Mai Tai

This week, we're featuring the legendary tiki classic, the Mai Tai. This quintessential tiki cocktail boasts a simple yet delectable list of ingredients, making it the perfect introduction to the world of tiki drinks. In 1944, Victor J. Bergeron, also known as Trader Vic, created the Mai Tai to showcase a 17-year-old Jamaican rum for his friends. Legend has it that the cocktail was so well-received that one friend reportedly exclaimed, "Maita'i roa a'e!", which translates to "Out of this world! The best!" Thus, Trader Vic named his creation "Mai Tai", signifying "the best."


(Originally published 4/21/23)

Author
The Elevated Craft Team
Category

Cocktails

Ingredients

  • 3 oz. Aged Rum 
  • ¾ oz. Dry Curacao Liqueur
  • 1 oz. Lime Juice
  • ½ oz. Orgeat Syrup
  • ⅓ oz. Rich Sugar Syrup (2 bar spoons)
  • Mint for garnish 

Directions

  1. Combine rum, dry curacao, lime juice, orgeat, and rich sugar syrup in your Elevated Craft Hybrid Cocktail Shaker.
  2. Add ice. Shake to chill and dilute.
  3. Strain into your Hybrid Cocktail Glass with crushed ice.
  4. Garnish with a mint bouquet.

This recipe is just the beginning.

Join the Elevated Craft Crew

Our free, private Facebook group for cocktail enthusiasts.

✓ 14,000+ active members worldwide
✓ Daily recipes, riffs, and variations
✓ Ask questions, share and learn

Hands holding dirty martini glass and the Stainless Steel Elevated Craft Diamond Edition Hybrid Cocktail Shaker

ELEVATED® BARWARE

Whether you’re crafting a cocktail or hosting friends, our barware is designed for precision and style. Take your cocktails to the next level.

SHOP BARWARE
Hand pouring beer from bottle into the Brushed Copper Elevated Craft Hybrid Pint Glass

HYBRID GLASSWARE

Every Bonnie needs a Clyde. Our Hybrid Pint Glass and Hybrid Cocktail Glasses are the perfect drinking partner for cocktails and beer.

SHOP GLASSWARE
Hand holding Stainless Steel Elevated Craft Hybrid Cocktail Glass with drink in it topped with mint and cherry on a Premium Cocktail Pick next to the Hybrid Cocktail Shaker

HOME BAR ESSENTIALS

The ultimate cocktail kit for the party hosts in your life. Stock the bar and save with discounts on shakers and glasses.

SHOP BUNDLES

Explore More Recipes

Aviation

Aviation

Few cocktails are as elegant as the Aviation. First created in the early 1900s by New York bartender Hugo Ensslin, this pre-Prohibition classic has captivated drinkers for more than a century with its delicate floral...
Penumbra

Penumbra

Yesterday I had the pleasure of getting my mixology game on with a Penumbra, one of my new go-to cocktails. I’m obsessed with how effortlessly fancy it looks thanks to my trusty Elevated Craft shaker....
Aviation

Aviation

Few cocktails are as elegant as the Aviation. First created in the early 1900s by New York bartender Hugo Ensslin, this pre-Prohibition classic has captivated drinkers for more than a century with its delicate floral...
Penumbra

Penumbra

Yesterday I had the pleasure of getting my mixology game on with a Penumbra, one of my new go-to cocktails. I’m obsessed with how effortlessly fancy it looks thanks to my trusty Elevated Craft shaker....
Grapefruit Reviver

Grapefruit Reviver

Bittersweet in the best way.The Grapefruit Reviver is proof that a little bitterness can go a long way. Inspired by the classic Brown Derby, this bourbon cocktail layers bright grapefruit juice with the unmistakably bold...
Hand reaches for a creamy drink featuring strawberries and coconut with garnishes of each

Strawberry Coconut Cream Margarita

A margarita made to share.Mother’s Day weekend calls for something a little special, preferably shaken, served cold, and enjoyed outside. Enter the Strawberry Coconut Cream Margarita, a rich, refreshing twist on a classic that feels...
Vice Vice Baby Cocktail

Vice Vice Baby

Meet Vice Vice Baby—a cocktail that leans all the way into indulgence without losing its edge. It’s where late-night espresso meets dessert decadence, wrapped in a silky, aromatic finish.Built on the smooth vanilla backbone of...
Peach Julep

Peach Julep

Tradition, with a twist.With the Kentucky Derby just around the corner, there’s no better time to revisit a Southern classic. The Mint Julep has long been the drink of Derby Day, but this year we’re...
Jungle Bird

Jungle Bird

Bright, bitter and beautifully balanced.At first glance, the Jungle Bird looks like your typical tiki drink with rum, pineapple, and citrus. But one sip and you’ll realize this one plays by its own rules. Created...
Sloe Gin Fizz

Sloe Gin Fizz

A fizz worth slowing down for. Light, bright, and just a little unexpected, the Sloe Gin Fizz is the kind of cocktail that feels tailor-made for warm days and easy evenings. This version takes inspiration...
Hoodwinked

Hoodwinked

A tropical twist with a smoky edge.If you’re a fan of the Jungle Bird, this one’s about to earn a spot in your regular rotation. Hoodwinked is a mezcal-based riff that swaps rum for smoke...
Blood Orange Bourbon Smash

Blood Orange Bourbon Smash

Bright citrus meets bourbon.Few cocktails are as easygoing and refreshing as a good smash. Traditionally part of the julep family, the Whiskey Smash dates back to the 19th century and is known for its simple...
Harry's Bellini

Harry's Bellini

Brunch energy, elevated.Harry’s Bellini takes the sunny, peach-forward spirit of the classic and gives it a playful twist with rye whiskey. The result is brighter, spicier, and far more layered than your average brunch spritz....
Cherry Cosmo

Cherry Cosmo

The Cosmopolitan has come a long way since its heyday. Born from earlier vodka-cranberry drinks and refined into its modern form in the late ’80s, the Cosmo became a cultural icon thanks to its bold...
French Martini

French Martini

A 90s icon, revisited.Fruity, flirty, and full of throwback charm, the French Martini helped kick off the flavored martini craze of the 1990s. Created by bartender Dale DeGroff at Keith McNally’s Balthazar in New York,...
Bloody Mary

Bloody Mary

Few cocktails spark as much devotion (or debate) as the Bloody Mary. Equal parts brunch hero, hangover helper, and savory sipper, its origin story is as layered as its spice rack. Some trace it to...
Earl Grey Mar-tea-ni Recipe

Earl Grey Mar-tea-ni

A little gin, a little tea, a little twist on tradition.
Lust for Life Recipe

Lust for Life

Shake up something smoky, bright, and unforgettable. The Lust for Life cocktail was originally crafted by bartender Joaquín Simó at Pouring Ribbons in NYC, and it’s been a quiet classic ever since. With earthy mezcal,...
View all recipes