over the crushed ice, letting it settle into a frosty mound.
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Garnish and serve – Top with a fresh mint sprig and a lime wheel for that classic tropical look. Serve immediately and enjoy the bright, refreshing harmony of citrus, rum and almond.
Our Tips for Making the Perfect Mai Tai at Home
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Use good rum. A Mai Tai relies on depth, aged rum or a blend of light and dark adds complexity.
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Fresh lime juice only. Bottled lime juice will flatten the flavour.
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Don’t skip the orgeat. The almond syrup gives the Mai Tai its signature flavour and silky mouthfeel.
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Crushed ice is essential. It chills quickly and gives the drink its iconic texture.
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Experiment with rum floats. A small drizzle of dark rum over the top adds richness and aroma.
Similar Drinks
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Piña Colada – A creamy, coconut-forward tropical classic with rum.
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Strawberry Daiquiri – A fruity, frozen rum cocktail with bright, summery flavours.
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Honey Bee – A zesty rum cooler with citrus and Sicilian lemonade.
From Tiki Legend to Global Icon
The Mai Tai holds a special place in cocktail history. Created in 1944 by Trader Vic at his bar in Oakland, California, the drink was designed to showcase the quality of aged rum rather than disguise it, an approach that set it apart from many overly sweet tropical cocktails of its era. The name “Mai Tai” comes from the Tahitian phrase “Maitaʻi roa!” meaning “out of this world!”, reportedly exclaimed by the guests who first tried it.
For nearly three decades, Trader Vic kept his exact recipe a closely guarded secret. This led bartenders across the world to create their own interpretations using pineapple juice, grenadine, amaretto, falernum and more, giving rise to the wide range of Mai Tai variations seen today. Despite these deviations, the heart of a true Mai Tai remains unchanged: rum, lime, orgeat and orange curaçao working in perfect harmony.
Today, the Mai Tai stands as one of the defining drinks of Tiki culture, a vibrant blend of craftsmanship, escapism and tropical flavour.
