Mai Tai (Trader Vic’s 1944 Original)
The original Mai Tai is the definitive Tiki classic — a balanced blend of aged Jamaican rum, rhum agricole, lime, orgeat, and orange curaçao. Created by Trader Vic in 1944, it set the standard for tropical cocktails and remains the benchmark for island flavor craftsmanship.
Origins of the Classic
Trader Vic Bergeron introduced the Mai Tai in Oakland, California in 1944. After tasting his creation, a Tahitian guest shouted “Maita’i roa ae!” — Tahitian for “out of this world.” That moment cemented the cocktail’s name and legacy.
This is the authentic spec that defined Tiki culture for decades — not the later versions with pineapple juice or grenadine. Every element serves a precise role in balance: rum depth, citrus acidity, nut sweetness, and citrus aroma.
What You’ll Need
Ingredients
- Jamaican Rum – 1 oz adds rich molasses and funk.
- Rhum Agricole – 1 oz for grassy brightness and structure.
- Orange Curaçao – ½ oz for aromatic orange notes.
- Rock Candy Syrup – ¼ oz rich simple syrup for sweetness and mouthfeel.
- Orgeat Almond Syrup – ¼ oz for delicate almond and floral depth.
- Lime Juice – 1 oz fresh for crisp acidity.
Equipment Shaker, jigger, strainer, and a double old-fashioned glass.
Why Rock Candy Syrup?
Trader Vic used a house made 2:1 sugar syrup called “rock candy syrup.” It adds a slightly thicker texture and rounds the lime without muting the rum. Rich simple syrup can be used for the same effect.
Flavor Profile
Dry yet lush. The Jamaican rum’s funk anchors the agricole’s brightness, the lime cuts through the sweetness, and the orgeat binds everything with a soft almond finish. The result is layered and clean — never sweet.
Serving Notes
Use crushed ice to keep the texture cold and diluted just enough. Garnish with the spent lime shell and mint sprig for aroma.
Mai Tai (Trader Vic's) Recipe
Type of Glass
Collins Glass
Ingredients
- 1 oz.
- 1 oz.
- 1/2 oz. Orange Curacao
- 1/4 oz. Rock Candy Syrup
- 1/4 oz. Orgeat Almond Syrup
- 1 oz.
Directions
- Add Jamaican rum, rhum agricole, orange curaçao, rock candy syrup, orgeat syrup, and lime juice into a shaker with ice.
- Shake well until chilled, about 10 seconds.
- Strain into a double old-fashioned glass filled with crushed or shaved ice.
- Garnish with the spent lime shell, a pineapple wedge or spear, and a fresh mint sprig.
The Trader Vic Mai Tai is not a fruit punch but a study in balance. Every sip reveals why this 1944 formula endures as the true standard of Tiki bartending.
