The Mai Tai is a classic cocktail that brings the tropical flavors of the Caribbean right to your glass. With its perfect balance of rum, citrus, and sweet almond syrup, this drink is a refreshing escape to paradise. Ideal for summer gatherings or a relaxing evening, the Mai Tai is sure to impress.
When preparing a Mai Tai, you might need to pick up a few special ingredients. Orgeat syrup is a sweet almond syrup that may not be in your pantry but can be found in the cocktail section of most supermarkets. Orange curaçao is a type of liqueur that adds a citrusy note and can usually be found near other cocktail mixers.

Ingredients For Mai Tai Recipe
White rum: A light and crisp rum that forms the base of the cocktail.
Dark rum: Adds depth and a rich, molasses-like flavor.
Orange curaçao: A citrus liqueur that brings a bright, orange flavor.
Orgeat syrup: A sweet almond syrup that adds a unique, nutty sweetness.
Lime juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice adds a tart and refreshing element.
Lime wheel: Used as a garnish to enhance the visual appeal.
Mint sprig: A fragrant garnish that adds a fresh aroma.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When preparing a Mai Tai, it's essential to use freshly squeezed lime juice for the best flavor. To achieve a perfect float for the dark rum, gently pour it over the back of a spoon held just above the surface of the drink. This technique ensures the rum stays on top, creating a visually appealing layered effect.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
white rum - Substitute with coconut water: Coconut water provides a light, refreshing base that mimics the tropical essence of rum without the alcohol.
dark rum - Substitute with blackstrap molasses: Blackstrap molasses offers a rich, deep flavor similar to dark rum, adding complexity to the drink.
orange curaçao - Substitute with orange juice with a splash of almond extract: Orange juice provides the citrus flavor, while almond extract adds a hint of nuttiness, mimicking the taste of orange curaçao.
orgeat syrup - Substitute with almond milk with a touch of sugar: Almond milk provides the nutty flavor, and adding a bit of sugar helps to replicate the sweetness of orgeat syrup.
freshly squeezed lime juice - Substitute with freshly squeezed lemon juice: Lemon juice offers a similar tartness and acidity, making it a suitable replacement for lime juice.
lime wheel - Substitute with lemon wheel: A lemon wheel provides a similar visual appeal and citrus aroma as a lime wheel.
mint sprig - Substitute with basil sprig: Basil offers a fresh, aromatic quality that complements the drink similarly to mint.
Other Alternative Recipes to Try
How to Store or Freeze This Recipe
- To preserve the vibrant flavors of your Mai Tai, store any leftover mixture in an airtight container. Glass containers are preferable as they do not retain odors or flavors.
- Keep the container in the refrigerator. The lime juice and orgeat syrup will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
- If you wish to prepare the Mai Tai in advance, mix all the ingredients except the dark rum and garnishes. Store this mixture in the fridge.
- When ready to serve, shake the pre-mixed Mai Tai with ice, strain into a glass, and then float the dark rum on top.
- For freezing, pour the Mai Tai mixture (excluding the dark rum) into a freezer-safe container, leaving some space at the top for expansion. Seal tightly.
- Freeze the mixture for up to 1 month. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
- Once thawed, shake the mixture with ice, strain into a glass, and float the dark rum on top.
- Garnish with a fresh lime wheel and mint sprig just before serving to maintain their crispness and aroma.
How to Reheat Leftovers
- Pour the Mai Tai into a heat-resistant glass or mug.
- Place the glass in a microwave and heat on medium power for 20-30 seconds. Be cautious not to overheat, as this can alter the flavors.
- Alternatively, pour the Mai Tai into a small saucepan and gently warm over low heat on the stove. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating.
- If you prefer a cold Mai Tai, simply add fresh crushed ice and give it a quick stir to refresh the drink.
- Garnish with a fresh lime wheel and mint sprig to enhance the presentation and aroma.
Essential Tools for This Recipe
Shaker: Used to mix the ingredients thoroughly with ice, ensuring a well-blended cocktail.
Strainer: Helps to separate the liquid from the ice when pouring the mixed drink into the glass.
Glass: The vessel in which the Mai Tai will be served, typically a rocks glass or a tiki mug.
Spoon: Used to float the dark rum on top of the drink by pouring it over the back of the spoon.
Jigger: A measuring tool to ensure precise amounts of each ingredient are used.
Citrus juicer: Extracts fresh lime juice efficiently.
Ice crusher: Crushes ice to the desired consistency for the drink.
Knife: Used to cut the lime wheel for garnish.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface to cut the lime wheel.
Mint sprig: Used as a garnish to add a fresh aroma and visual appeal to the drink.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Pre-measure ingredients: Measure and prepare all ingredients ahead of time to streamline the mixing process.
Use bottled lime juice: Opt for high-quality bottled lime juice to save time on squeezing fresh limes.
Batch prep garnishes: Prepare multiple lime wheels and mint sprigs in advance to quickly garnish each Mai Tai.
Use a jigger: A jigger ensures precise measurements, speeding up the mixing process.
Crushed ice in bulk: Crush a large batch of ice and store it in the freezer for quick access.

Mai Tai Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 oz White Rum
- 1 oz Dark Rum
- 0.5 oz Orange Curaçao
- 0.5 oz Orgeat Syrup
- 1 oz Lime Juice freshly squeezed
Garnish
- 1 Lime Wheel
- 1 Mint Sprig
Instructions
- 1. Add all ingredients except the dark rum into a shaker with ice.
- 2. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with crushed ice.
- 3. Float the dark rum on top by pouring it over the back of a spoon.
- 4. Garnish with a lime wheel and mint sprig.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
More Amazing Recipes to Try 🙂
- Fruit Punch Recipe10 Minutes
- Yeast Rolls Recipe40 Minutes
- Parmesan Garlic Orzo Recipe30 Minutes
- Puff Pastry Recipe50 Minutes
- Rhubarb Cake Recipe1 Hours
- Grilled Cheese de Mayo Recipe15 Minutes
- Basic Corn Muffins Recipe30 Minutes
- Air Fryer Burgers Recipe25 Minutes
Leave a Reply