Old Fashioned Cocktails- Mai Tai:
When was the Mai Tai Invented?
The Mai Tai cocktail was invented in 1944 by Victor J. Bergeron, a restaurant owner and bartender from Oakland, California. Bergeron, who was known as “Trader Vic,” created the cocktail for some friends who were visiting him from Tahiti.
The original recipe called for a blend of aged Jamaican rum, lime juice, orange curaçao, orgeat syrup, and rock candy syrup, and was garnished with a sprig of fresh mint and a lime wheel. The cocktail became an instant hit and quickly gained popularity throughout the United States and around the world. Today, It is considered a classic Tiki cocktail and is enjoyed by people of all ages.
What You Need:
- dark rum
- silver rum
- red grenadine syrup
- disaronno originale
- lemon juice
- pineapple juice
- orange juice
- ice cubes
How to Make a Mai Tai?
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add 1 oz dark rum to the shaker using a jigger.
- Add 1 oz silver rum to the shaker using a jigger.
- Add 1 teaspoon of red grenadine syrup to the shaker.
- Add ½ oz lemon juice to the shaker.
- Add ¼ oz disaronno originale to the shaker.
- Add 1 oz pineapple juice to the shaker.
- Add 1 oz orange juiceto the shaker.
- Shake the ingredients vigorously for about 10-15 seconds, or until the mixture is well chilled and combined.
- Fill a rocks glass with ice.
- Strain the cocktail over the ice in the rocks glass.
- Garnish with a mint sprig and a lime wheel.
Tip For Making It:
- Use high-quality ingredients: The Mai Tai is a complex cocktail that relies on the quality of its ingredients. Use a high-quality aged rum and fresh lime juice for the best flavor. You can also experiment with different brands of orange curaçao and orgeat syrup to find the perfect combination of flavors.
- Shake the cocktail vigorously: It should be shaken vigorously to ensure that all of the ingredients are well combined and the cocktail is well chilled. Shake the cocktail for at least 10-15 seconds to achieve the perfect balance of flavors.
- Use crushed ice: The Mai Tai is traditionally served over crushed ice, which helps to dilute the cocktail slightly and keeps it cool. You can use a Lewis bag or a food processor to crush ice at home, or use store-bought ice that has been crushed.
- Garnish with fresh mint and lime: The mint and lime garnish add a bright, refreshing note to the cocktail and complement the tropical flavors of the Mai Tai. Be sure to smack the mint sprig between your palms before adding it to the cocktail to release its aroma.
Frequently asked questions:
What type of rum should I use in this cocktail?
Use a high-quality aged rum with a smooth and complex flavor profile for the best results. The aged rum should have a rich, full-bodied flavor that complements the other ingredients in the cocktail. You can experiment with different types of aged rum to find your perfect combination.
Can I adjust the sweetness of it?
Yes, you can adjust the sweetness of the Mai Tai by changing the proportions of the simple syrup and orgeat syrup. If you prefer a sweeter cocktail, add more simple syrup. If you prefer a more nutty flavor, add more orgeat syrup. Be sure to adjust the proportions carefully to avoid overpowering the other ingredients.
What is the proper way to garnish this cocktail?
The traditional garnish for a Mai Tai is a sprig of fresh mint and a lime wheel. The mint and lime add a refreshing note to the cocktail and complement the tropical flavors of the Mai Tai. Smack the mint sprig between your palms before adding it to the cocktail to release its aroma. You can also add a colorful paper umbrella or other tropical decoration to the glass for a fun and festive touch.
Can I use a different type of citrus juice in it?
The Mai Tai traditionally uses fresh lime juice, but you can experiment with different types of citrus juice to create a slightly different flavor profile. Grapefruit juice or orange juice can be used as a substitute for the lime juice, or you can use a combination of citrus juices to create a unique flavor.
What type of glass should I use for this recipe?
It is traditionally served in a rocks glass or a tiki mug that is filled with crushed ice. The crushed ice helps to dilute the cocktail and keeps it cool.
Mai Tai
"MaiTai" meaning best in Tahitian, is a tropical cocktail designed by Victor, the owner of the Oakland restaurant. It is a tropical cocktail that has been widely acclaimed around the world, and its sparkling garnish and the cocktail's special shade led to its use as a prop in Elvis Presley's Blue Hawaii movie, which has since spread to the world.
The mixture of orange juice, pineapple juice, lemon juice and red pomegranate syrup not only brings sweet and sour taste, but also makes this cocktail strong and fruity. And the addition of white and dark rums brings a different flavor and a very refreshing taste.
Ingredients
- 1 oz dark rum
- 1 oz silver rum
- 1 teaspoon of red grenadine syrup
- ¼ oz disaronno originale
- ½ oz lemon juice
- 1 oz pineapple juice
- 1 oz orange juice
- 1 cup ice cubes
Instructions
On the hurricane cup, brush syrup and stick petals for decoration. In a cocktail mixer full of ice, combine the dark rum, white rum, grenadine, disaronno originale, lemon juice, pineapple juice and orange juice. Shake vigorously and strain into glass full of ice.
Notes
The Mai Tai is a complex cocktail that can be adjusted to suit your taste. You can experiment with different types of rum, or adjust the proportions of the other ingredients to create a sweeter or more tart cocktail. Enjoy and have fun experimenting!
