The History of the Mai Tai
A tropical escape in every sip
Place of Origin
The Mai Tai is a Tiki classic, created in 1944 by Victor J. "Trader Vic" Bergeron in Oakland, California. Legend has it that the name "Mai Tai" comes from the Tahitian phrase "Maita'i roa ae," meaning "Out of this world!" after a friend tasted the drink. The Mai Tai quickly became a symbol of the Tiki movement and tropical escapism.
Typical Ingredients
- 2 oz Aged Rum
- 1/2 oz Orange Curaçao
- 1/4 oz Orgeat Syrup
- 1/2 oz Fresh Lime Juice
- 1/4 oz Simple Syrup
- Mint Sprig and Lime Wheel (for garnish)
How to Make a Mai Tai
- Add rum, orange curaçao, orgeat syrup, lime juice, and simple syrup into a shaker with ice.
- Shake until well-chilled.
- Strain into a glass filled with crushed ice.
- Garnish with a mint sprig and a lime wheel.
Typical Glassware
The Mai Tai is traditionally served in a double old-fashioned glass or a Tiki mug. The heavy glassware and crushed ice make it the perfect tropical cocktail, providing an inviting chill to the richly flavored drink.
Influence on Other Cocktails
The Mai Tai's popularity has influenced many other tropical drinks, including the Zombie and the Navy Grog. Its balance of sweet, sour, and boozy has been a hallmark of Tiki culture, inspiring countless rum-based drinks around the world.
Potential Riffs
- Pineapple Mai Tai: Add pineapple juice for a fruitier, sweeter version.
- Mango Mai Tai: Replace orange curaçao with mango liqueur to give it a tropical twist.
- Coconut Mai Tai: Use coconut rum to add a rich, creamy coconut flavor.
Mai Tai Scores
Mai Tai — 1/19/2024
| Quester | Well 80 | Cryptatropa | Cheeky Martini | The Mark | Cove | Cynara | Shiny Prize | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christ | 4.00 | 6.00 | 8.30 | 3.00 | 5.00 | 8.00 | 8.50 | 6.11 |
| JB | 8.00 | 8.00 | 6.50 | 6.00 | 7.00 | 7.50 | 7.17 | |
| Timbo | 5.00 | 7.60 | 8.10 | 6.10 | 5.10 | 7.90 | 7.40 | 6.74 |
| Jimbo | 4.00 | 6.50 | 7.00 | 5.50 | 6.50 | 8.00 | 6.25 | |
| Drunken Baller | 8.50 | 8.40 | 5.80 | 5.80 | 8.00 | 8.50 | 7.50 | |
| Eric | 5.00 | 8.25 | 3.00 | 6.00 | 6.75 | 7.75 | 7.90 | 6.38 |
| Angela | 6.00 | 7.00 | 6.50 | |||||
| Kriston (Ninja) | 6.00 | 5.00 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 7.00 | 5.20 | ||
| Kelsinki | 4.50 | 9.10 | 2.00 | 4.50 | 6.00 | 7.80 | 8.80 | 6.10 |
| Average | 4.50 | 7.49 | 6.23 | 5.18 | 5.68 | 7.64 | 7.95 | 6.45 |