Many have heard of a Mai Tai but few have actually tasted this glorious nectar of the gods.
Ordering a Mai Tai at most places is a dicey proposition at best -- I'm looking at you, P.F. Chang's. The bartender or waiter usually hands you some nasty concoction of pineapple juice, orange juice, grenadine, and cheap rum.
No wonder the Mai Tai's reputation is that of a disgustingly sweet umbrella drink.
Well, it's time to set the record straight -- the Mai Tai is one of the most sophisticated, complex cocktails ever invented.
There has been a great deal of controversy over both who invented the Mai Tai as well as what the true recipe actually is.
While Collective wisdom has accepted Trader Vic Bergeron as the true inventor of the Mai Tai, the company that continues his legacy lists a "present day formula" that is more about selling their private label rum and syrup than offering up a true Mai Tai.
Fortunately for us, Beachbum Berry has set the record straight. His tireless research in mixology has resulted in two must-have books, Beachbum Berry's Grog Log and Intoxica!
Here then, is the true Mai Tai recipe according to Beachbum Berry:
Fill a double old fashioned glass with crushed ice, then pour the ice into a cocktail shaker and add:
1 ounce St. James Hors D'Age Martinique Rum
1 ounce Appleton Estate Extra Rum
1/2 ounce Marie Brizard orange curacao
1/4 ounce Trader Vic's Orgeat Syrup (an almond flavored syrup)
1/4 ounce Trader Vic's Rock Candy Syrup
1 ounce fresh squeezed lime juice (don't use bottled lime juices).
Drop in half a lime shell and shake vigorously for ten seconds. Pout it all into your double old fashioned glass, add more crushed ice to fill, and garnish with a sprig of mint.
After extensive testing and experimenting, I can personally vouch for this Mai Tai recipe as one of the finest cocktails you will ever taste.
Visit the Beachbum's site for more rum cocktails and lore.
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I can confirm from personal experience that this gentleman does indeed know how to make one of the best Mai Tai's I ever tasted.
Two new writers in one day, what have we done to deserve this.
Sounds absolutely delicious! I'll be right over.
I've only been to one place that serves a real Mai Tai (outside of Trader Vic's of course), and it's heaven.
I actually like the PF Chang's Mai Tai, but it's not actually a mai tai, it's orange-pineapple juice with some alcohol in it. A real mai tai is out of this world.