Mai Tai, Trader Vic
1 oz
Produced at the traditional sugarcane farms and distilleries of Jamaica, these molasses-based rums are beloved for their funky notes of tropical fruit. These can be bottled as a blend of pot and column-still rums (e.g., Appleton Signature) or as 100% pot still (e.g., Smith & Cross). Many recipes specifically call for Smith & Cross, which is elevated in both ABV and funky flavors. These rums are usually aged between 5 and 12 years, often in the tropical climate of Jamaica.
1 oz
Otherwise known as rhum agricole vieux. Made from fresh cane juice (rather than molasses) and aged in charred oak barrels, lending a rich smoky flavor. Rhum agricole originated in the French Caribbean islands. Widely available options include Clément Rhum J.M.
0.5 oz
A liqueur predominantly flavored with the dried peels of the laraha orange native to the island of Curaçao. Curaçao liqueur likely originated in the 1600s from the Dutch spirit company Bols after the West Indies Company controlled trade from the island. The liqueur comes in many colors with blue being the original made by Bols, however the color is only added for effect and adds no flavor. Triple Sec (ie: Cointreau) is considered a white Curaçao.
0.25 oz
A sweet syrup made from almonds, sugar, and rose water or orange flower water. Sometimes other nut derived syrups are referred to as orgeat. You can make this yourself! There's a few recipes, this one if from liquid Intelligence. Combine 660g very hot water with 200g nuts of your choice (almonds are traditional). Blend together at high speed, then strain through a fine strainer or cheescloth. Add salt if you'd like. Then combine 500g nut milk with 500g sugar, blend to combine. If the emulsion breaks, use a stick blender to quickly recombine (or shake hard before using). If you're up for it, add 1.75g Ticaloid 210s and 0.2g xanthan gum to stablize the emulsion. If you can't find Ticaloid, use a mixture of gum arabic and xanthan gum in a ratio of 9:1. This recipe doesn't use rose or orange flower water, if you'd like you can add small teaspoon of either.
0.25 oz
A syrup made from dissolving granulated sugar (sucrose) in water. Regular simple is made by combining 1:1 sugar:water by mass, rich simple is 2:1 sugar:water by mass although only 1.5 times as sweet as regular. We always use 1:1 syrup unless otherwise noted in the recipe itself.
1
Small, round, green citrus fruits. Commonly used in many cocktails for its rind or its acidic taste (6% acid total; 4% citric, 2% malic, some succinic acid).
0.5
Small, round, green citrus fruits. Commonly used in many cocktails for its rind or its acidic taste (6% acid total; 4% citric, 2% malic, some succinic acid).
1 sprig
Aromatic plants used in cocktails as a garnish or muddled into the liquor to add a light fresh taste. Common in the Mint Julep.
Shake well with plenty of crushed ice. Pour unstrained into a double Old Fashioned glass. Sink your spent lime shell into the drink. Garnish with a mint sprig. #shake #ontherocks
By Trader Vic, 1944. From a 1970s press release, “Let’s Get the Record Straight on the Mai Tai.” The original recipe called for 0.5 oz orgreat, but Vic later changed it to 0.25 oz.
Fresh
Sweet