Mai Tai – Bar Mix Version: Simple, Citrusy, and Refreshing
Few drinks deliver easy tropical flair like this bar-mix Mai Tai. Made with light rum, triple sec, lemon juice, and simple syrup, it’s bright, balanced, and built for quick shaking at home or behind the bar.
The Modern Bar-Mix Take
This version of the Mai Tai trades the tiki-classic complexity for speed and simplicity. It’s a crisp, citrus-forward cocktail anyone can make without specialty syrups—perfect for casual service or backyard sipping.
What You’ll Need
Ingredients
- Light Rum – adds clean rum character.
- Triple Sec – provides orange sweetness and depth.
- Lemon Juice – fresh acidity to balance sweetness.
- Simple Syrup – rounds out the tartness.
- Cherry – bright garnish and sweet finish.
Equipment Cocktail shaker, jigger, strainer, and a Collins glass.
Why You’ll Like It
Quick build, bright citrus pop, and smooth rum flavor. It’s a “house-speed” Mai Tai that still feels tropical without orgeat or exotic blends.
Variations
Add a splash of orange juice for extra body, or top with soda for a lighter highball. Substitute lime juice if you prefer sharper acidity.
Tips
Use fresh-squeezed lemon juice; bottled mix dulls the drink. Chill your glass for a cleaner finish.
Mai Tai - Bar Mix Version Recipe
Type of Glass
Collins Glass
Ingredients
- 1 oz.
- 3/4 oz.
- 1/2 oz.
- 3/4 oz.
Directions
- Add light rum, triple sec, lemon juice, and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake well until chilled, about 10–12 seconds.
- Strain into a Collins glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish with a cherry and serve immediately.
The Bar-Mix Mai Tai keeps the island attitude but skips the complexity—proof that even fast cocktails can taste like a getaway.
