What other cocktails use aged or dark rum? Use aged rum in an El Presidente or Pineapple Rum Cocktail, and dark rum in Rum Punch, Dark and Stormy, or a Jungle Bird. Alex and I became fans of this drink after we tasted the classic version. The Mai Tai in its original form just makes sense. It’s tropical, boozy, and zingy: nothing like the adult fruit juice you might be expecting. (I ordered a Mai Tai at at a bar recently that tasted like a Hawaiian punch juice box.) After hundreds of cocktail recipes, we’re here to tell you—a properly made Mai Tai might change your mind about what this rum cocktail can be!
Aged rum: This type of rum is also referred to as golden rum, amber rum, or añejo rum (meaning “aged”). Aging gives it a complex flavor, more like a Cognac. It has undertones of vanilla, coconut, almond, citrus, or caramel. We like Brugal Añejo Rum, but there are many options. Orange liqueur: This balances the flavor of the rum and adds citrus notes. You can use either curaçao, Cointreau or Grand Marnier. Triple sec works in a pinch. Lime juice: Lime adds a zingy citrus acidity. Use only fresh lime juice, not a bottled substitute. Orgeat syrup: Orgeat is a sweet almond syrup, with flavor notes of orange flower water and rose. It’s what gives the Mai Tai its subtle nutty backbone, and it’s essential for the drink. It’s easy to find online: here’s the orgeat syrup we use. Simple syrup: A hint of syrup accentuates the flavor for a fruity, sweet tart Mai Tai; omitting it makes a more boozy, spirit-forward drink. I prefer adding the simple syrup so it’s more of a tropical drink, but Alex prefers the boozier version. Dark rum: Dark rum has a dark color and a rich flavor that’s smoky and sweet. Floating it on top of the drink adds complexity and a boozy intrigue.
Frequently asked questions
For the glass, we like using a low ball glass. Crushed ice is traditional with a Mai Tai, but you can use any type (including clear ice). We like to garnish with fresh mint and a cocktail cherry, but you can add extra garnishes like pineapple wedges or lime wheels.
“I thought your recipe was excellent. The flavors are amazing and I felt like I was back on Maui enjoying happy hour. I will definitely make this again.” -Rosemary “Wow, wow, wow! You guys hit this one on the head. Absolutely fantastic recipe. The moment I tasted this, the memories of when I first had this came back to me.” -Justin
4.5 from 25 reviews *To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons. **A hint of simple syrup accentuates the flavor for a fruity, sweet tart Mai Tai. Omit it for a more boozy, spirit-forward Mai Tai.
