Mai Tai Recipe
Nothing says summer fun like this Mai Tai Recipe – a fruity rum cocktail bursting with tropical citrus notes, perfect for backyard barbecues or relaxing by the pool.
Ingredients
- 2 oz light rum (e.g., Cruzan or Bacardi White)
- 1 oz dark aged rum (try Myers’s or Appleton Estate)
- 1 oz fresh lime juice (about 1–2 limes; no bottled juice)
- 1/2 oz orange curaçao (or triple sec if you must)
- 1/2 oz orgeat syrup (Almondica or homemade—see Notes)
- 1/4 oz simple syrup (1:1 sugar-to-water ratio)
- Crushed ice (or cubes, if that’s your thing)
- Mint sprig, lime wheel, and pineapple wedge for garnish
- 1/4 oz Optional float: dark rum on top for aroma
Instructions
- Fill a double old-fashioned glass with crushed ice to chill it—set it aside while you mix.
- Strain pulpy bits if you prefer a silky texture. Fresh citrus amps up that bright, zesty punch.
- In a cocktail shaker, add light rum, dark rum, lime juice, orange curaçao, orgeat, and simple syrup.
- Give it a 10-second whirl until the shaker frosts up—this chills and blends everything.
- Fill it halfway with fresh crushed ice, then strain the drink into it.
- Almost to the top. This keeps the layers separate and looks stunning.
- Slowly pour the extra dark rum over the back of a spoon so it floats on top—your nose will thank you.
- Thread a mint sprig through a lime wheel and wedge of pineapple. Insert a straw near the edge. Enjoy immediately!
Notes
I learned the hard way that bottled lime juice kills the bright flavor—fresh is non-negotiable. Also, orgeat quality varies wildly: homemade wins every time if you’ve got the patience. When I first tested this recipe, my ratios were too sweet, so I shaved off simple syrup until the tang danced on my tongue. Feel free to tweak sweetness to match your taste—just keep that 2:1 rum-to-juice balance. If you love mint juleps, you’ll appreciate the aroma lift from fresh mint here. One more note: using crushed ice keeps the drink colder and more stable than cubes.
Nutrition
Calories: 200kcal
Love this recipe?Follow us at @thenandnowspace for more