The Mai Tai is one of the most famous tropical cocktail of all! Invented by Vic Bergeron of Trader Vic’s fame in 1944, the Mai Tai has been re-invented by some of the best bartenders in the world. The name Mai Tai come from “Maita’i roa ae” means “the best—out of this world” in Tahitian, and it is!! Here is the original, plus a few twists on the classic to make at home!
Original Mai Tai
Here’s the original directly straight from Trader Vic’s in London before it closed. That perfect blend of rum, lime juice, orgeat syrup, and orange curaçao, designed to highlight the rich flavors of rum still wows them after all these years!
Find the Original Mai Tai recipe.
Cointreau’s Mai Tai
Cointreau’s Mai Tai is a refined twist on the classic using Cointreau in place of traditional orange curaçao. which adds depth. This version combines dark rum, fresh lime juice, Cointreau, and orgeat syrup, offering a balanced, citrus-forward profile while maintaining the original’s tropical essence.
Find the Cointreau’s Mai Tai recipe.
Windjammer Landing’s Mai Tai
Windjammer Landing’s Mai Tai is a signature cocktail from the Windjammer Landing resort in St. Lucia. This tropical drink features a blend of local rums, fresh lime juice, Triple Sec, and pineapple juice, garnished with orange offering a refreshing and exotic twist on the classic Mai Tai.
Find the Windjammer Landing’s Mai Tai recipe.
Rumboat Retreat’s Mai Tai
Rumboat Retreat’s Mai Tai is a distinctive take on the classic cocktail, served at the Rumboat Retreat in Grenada. This version combines locally sourced Grenadian rum, and spicy sugar syrup, highlighting the rich, flavors of the island’s rum and offering a perfect island experience.
Find the Rumboat Retreat’s Mai Tai recipe!
Montanya Rum’s Mai Thai
Montanya Rum’s Mai Tai showcases the distillery’s Colorado-crafted rum. Their Mai Tai uses their Oro rums with house lemongrass syrup and their special ginger foam! Montanya’s high-altitude aging process lends special complexity to this classic cocktail.
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Sun Tavern’s Fu Manchu
Sun Tavern’s Fu Manchu is a signature cocktail from this East London bar. It’s the booziest of all of them with three kinds of rum and Nonino Amaro! Pistachio Syrup is used instead of orgeat. The drink’s name suggests an exotic and adventurous flavor profile, fitting Sun Tavern’s reputation for innovative mixology.
Find the Sun Tavern’s Fu Manchu recipe!
Mauresque Mai Tai
The Mauresque Mai Tai is a fusion combining elements of the classic Mai Tai with the flavors of a Mauresque, a French pastis-based drink. It features two kinds of rum and orange blossom, with the addition of anise flavors from pastis. This twist offers a Mediterranean-meets-Polynesian flavor profile.
Find the Mauresque Mai Tai recipe!
Mata Hari Mai Tai
Mata Hari, a great cocktail bar in Berlin, likely offers a unique take on the classic Mai Tai. The bar’s atmospheric, vintage-inspired setting would complement the tropical cocktail’s exotic nature. The Mata Hari Mai Tai features Havana Club rum, apricot brandy, lime juice, and orgeat syrup!
Find the Mata Hari Mai Tai recipe!
Antiguan Smile
The Antiguan Smile is THE cocktail inspired by the Caribbean island of Antigua. It features English Harbour rum, the homegrown Antiguan rum. Timmy Time’s delicious take on the Mai Tai will have you booking a flight right to Antigua! Discover how to make the Antiguan Smile the essence of Antigua’s tropical paradise in every sip.
Find the Antiguan Smile recipe!