Pages
Home
My Bar
Cocktails
Listmania
A.I. Search
Level-up
Ingredients
Log in
Cocktails We Love
Death Flip
Death Flip Tequila blanco, Jagermeister, Yellow Chartreuse, Sugar / simple syrup, Egg
The Stamp
The Stamp Green Cardamom Pisco, Pino Mugo, Tonic water, Blackberry syrup, Lemon juice, Basil leaves
La Pinela
La Pinela Tequila blanco, Vanilla liqueur, Cinnamon syrup, Pineapple juice, Lime juice, Cinnamon, Sugar
Eastern Standard
Eastern Standard Dry gin, Sugar / simple syrup, Lime juice, Cucumber, Mint leaves
Last Word
Last Word Dry gin, Green Chartreuse, Maraschino cherry liqueur, Lime juice
Level Up
Mastering the Shake
Shaken or Stirred?
The History of the Manhattan
Pairing Cocktails with Food
Muddling - The Why, What, and How?
No results found
esc to close
enter to select
Congratulations!

Welcome to Make Me a Cocktail PREMIUM - where your cocktail adventure begins!

We're absolutely delighted to have you join our community of spirited enthusiasts. As a premium member, you've just unlocked a shaker full of exciting features: from crafting personalized cocktail lists, jotting down those tasty tasting notes and using our most advanced AI-driven cocktail tools.

Our platform is your playground to mix, mingle, and explore the vibrant world of cocktails, so get shaking and get mixing!
Congratulations!

Welcome to Make Me a Cocktail - where your cocktail adventure begins!

We're absolutely delighted to have you join our community of spirited enthusiasts. You've just unlocked a shaker full of exciting features: from crafting personalized cocktail lists, jotting down those tasty tasting notes and storing your bar for future use.

Our platform is your playground to mix, mingle, and explore the vibrant world of cocktails, so get shaking and get mixing!
Congratulations!

You've just been upgraded to our super amazing PREMIUM membership - where your new cocktail adventure begins!

We're absolutely delighted to have you join our community of spirited enthusiasts. As a premium member, you've just unlocked a shaker full of exciting features: from crafting personalized cocktail lists, jotting down those tasty tasting notes and using our most advanced AI-driven cocktail tools.

Our platform is your playground to mix, mingle, and explore the vibrant world of cocktails, so get shaking and get mixing!
Register to continue

Almost there. You are one step away from unlocking this feature.

Register below to continue and keep your bar, lists, and preferences synced.

Join thousands of members and get access to this and a heap more.

You want to be an even better mixologist, get access to cutting-edge tools and use the power of AI to create wonderful cocktails.

    Personalised Cocktail Mastery

  • Cocktail recipe masterclass tips
  • Access to Cocktail Connie
  • Cocktail creator plus

    • Supercharged Tools

  • Serving size alteration
  • Powerful A.I. search
  • All menu creator themes

    • Smarter Home Bar Management

  • Multiple bars
  • Photo your bar
  • Ignore kitchen cupboard staples
  • Personal My Bar image

    • A Cleaner Experience

  • No ads, no intrusions
  • ... and so much more ...
Register
Social share
Toggle white / black
Upgrade to unlock this

Almost there. You are one step away from this premium feature.

Upgrade to premium to unlock this and a heap more.

Join thousands of premium members and get access to this and a heap more.

You want to be an even better mixologist, get access to cutting-edge tools and use the power of AI to create wonderful cocktails.

    Personalised Cocktail Mastery

  • Cocktail recipe masterclass tips
  • Access to Cocktail Connie
  • Cocktail creator plus

    • Supercharged Tools

  • Serving size alteration
  • Powerful A.I. search
  • All menu creator themes

    • Smarter Home Bar Management

  • Multiple bars
  • Photo your bar
  • Ignore kitchen cupboard staples
  • Personal My Bar image

    • A Cleaner Experience

  • No ads, no intrusions
  • ... and so much more ...
logo

Make Me a Cocktail

Mai Tai
Cocktail recipe

Rating

4.62 / 5

Can you make this?

Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.

The Mai Tai is a landmark tiki cocktail: a rum-forward sour sweetened with almond and brightened by citrus, built to... ... more

The Mai Tai is a landmark tiki cocktail: a rum-forward sour sweetened with almond and brightened by citrus, built to taste like a tropical getaway without hiding the spirit. You’ll most often see its origins tied to mid-century American tiki culture, where rum blends and exotic syrups became the signature language of Polynesian-inspired bars. Over time it evolves from a simple, punchy rum-and-lime template into a modern icon, with the best versions keeping the focus on quality rum and the distinctive snap of orgeat.

On the palate, white rum brings a clean base while Jamaican rum adds deeper, funkier rum character and weight. Lime juice drives the drink with sharp acidity, and the sugar/simple syrup smooths the edges so it stays rounded rather than bracing. Orange liqueur threads in a sweet citrus lift that bridges the lime and rum, while orgeat syrup layers in rich almond sweetness that makes the whole drink feel plush and cohesive.

Serve it in a lowball/rocks glass when you want something festive but still spirit-led—ideal for warm evenings, backyard hangs, or anytime you’re craving a bold rum cocktail that isn’t overly sugary. If you like sours, tiki flavors, or complex rum blends, you’ll find it hits the sweet spot between bright, nutty, and seriously satisfying.
Check out all our FAQ's on this cocktail

Microbadges

IBA Official Drink
Cocktail Of The Day
100 Cocktails To Try Before You Die
100 Cocktails To Try Before You Die (Part 2)
Invented
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1944
Base ingredient
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
White rum
Calories
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
251 calories
Garnish
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pineapple, mint, lime
Alcohol content
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20.51% | 2.63 units *
Details
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Classic
Shaken

Tags

White rum ingredient icon
White rum cocktails
Orgeat syrup ingredient icon
Top ten Orgeat syrup cocktails
tag icon
Strong cocktail

Lowball / rocks glass

Ingredients

oz
ml
cl
Serves:
-
+
cocktail colin avatar

Cocktail Colin says:

5/5

White rum and Jamaican rum lead with a rich, funky backbone, while lime juice snaps bright and tart against orange liqueur’s citrus sweetness; orgeat syrup brings creamy almond depth and simple syrup rounds the edges into a lush, rum-forward sour. It works because the lime’s acidity keeps the syrups from cloying and the orange liqueur bridges rum and almond, perfect for drinkers who want bold rum character with layered sweetness.

Method
How to make a Mai Tai

Serves 1 · Takes 3 minutes
White rum 30ml, Jamaican rum 30ml, Orange liqueur 15ml, Lime juice 30ml, Sugar / simple syrup 7.5ml, Orgeat syrup 15ml
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice
Shake well for 10-15 seconds or until the outside of the shaker becomes frosted
Strain into a lowball glass
Garnish with a pineapple spear, mint leaves and a lime peel, and serve

Power tips
Elevate the Mai Tai with these master mixologist tips

Upgrade to premium

And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.

Find out more
Use freshly squeezed lime juice to ensure the best possible flavor and brightness in your Mai Tai.
Consider using a mix of Jamaican and Demerara rum for added depth and complexity in the cocktail.
Upgrade to premium to receive even more power tips on this cocktail.

Mai Tai masterclass

Master the craft of the Mai Tai cocktail with one of our cocktail deep dive masterclasses

History of the Mai Tai Cocktail

If the hot summer weather has you craving a drink that embodies the spirit of the islands, the Mai T...

How to Create the Perfect Mai Tai at Home: A Step-by-Step Guide

There's nothing like a well-made Mai Tai to whisk you away to a tropical paradise, no matter where y...

Learn more about some of the mixology terms used in this cocktail

·  Shake  ·  Strain  ·  Garnish  · 

Your private tasting notes

~ Register as a user for free to create tasting notes, save your bar and more ~

Comments

Featured in

FAQ's

Origins history icon

What is the origin of the Mai Tai?

