Mai Tai
October 24th, 2007 | Published in liqueur, mixers, rum | 10 Comments
Invention is all well and good. Invention brought us the cotton gin, sliced bread, Velcro
Invention has done many things, and amongst the pioneering, invention-happy America of the mid-century, it gifted us with the faux Polynesian craze that resulted in the Suffering Bastard, Missionary’s Downfall, Navy Grog and, of course, the Mai Tai. It gifted us with these things that have stood the test of time and proven their greatness, so who am I to mess with it? It certainly isn’t broke, so I’m not going to fix it.
1 oz aged Jamaican rum
1 oz Martinique rum
½ oz curaçao
1½ oz lime juice
¼ oz orgeat syrup
¼ oz rock candy syrup (or simple syrup)Serve in a double old-fashioned glass filled with crushed ice and a spent lime shell.
Sometimes, you just want a Mai Tai. I know this is sort of akin to ordering vanilla ice cream, but I like vanilla. Besides, I jazzed it up with a neon red cherry! Points for presentation!
This recipe is the version found in both Trader Vic’s Bartenders Guide, Revised and Beachbum Berry’s Grog Log. Through the years since the Mai Tai appeared, it has become one of the poster children for tiki drinks and is, consequently, bastardized more often than not. I’ve had these with pineapple juice, grenadine, something like Hawaiian Punch mixed with turpentine—you name it, some bartender, somewhere, thinks it belongs in a Mai Tai.
The real joy of this drink is the way the flavors play off of each other. The almond of the orgeat and the smoky Martinique rum keep it from being the sugary, cruise ship luau-in-a-glass that it is often misunderstood to be. Rounded out by the tang of the lime and curaçao, this really is a honey of a drink when it’s made correctly. Whether you believe the Trader invented this gem or not, it’s a keeper. Like vanilla ice cream, and my Velcro® shoes.
October 25th, 2007at 8:08 am(#)
Mmm, Mai Tais. I’m sure the “Super” variation they sell at Ron of Japan is totally unlike this recipe, but you gotta love the sense of creative experimentation so many bartenders apply to such a boozer’s staple.
October 25th, 2007at 11:54 am(#)
Viva La Mai-Tai!
I think we need to do everything we can to ‘rescue’ this drink from Pineapple-Aloha Hell! No more hurricane glasses filled with ‘exotic juices,’ no more pink sugary blender monstrosities served from a slurpy machine!
This is a fabulous drink that showcases both the versatility and the absolute yumminess of various Rums. And, when made well with some fresh lime and quality rums, this drink can truly melt away the day or lead you softly into the night (or both).
Everyone! Go and make a ‘Good Mai-Tai’ right now. I’ll meet you out on the Lanai with mine.
October 25th, 2007at 11:55 am(#)
To the lanai!
October 26th, 2007at 9:21 am(#)
Embarrassed as I am to admit it, I’ve never had a Mai Tai! Don’t worry though, various rums are at the top of my shopping list and I intend to remedy the situation soon.
Love the cherry nestling in the squeezed lime by the way!
October 26th, 2007at 5:28 pm(#)
The Martinique rum is a must on this one when you do try it, Jay. I’ve had a lot of Mai Tais in my life, and this recipe tastes the best.
Thanks! I have to compete with your gorgeous twists somehow…
October 27th, 2007at 9:07 am(#)
I reckon the Mai Tai is as much of a classic as a Martini or Manhattan, but unfortunately many people who have a fit whenever someone utters the phrase “Vodka Martini” don’t seem to hold it in the same high regard.
Maybe it needs more hard-line defenders, but if you’re that kind of person, you’re probably not into Mai Tais… :)
October 30th, 2007at 10:11 am(#)
After being in Hawaii, I got in the habit of floating some dark rum in my mai tais. Everywhere from Don’s to the airport bars, everyone seemed to be floating the dark rum! Tasty and looks pretty…but I wonder how that tradition started?
October 30th, 2007at 10:28 am(#)
That sounds like a question for the Mikes. Time to visit the Ti!
November 20th, 2007at 5:27 pm(#)
[...] Mai Tai (8) [...]
January 15th, 2008at 12:55 am(#)
Wow! Mai Tai is the best drink in the all world and in the all time.
I prepared my Mai Tai with different rums, such trinidads rum Angostura or Demerara 12 y.o., and with different recipes and results was great! Some time I need Mai Tai very much and I need to experiment with it!
If you are in interest, please check:
http://www.scienceofdrink.com/top-drink-by-scomorokh/mai-tai/