Mai Tai Recipe

Two mai tais on a marble countertop with a table linen on the side, as well as a small dish of cherries. Wooden board with lime wheels and wedges in the background.

This is the best Mai Tai recipe! Shake up 5 simple ingredients in a cocktail shaker and serve over ice. Balanced, boozy, and smooth.

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings serving

Calories 246kcal

Author John Kanell

Equipment

cocktail shaker
Cocktail spoon
Strainer

Ingredients

1½ ounces white rum
¾ ounce orange curaçao or Grand Marnier
¾ ounce lime juice freshly squeezed
½ ounce orgeat
½ ounce dark rum
Garnish: lime wheel, cherry, mint sprig

Instructions

In a cocktail shaker half full of ice, combine the white rum, orange curaçao, lime juice and orgeat. Cover and shake vigorously for 10 to 20 seconds.
Strain the cocktail into a rocks glass three-quarters full of ice. Float the dark rum over top (see notes).
Garnish with a lime wheel, cherry and mint sprig, if desired.

Notes

To properly “float” the dark rum on top of the cocktail, hold the rounded side of a cocktail spoon facing up over the top of the cocktail. Slowly pour the dark rum over the rounded spoon. It should slowly pour over all sides of the spoon and stay on top of the cocktail.

Nutrition

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