5.0 from 6 votes
Mai Tai
A Mai Tai is a popular tropical cocktail and a cornerstone of tiki culture. Made with rum, orgeat syrup, and lime, it's fruity and refreshing.
Prep Time
2 mins
Total Time
2 mins
Servings: 1 cocktail
Calories: 278 kcal
Course:
Drinks
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 2 ounces dark rum (1/4 cup)
- 1 ounce lime juice (2 tablespoons)
- 3/4 ounce orgeat syrup (1 1/2 tablespoons, see note 1)
- 1/2 ounce orange liquor (1 tablespoon, see note 2)
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup (1 tablespoon, see note 3) optional
- 1 prig fresh mint leaves for garnish
- 1 twist lime zest for garnish
- 1 wedge pineapple for garnish
- Maraschino cherries for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add rum, lime juice, orgeat syrup, simple syrup, and orange liquor. Fill shaker with ice, cover and shake until well chilled and combined, about 30-45 seconds.
- Fill a rocks glass or tiki cup halfway with crushed ice. Strain Mai Tai into glass. Top with additional ice. Garnish with mint leaves, lime zest, pineapple, and a maraschino cherry.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Orgeat syrup: An almond-flavored syrup.
- Orange liqueur: Dry Orange Curaçao is the traditional choice in a Mai Tai, but you can substitute triple sec, Cointreau, or Grand Marnier.
- Simple syrup: To make it yourself, combine 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved (do not boil). Remove from heat and cool before adding 1 tablespoon (or more to taste) to your cocktail shaker with the other ingredients. Store leftover simple syrup covered in the refrigerator for 3-4 weeks.
- Yield: This recipe makes one delicious, tropical cocktail.
- Glassware: If you drink a ton of Tiki-themed drinks, consider Tiki cocktail glasses that have mask faces on them. I love to use a simple hurricane glass so I can appreciate the Mai Tai for all its beauty.
- Big batch: To make a batch of 8 cocktails, combine 16 ounces (2 cups) dark rum, 8 ounces (1 cup) lime juice, 6 ounces (3/4 cup) orgeat syrup, 4 ounces (1/2 cup) orange liqueur, and 4 ounces (1/2 cup) simple syrup in a pitcher. Have ice, glassware, and garnishes on hand so guests can help themselves.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1cocktail
Calories
278kcal
(14%)
Carbohydrates
32g
(11%)
Protein
1g
(2%)
Fat
1g
(2%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Sodium
17mg
(1%)
Potassium
59mg
(2%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
25g
(50%)
Vitamin A
57IU
(1%)
Vitamin C
9mg
(10%)
Calcium
10mg
(1%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 1cocktail
Amount Per Serving
Calories 278
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1cocktail | |
| Calories | 278kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 32g | 11% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 1g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Sodium | 17mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 59mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 25g | 50% |
| Vitamin A | 57IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 9mg | 10% |
| Calcium | 10mg | 1% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.