Mai Tai
This Mai Tai recipe is an easy-to-prepare tropical drink with sweet and tangy flavors. It’s perfect for summer parties or relaxing at home!
If you want to make a mai tai with grenadine, this cocktail is for you! While it’s not the classic 1940s version, this simple drink captures the fun, fruity essence of the original.
It’s perfect for summer pool parties, laid-back weekends, or those times you want to bring a little vacation vibe to your day.
My version combines two types of rum, some orgeat syrup, a touch of grenadine, and a splash of lime juice. I also like to add some pineapple juice for a tropical touch.
If you’re a fan of beachy, tiki drinks, be sure to check out our key lime colada, electric smurf, and Bahama mama recipes, too!
Easy Mai Tai Ingredients
- Grenadine (optional): Adds color and a touch of sweetness.
- White Rum: The base of the cocktail, providing a smooth and light foundation.
- Orgeat Syrup: Adds a subtle nutty flavor with a hint of sweetness and helps to balance the citrus.
- Fresh Lime Juice: Brings a bright, tangy element to offset the sweetness.
- Triple Sec or Orange Curaçao: Contributes a mild orange flavor to complement the other ingredients.
- Dark Rum: Floated on top for depth and a richer flavor.
- Pineapple Juice (optional): Enhances the fruitiness for a more tropical version.
Best Rum Options
The rum you choose really makes a difference in the flavor. Here are some great options:
- White Rum: Smooth and light, it’s the base for this cocktail.
- Dark Rum: Adds a stronger, deeper flavor when floated on top.
- Jamaican Rum: For a more traditional, bold flavor.
- Coconut Rum: I love to swap one of the rums with coconut rum from time to time for a lighter, more tropical flavored drink.
Tips for the Best Mai Tai
- Layer Your Dark Rum: Slowly pour it over the back of a spoon for that signature layered look.
- Use Fresh Lime Juice: Bottled lime juice works in a pinch, but fresh squeezed lime juice makes a big difference in the overall taste.
- Make It Your Own: Feel free to change proportions or ingredients. It’s all about preference.
Recipe Variations
The beauty of this simple recipe is how easily you can tweak it to suit your taste. Here are a few ideas:
- Skip the grenadine and pineapple juice for a more classic version.
- Substitute coconut rum for white rum to create a tropical drink.
- Add a splash of orange juice for a sweeter, citrus based variation.
Storage Tips
Cocktails are best enjoyed fresh, but you can prep some components ahead of time.
- Mix the base: Combine the white rum, pineapple juice, lime juice, orgeat syrup, and orange curaçao or triple sec in a jar and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
- Keep it chilled: Store fresh lime juice and orgeat syrup in the fridge to ensure the best flavor.
- Serve: Add ice, grenadine, and dark rum just before serving to keep it fresh and tasting its best.
More Cocktail Recipes
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 rum1 ounce pineapple juice1 ounce orgeat syrup½ ounce grenadine½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice½ 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 by slowly pouring it over the back of a spoon to create a layered look.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.