The original Mai Tai

A copycat of Trader Vic’s Original Mai Tai~ cool, refreshing, tangy and tart!  The perfect cocktail to serve for any get together where you want a classic Tiki vibe!

The best tropical drink ever……. A Trader Vic’s style Mai Tai!

This weeks edition of Friday Cocktails is a Mai Tai that is rumored to be the original recipe from the original Trader Vic’s. Many variations are famous these days in any tropical bar, hotel or tiki lounge. It’s tropical flavor is highlighted by orange citrus and full of two kinds of rum.

There are many variations on this drink, but the original drink hails from Trader Vic’s. They made a variation for the Royal Caribbean Hotel that’s slightly different (it has pineapple juice it that recipe but that’s a version for another day.)

There is a story that when the original recipe was made, it was made for some friends visiting Trader Vic’s from Tahiti. When the lady took a drink she exclaimed “Maita’I roa ae” which translates to very good! Thus the name….Mai Tai!

I love this drink, not only because it tastes really good! I love the icy coldness, the tropical flavor, the subtleness of the rum(s)…… on a side note……a little info on the difference between light and dark rum. Light rum is aged in a steel container while dark rum is aged in a barrel (usually oak.) The difference in the flavor is the barrel imparts some depth/strength to the Rum thus it tastes a little stronger than the light rum.

Oh, I almost forgot. I love the cherry! I mean who doesn’t like a cherry in their tropical drink?? You can also serve it with some sliced fruit (pineapple, orange, lime) and it looks pretty cool with those cute umbrellas or even an orchid if you have one! The traditional drink is served in an old-fashioned glass. But if you don’t have that, use what you have.

I also like that Trader Vic’s was one of my dad’s favorite places to visit when I was little. It always makes me think of him when I have one.

Being able to make this drink for parties is a fun themed idea. (Don’t even get me started on the fun appetizers to serve with this drink…….which reminds me , coming really soon…. A coconut shrimp recipe that would make Trader Vic himself proud to serve!)

But today…. Go make a Mai Tai!

Cheers!

Yield: 1

A tasty tropical Cocktail! The original Mai Tai

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When you are looking for a fun tropical drink that is super easy to make.....look no further! A Trader Vic's original Mai Tai is just the ticket for an amazing cocktail!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 ounces dark Rum
• 4 ounces light Rum
• 2 ounces Orange Curacao
• 2 ounces Almond Syrup
• 2 Limes, juiced

Optional Add-ins

• Cherries
• Slice of Fruit, pineapple, orange, lime
• Orchid Flower
• Umbrella
• Sprig of Mint

Instructions

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add Rums, curacao, almond syrup and lime juice and shake very well.
3. Strain into 4 chilled, iced old fashioned glasses and garnish with your chosen Add-ins.
4. Makes 4 servings.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1 Servings
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 843Sodium: 69mgCarbohydrates: 87gSugar: 84g

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