Classic: Mai Tai

Name: Classic: Mai Tai
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1½ ounces white rum; 1 ounce dark rum; 1 ounce fresh lime juice; ¾ ounce orange curaçao or other orange liqueur; ¾ ounce orange curaçao or other orange liqueur; ¾ ounce almond liqueur, preferably L’Orgeat; ¾ ounce almond liqueur, preferably L’Orgeat; 1 lime wheel, for garnish; 1 maraschino cherry, for garnish; 1 mint sprig, for garnish

Preparation info

Makes
1
Drink

Difficulty
Easy

Appears in

Spirits of '76

By Kim Laidlaw

Published 2026

About

Created at Trader Vic’s in California, the mai tai is one of the state’s most iconic cocktails and a tiki staple, deeply linked to Hawaiian cocktail culture. With its vibrant blend of rum, citrus, and almond liqueur, this tropical classic showcases the bold, balanced flavors that define the genre.

Ingredients

1½ ounces white rum
1 ounce dark rum
1 ounce

Americas
United States
California
Drinks
Gluten-free
Vegan

Method

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add both rums, the lime juice, the orange curaçao, and the almond liqueur. Cover and shake vigorously until chilled. Fill a rocks glass with crushed ice. Strain into the glass. Garnish with the lime wheel, cherry, and mint.