The Original Mai Tai

Name: The Original Mai Tai
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1 drink
Ingredients: 2 ounces aged rum; 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice, juiced lime half reserved; 1/2 ounce orange curaçao; 1/4 ounce Rich Simple Syrup (see Game Plan note), also known as rock candy syrup; 1/4 ounce orgeat; 1 cup crushed ice; 1 mint sprig, for garnish

San Francisco Bay Area Tiki Orgeat Cocktails Drink Summer Cocktail Party Easy

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1 drink Easy

(6) Total: Under 5 mins Active: Under 5 mins

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Ingredients (7)

2 ounces aged rum
3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice, juiced lime half reserved
1/2 ounce orange curaçao
1/4 ounce Rich Simple Syrup (see Game Plan note), also known as rock candy syrup
1/4 ounce orgeat
1 cup crushed ice
1 mint sprig, for garnish

Nutritional Information

Calories204
Fat0.1g
Saturated fat0.02g
Trans fat
Carbs13.35g
Fiber0.68g
Sugar9.57g
Protein0.26g
Cholesterol
Sodium12.88mg
Nutritional Analysis per serving (1 servings) Powered by

This recipe is the real deal, tracing back to Victor “Trader Vic” Bergeron Jr. in the 1930s. It comes to us via Martin Cate, owner of Smuggler’s Cove in San Francisco. (Who based it on the recipe found in Jeff Berry’s book Beachbum Berry’s Sippin’ Safari.) See Cate demonstrate how to make it in our You’re Doing It All Wrong video. And read more about the history of the drink here.

What to buy: Orgeat is an almond-sugar syrup traditionally made from whole blanched almonds. The nut oil gives the syrup (and cocktails made with it) a richness that can’t be duplicated with a cheap syrup made with almond flavoring and sugar. Try to find a high-quality brand, like the one from Small Hand Foods.

Game plan: You’ll need to make our Rich Simple Syrup before you begin.

Adapted from Martin Cate via Jeff Berry

Instructions

1Combine all ingredients except the mint sprig in a cocktail shaker, shake vigorously, and pour the entire contents into a double Old Fashioned glass.
2Garnish with the juiced lime half and a mint sprig.

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There is a time and place for tiki drinks, and that is always and wherever. I say this because when made with fresh ingredients and with good spirits, they are really like a party on your palate. Check out more boozy pancakes here, and for something more to chew on, read up on the history of the mai tai here.