Mai Tai

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

This Mai Tai recipe is a delicious, tropical drink that’s easy to make! It’s not exactly like the original, but it’s a fun twist with sweet and tangy flavors. Perfect for a summer pool party or just to feel like you’re on vacation at home.

Mai tai with pineapple and cherries.

Why You’ll Love This Drink

My version of the Mai Tai has two types of rum, a little sweetness from orgeat syrup, and a splash of lime juice to make it taste super fresh. If you want to make it more fruity, you can add pineapple juice and grenadine. It’s all about making the drink the way you like it!

If you’re looking for other beach drinks, try our key lime colada, electric smurf, and Bahama mama recipes!

Ingredients:

  • White rum: This is the main part of the drink that makes it smooth.
  • Orgeat syrup: Adds a sweet, nutty flavor (it’s made from almonds!).
  • Fresh lime juice: Adds a sour kick to balance the sweetness.
  • Triple sec or orange curaçao: Gives a nice orange flavor.
  • Dark rum: You’ll pour this on top to add a richer taste.
  • Optional: Pineapple juice and grenadine for extra fruit flavor.
Ingredients used in a mai tai with their labels.

How to Make It

  1. Mix everything: Add the white rum, lime juice, orgeat syrup, triple sec, and any pineapple juice or grenadine to a cocktail shaker.
  2. Shake it up: Put in some ice and shake really well.
Top down view of ice, pineapple juice and grenadine in a cup.
  1. Strain: Pour the drink into a glass with crushed ice.
Cocktail being poured into a glass.
  1. Dark rum float: Slowly pour the dark rum on top, so it stays on the surface.
  2. Garnish: Add a slice of pineapple, lime, and a couple of cherries on top.

Tips for the Perfect Mai Tai

  • Make it your own: Skip the pineapple juice and grenadine if you want a more classic Mai Tai. Add them if you like more fruit flavors!
  • Dark rum is key: The dark rum gives the drink a rich flavor and cool layered look.
  • Shake it up: Shaking blends all the flavors so your drink is smooth and delicious.
Tropical cocktail with pineapple and cherry.

This isn’t a traditional Mai Tai, but it’s super tasty and easy to make at home. Whether you like it classic or with a fruit twist, this drink will make you feel like you’re relaxing on a tropical island!

Like This Recipe?

We’d love it if you would leave a 5 Star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and follow us on Facebook and Pinterest!

Cherries on a rum cocktail.

Easy Mai Tai Recipe

4.7 from 3 votes
Print Pin
Author: Kimberly
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 Serving

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces white rum
  • 1 ounce pineapple juice, optional
  • 1 ounce orgeat syrup
  • ½ ounce grenadine, optional
  • ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
  • ½ ounce triple sec, or orange curacao
  • 1 ounce dark rum

Instructions
 

  • Add ice to a cocktail shaker. Pour in all the ingredients except the dark rum.
    2 ounces white rum
    1 ounce pineapple juice
    1 ounce orgeat syrup
    ½ ounce grenadine
    ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
    ½ ounce triple sec
  • Shake vigorously to combine the ingredients.
  • Add some crushed ice to a glass, and strain in the cocktail. Float the dark rum on top.
    1 ounce dark rum
  • Garnish with small, thinly sliced pineapple, lime slices and maraschino cherries.

Notes

  • The calories listed are an approximation based on the ingredients in the recipe card and a serving size of 1 (8-ounce) cocktail. Actual calories will vary.

Nutrition

Serving: 1drink | Calories: 373kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 23mg | Potassium: 81mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin A: 9IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg
4.67 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating