Classic Mai Tai Recipe

Want something bright, colorful, and perfect for the weekend? Try this insanely delicious Mai Tai recipe!

Mai Tai cocktails are citrusy and sweet with just the right amount of tart. They contain white and dark rum, Amaretto, lime juice, and orange juice.

Some recipes call for Orange curaçao and Orgeat syrup, but it will taste just as good with Amaretto and orange juice - which are both easier to find.

Mai Tai Cocktail

Mai Tai’s are quite strong, as they use both white and dark rum. Rum is definitely the most forward flavor, and it’s defined by the dark rum float on top.

That means every sip you take will start with the dark rum, so if that’s not your thing, this might not be the drink for you.

Of course, you can always stir it in so it’s a little more tame.

Ingredients 

Here’s what you’ll need to make a classic Mai Tai cocktail:

• White Rum - white rum makes this bright, light, and slightly sweet.
• Dark Rum - this will add a silky mouthfeel and rich finish.
• Amaretto - as mentioned, most Mai Thai recipes call for Orgeat syrup, which can be hard to find. Amaretto will provide the same almond taste.
• Lime Juice - the fresher, the better!
• Orange Juice - this will round everything off perfectly.

How To Make a Mai Tai

This recipe is enough for two drinks.

1. Add the white rum, Amaretto, lime juice, and orange juice to a cocktail shaker. 
2. Fill the shaker with ice and seal it shut.
3. Shake for 20-30 seconds. 
4. Fill the glasses with ice.
5. Strain the mix into the glasses.
6. Float the dark rum on top and add a slice of orange or pineapple to the rim.
7. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe Variations

The classic Mai Tai is pretty much a fancy type of rum punch. It’s one of those tiki drinks we all know and love, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a bunch of fun ways to jazz it up.

Here are a few ideas:

1. Tropical Rum Punch - Add 1 ounce of coconut cream and 1 ounce of pineapple juice to the mix. And for even more coconut flavor, swap the white rum for Malibu.

2. Spiced Rum Punch - Need something for the holidays? Swap the white rum with spiced rum, like Captain Morgan’s, for a deeper, more complex flavor.

3. Passionfruit Mai Tai - Add 1 ounce of passionfruit juice or puree, or Passoa if you like it strong. It’ll add plenty of sweet fruitness and a wonderful tangy finish.

4. Cherry Rum Punch - Add 1 ounce of cherry juice and swap the Amaretto for cherry liqueur. Then, garnish with cherries.

5. Raspberry Mai Tai - Add 1 ounce of raspberry puree and swap the Amaretto with raspberry liqueur, like Chambord.

6. Citrus Rum Punch - Add 1/2 ounce each of grapefruit juice and lemon juice for a tangy, citrus-forward cocktail.

7. Pomegranate Rum Punch - Swap the orange juice with pomegranate juice for a sweet-tart twist. Then, add a few pomegranate arils for serving.

8. Hibiscus Rum Punch - Brew a strong hibiscus tea, cool it, and replace the orange juice with it. This will give the drink a vibrant color and a floral, cranberry-like flavor.