What glass is a Mai Tai served in?

A rocks glass. The wide mouth puts the aroma of a citrus twist right under your nose, and the heavy base survives muddling and stirring in the glass.

Is a Mai Tai shaken or stirred?

Shaken. It contains citrus, juice, cream or egg, which need the force and aeration of shaking.

How strong is a Mai Tai?

About 18% ABV after dilution, or roughly 1.9 US standard drinks (26 g of alcohol) per serve.

How many calories are in a Mai Tai?

Roughly 270 kcal per drink, most of it from alcohol and sugar.

Can I make a Mai Tai without aged rum?

Yes. Dark Rum is the closest substitute, though the drink will taste different.

Cosmopolitan

Piña Colada

Mai Tai

Aged rum, lime, orange curaçao and almond orgeat over crushed ice. The king of tiki drinks, and nothing like the sweet juice versions on resort menus.

Strength: 18% ABV
Standard drinks (US): 1.9
Calories: 270 kcal
In the glass: 6⅓ oz
Method: Shaken

Aged Rum
Rhum Agricole
Lime Juice
Dry Curaçao
Orgeat
Demerara Syrup

How to Make a Mai Tai

Add the aged rum, rhum agricole, lime juice, dry Curaçao, orgeat and demerara syrup to a shaker.
Fill with ice and shake hard for 12 to 15 seconds.
Strain into a rocks glass over crushed ice.
Garnish with a mint sprig and a lime wheel.

Print the Pour GuideA true-scale card for your boston shaker glass with a line for every pour. Free Pour With Your CameraLine up your glass and pour to the lines on screen. Tilt Pour With Your PhoneStrap your phone to the bottle. It counts every pour and buzzes at the measure.

About the Mai Tai

Trader Vic Bergeron created the Mai Tai in Oakland in 1944, and his Tahitian friends declared it maita'i, meaning good. Don the Beachcomber also claimed it, but the recipe we know is Vic's.

Created 1944 in Oakland, USA. Listed as an official cocktail by the International Bartenders Association.

Bartender's tip: A mint sprig next to the straw lets you smell mint with every sip.

Taste Profile

Sweet

Sour

Bitter

Strong

Fresh

Good to Know

What glass is a Mai Tai served in?: A rocks glass. The wide mouth puts the aroma of a citrus twist right under your nose, and the heavy base survives muddling and stirring in the glass.
Is a Mai Tai shaken or stirred?: Shaken. It contains citrus, juice, cream or egg, which need the force and aeration of shaking.
How strong is a Mai Tai?: About 18% ABV after dilution, or roughly 1.9 US standard drinks (26 g of alcohol) per serve.
How many calories are in a Mai Tai?: Roughly 270 kcal per drink, most of it from alcohol and sugar.
Can I make a Mai Tai without aged rum?: Yes. Dark Rum is the closest substitute, though the drink will taste different.

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