The Mai Tai was originally created in the 1940s. There's a bit of a debate about its exact origin, but it is widely believed to have been invented by Trader Vic (Victor J. Bergeron) in Oakland, California. Another claim is by Don the Beachcomber, a competitor, who claimed to have created it in 1933 in his bar in Hollywood. Regardless of its origin, the Mai Tai is a staple of Tiki culture.

Faq icon

Why is it called a Mai Tai?

The name 'Mai Tai' comes from the Tahitian word 'Maita'i', which is a term for 'good' or 'excellence'. According to the popular story by Trader Vic, he created the cocktail for some friends visiting from Tahiti, and after tasting it, one of them exclaimed, 'Maita'i roa ae!', which means 'very good!' or 'the best!' in Tahitian, and the name stuck.

Customization ideas icon

What makes a Mai Tai unique compared to other cocktails?

What sets the Mai Tai apart is its combination of two different types of rum (White rum and Jamaican rum), along with the distinctive flavors of orgeat syrup (an almond-flavored syrup) and orange liqueur, typically balanced with lime juice and sugar syrup. This mix not only gives the Mai Tai its unique taste but also its layered complexity that's hard to find in other cocktails.

Faq icon

Can I use any kind of rum for a Mai Tai?

For an authentic Mai Tai, it's recommended to use a good quality white rum and a darker, aged Jamaican rum. The combination of these two types of rum helps to create the classic Mai Tai flavor profile. However, variations of the cocktail might use different rums based on personal preference or availability.

Food pairings icon

What kind of food pairs well with a Mai Tai?

Mai Tais, with their sweet and tangy flavor profile, pair excellently with a wide range of foods, especially Polynesian, Hawaiian, and general tropical-themed cuisines. They go particularly well with seafood, grilled meats, and dishes with sweet and sour elements. The cocktail's bold flavors can also complement spicy foods by providing a refreshing contrast.

Upgrade your mixology

Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.

  • Save your bar forever
  • Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
  • Access to Cocktail Colin; ask Cocktail Colin anything on an individual cocktail and he'll give you the answers you need.
  • Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
  • Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
  • Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
  • Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
  • A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
  • And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Register now for free Find out more about premium

Have you tried our Wordpress Plugin?

Download our plugin and embed cocktail recipes directly onto your own site or blog.

Choose from our whole recipe database, or choose a specific cocktail made with a certain ingredient, and let us place a beautiful recipe on your own site.

Find out more

You might also like

Try this rum cocktail with a citrusy symphony.

Rum Louis

White rum, Dark rum, Pineapple juice, Orange juice, Grapefruit juice, Lemon

Discover this rich fusion of sherry and vermouth

Dolores

White rum, Sherry (sweet), Red vermouth

Dive into this citrusy and spiced island delight

Royal Bermuda Yacht Club

White rum, Orange liqueur, Lime juice, Falernum, Sugar / simple syrup

Indulge in this bubbly peach perfection with a twist

Peach Bellini

White rum, Champagne / prosecco, Peach
* US units estimated based on the standard alcohol content of the ingredients used and the proportions in the recipe. Please drink responsibly.
build your bar

Create a cocktail

Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.

Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.

Start creating

Build your bar

Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.

Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.

Create My Bar
build your bar light mode image
Jump
Top
Ingredients
Method
Power tips
Tasting notes
Comments
Featured in
FAQs
Cocktail Colin

Cocktail Colin

Your cocktail expert

Cocktail Colin

Hi! I'm Cocktail Colin

Ask me anything about this cocktail - how to make it, substitutions, variations, or any other questions!

Colin is thinking...
Become a member to access Cocktail Colin

Become a member (for free) to pick Cocktail Colin's cocktail filled brain on everything on this cocktail, from substitutions, if you can use what you have, to serving suggestions and more.

Become a member