Mai Tai
The original Mai Tai recipe: rum, curaçao, orgeat, and lime juice. A complex and fruity tiki cocktail with a long history.
Description
The Mai Tai is the flagship of the tiki cocktail era, which emerged in the 1940s and '50s in the US. Its creation is attributed to the legendary restaurateur Victor "Trader Vic" Bergeron. The story goes that he prepared the drink for some Tahitian friends in 1944. After trying the first sip, they allegedly exclaimed, "Maita'i roa a'e!", which in Tahitian means "out of this world! The best!" From then on, the name was born. An authentic Mai Tai is characterized by the use of two different types of rum, which give it a complex depth. Unlike many later imitations that often use fruit juices, the original recipe is based on the subtle almond note of orgeat syrup, the dryness of curaçao, and the freshness of lime.
Preparation
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Add all ingredients (both rums, orange curaçao, orgeat syrup, lime juice).
- Shake vigorously until the shaker is cold on the outside.
- Strain the contents through a sieve into an old fashioned glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a mint sprig and a lime wedge and serve.
