The Mai Tai is the quintessential tiki cocktail as far as I’m concerned. It is one of the most classic and actually one of the most fought over.
The founding fathers of tiki, Don the Beachcomber and Trader Vic, actually went to court over the rights to the drink, claiming that they were both the original creators!
But even with its rich history, popularity in the mid-century, a prominent role in the movie Blue Hawaii (I love Elvis), and it being the official cocktail of Richard Nixon’s presidency (what?), somehow it is still the most misinterpreted cocktail.
It’s pretty simple—rum, lime, curaçao, and orgeat, and for my own version, I’ve incorporated fresh mango, which is the perfect addition for summertime.
Related: 40 Fun Cocktails to Make at Home, Best Mint Mojito Recipe, Classic Gimlet Cocktail, and 25+ Refreshing Spring Cocktails.
Mango Mai Tai, serves 1
2 oz. Jamaican rum (I used Appleton Reserve)
3/4 oz. fresh lime juice
1/2 oz. orgeat
1/2 oz. curaçao (I used this one)
4 slices of fresh mango (here’s how to easily cut a mango)
almonds
demerara sugar
The most important part of this drink and probably the most complicated is the orgeat. Making your own is relatively easy, but If you don’t want to make it, you can purchase a store bought one and I highly recommend this one here.
To make orgeat, all you have to do is make almond milk and then add sugar. Soak one cup of almonds in a bowl with water for about an hour. This makes them soft and releases more flavor when you blend them.
The longer you let them soak the better! Drain the almonds and place in your blender with 3 cups of water and blend on high.
Place a nut milk bag (or a cheese cloth over a fine strainer) over a large bowl and slowly pour the almond milk mixture. Gently squeeze the bag or cloth to release the milk. This is the most tedious part.
After you’re done straining, measure the almond milk and add double the amount of sugar (2:1). I used demerara sugar because it is richer and works best for the types of drinks that orgeat is used in.
If you want to enhance the flavor of your orgeat, add a few drops of almond extract as well.
Mai Tais are usually served over crushed ice, but I thought blending this version would be better because of the addition of mango.
Add your rum, lime, orgeat, curaçao, and mango to a blender with 6-8 oz. of ice and blend on high. I’m a fan of the elaborate garnish so I used fresh mint, a lime wheel, and an orchid flower.
I really love this version of the Mai Tai. I made an already tropical cocktail even more so by taking it a step further and adding mango. All the flavors go so well together and making homemade orgeat was definitely worth it
I’m a huge fan of tropical cocktails and I really enjoyed making my own spin on the classic.
According to legend, after Trader Vic presented the cocktail to some of his visiting Tahitian friends, they ended up liking it so much one of them exclaimed, “Maita’i roa a’e,” which translates to “Out of this world! The best!”.
This is where the Mai Tai gets its name from. I hope you think this cocktail is the best too! It looks like you might have a recipe for your next tiki party. 😉 Cheers, everyone! xo – Natalie
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Ingredients
- 2 oz. Jamaican rum
- ¾ oz. lime juice (fresh)
- ½ oz. orgeat
- ½ oz. curaçao
- 4 slices mango (fresh)
- almonds
- sugar (demerara)
Instructions
- First, make the orgeat. All you have to do is make almond milk and then add sugar. Soak one cup of almonds in a bowl with water for about an hour. This makes them soft and releases more flavor when you blend them.
- The longer you let them soak the better! Drain the almonds and place in your blender with 3 cups of water and blend on high.
- Place a nut milk bag (or a cheese cloth over a fine strainer) over a large bowl and slowly pour the almond milk mixture. Gently squeeze the bag or cloth to release the milk. This is the most tedious part.
- After you’re done straining, measure the almond milk and add double the amount of sugar (2:1). I used demerara sugar because it is richer and works best for the types of drinks that orgeat is used in.
- If you want to enhance the flavor of your orgeat, add a few drops of almond extract as well.
- Add your rum, lime, orgeat, curaçao, and mango to a blender with 6-8 oz. of ice and blend on high.I’m a fan of the elaborate garnish so I used fresh mint, a lime wheel, and an orchid flower.
This looks so yummy and beautiful! I definitely need to try!!
The article you have shared here very good. This is really interesting information for me. Thanks for sharing!
So cool!
Orgeat isn’t complete without orange flower water! Another delicious brand of orgeat is Small Hand Foods. 🙂
I totally agree Molly! I often put orange blossom water in my orgeat too. You can also add amaretto for flavor, or my favorite Faretti (a biscotti liqueur). I was trying to keep this recipe simple. Sometimes I even variate on this and do macadamia nut, pistachio, or cashew orgeat. It all depends on what the drink is and the flavor I’m trying to accomplish. Cheers!
Like everyone else . . . LOVE the glassware 🙂 Can’t wait to try this ! THANK YOU 🙂
This looks too good not to try out! Thanks for sharing <3
https://www.myblackcloset.com/
So pretty!
It looks rather pretty, even if not for me 🙂
This definitely sounds delicious, and I love that you show us how to make most of the ingredients for a cocktail ourselves!
https://www.makeandmess.com/
I try to be as informative as possible. Making fresh syrups and using fresh ingredients is very important to me when making cocktails. Thanks, Michelle!
This looks so yummy and beautiful! I definitely need to try!!
http://www.themoptop.com
The glassware is on point! You guys always manage the find the cutest accessories!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Thanks so much Charmaine. Always appreciate your support!
I love the glassware! Where did you get them?
You can get a pair here: https://www.houzz.com/photos/82782195/Double-Sided-Happy-Sad-16oz-Tiki-Glass-Set-of-2-contemporary-cocktail-glasses
Yum! Looks beautiful and delicious. Can’t wait to try!
Thanks for this yummy mai tai recipe! I’m especially excited for the orgeat how-to!
So glad you like it, Laura. I think the orgeat how to is important. Although tedious, it’s pretty easy to make and is really worth it. Plus it’s also good in coffee!! 😉
Love those glasses! Where are they from?
Hey Anne! I have these from my old tiki bar but you can get new ones here: https://www.houzz.com/photos/82782195/Double-Sided-Happy-Sad-16oz-Tiki-Glass-Set-of-2-contemporary-cocktail-glasses