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The Sassy Cocktail

Make your home happy hour a little more sassy with our cocktail recipes

March 27, 2025

Mai Tai

Mai Tai – is a complex rum cocktail made with white rum, dark rum with hints of citrus and almond. The best Mai Tai recipe across the web.

mai tai

This is a very classic, strong, complex, but sophisticated Mai Tai recipe. It’s such a popular tiki cocktail with a complex rum base with hints of orange liqueur, citrus and almond, making it a tropical drink.

This post is about the best Mai Tai recipe.

CLASSIC MAI TAI

If you love classic, old-fashioned cocktails, try this easy Mai Tai! This is the perfect tropical, complex cocktail that is perfect for any special occasion. Have yourself a Tiki bar vibes at home with a strong, yet sophisticated Mai Tai cocktail. This is cocktail that me and my husband enjoyed in our honeymoon in Hawaii, and it was a hit! So we decided to bring you a piece of Hawaiian islands from the comfort of your own home.

tiki bar

 

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE

A Classic Cocktail. A traditional Mai Tai is a rum based cocktail that has light and dark rums, orgeat syrup, lime juice and orange liqueur. Perfect for those who prefer classic drinks.
Perfect for Parties. This classic cocktail is the best way to celebrate summer. It’s strong but tropical enough for daytime drinking near the pool. Plus it comes together in seconds, how convenient! Prepare a pitcher of this summer cocktail idea for a crowd!
Unique Flavor Combination. Almond and orange flower syrup with hints of citrus combined with both rums make a very refreshing and unique flavor that’s perfect for summer.

classic mai tai

mai tai cocktail recipe

IF YOU PREFER SWEETER COCKTAILS, TRY OUT THESE –

ALOHA RUM PUNCH

PINA COLADA SANGRIA

INGREDIENTS NOTES

Here’s everything you need to make this cocktail. See the recipe card down below for exact measurements.

tiki

HOW TO MAKE MAI TAI

Combine light rum, triple sec, lime juice, and orgeat in a cocktail shaker.
Add ice to the cocktail shaker, then cover and shake well, until chilled.
Strain the mixture into a tiki glass filled with fresh ice.
Slowly pour in the dark rum. It should float on the top so do not mix it in before serving.
Garnish with pineapple leaves, Maraschino cherries, lime wheels and purple flowers for a visually appealing look.

FOR PITCHER

Mix all ingredients in a large pitcher. Adjust strength/sweetness as needed by adding simple syrup or more juice. Serve over ice.

tiki cocktails

RECIPE FAQ’S

Q. What is Orgeat SYRUP?

A. Orgeat syrup is made from blanched almonds and orange flower water. It has a delicious, creamy & nutty flavor that is essential to the Mai Tai. You can also use almond syrup if you can’t find an orgeat syrup.

Q. HOW TO MAKE THIS COCKTAIL LESS STRONG?

A. Although this classic cocktail is very strong, you can make it less strong by adding in a splash of pineapple or orange juice. Many Mai Tai’s today are served more as a Mai Tai punch, with pineapple or orange juices.

mai tai cocktail

Q. CAN I MAKE THIS MAI TAI NON-ALCOHOLIC?

A. Sure! Turn it into a mocktail by substituting the liqueurs for pineapple and orange juices with a touch of grenadine.

Q. I DON’T HAVE Orgeat SYRUP. How can i substitute it?

A. Substitute amaretto syrup, grenadine syrup or other simple syrup of your choice. You can also use orange curacao instead of triple sec to make it less strong and more punch like.

Q. I DON’T HAVE WHITE RUM. How can i substitute it?

A. To make this classic drink, dark rum should always be added. But you can use aged rum instead of white rum (anejo rum or amber rum) for a more complex flavor. You can also use coconut rum that makes a great, sweeter substitute. You can also skip one of the rums (white or gold), but you should always add the dark one to make it ”Mai Tai” like.
mai tai cocktail

Mai Tai

Mai Tai - is a complex rum cocktail made with white rum, dark rum with hints of citrus and almond. The best Mai Tai recipe across the web.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins
Servings: 1 serving
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Hawaiian
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 oz light rum
  • 1.5 oz dark rum
  • 2 oz triple sec
  • 1 oz lime juice
  • 1/2 oz orgeat syrup
  • a splash of pineapple juice, optional (to make it less strong)
  • pineapple wedge, lime wheels, Maraschino cherries, purple edible flowers, for garnish (optional)

Equipment

  • a tiki glass

Method
 

  1. Combine light rum, triple sec, lime juice, and orgeat in a cocktail shaker.
  2. Add ice to the cocktail shaker, then cover and shake well, until chilled.
  3. Strain the mixture into a tiki glass filled with fresh ice.
  4. Slowly pour in the dark rum. It should float on the top so do not mix it in before serving.
  5. Garnish with pineapple leaves, Maraschino cherries, lime wheels and purple flowers for a visually appealing look. Serve and enjoy!

LOVED OUR MAI TAI RECIPE? PIN IT FOR LATER!

best mai tai

classic mai tai cocktail

By: Rebeka · In: Cocktail Recipes, Cocktails, Rum Cocktails, Summer Cocktails · Tagged: best mai tai, classic mai tai, dark rum cocktails, mai tai, mai tai cocktail, mai tai recipe, rum punch, tiki, tiki bar, tiki cocktails, white rum cocktails

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