CLASSIC COCKTAIL · 1934–1959
Mai Tai
Rum, lime, orgeat and orange curaçao: the definitive tiki cocktail.
1944Historical classicResearched
Trader Vic Bergeron created the Mai Tai in 1944 at his Oakland restaurant, reportedly testing it on friends from Tahiti who exclaimed “Mai Tai — Roa Ae!” (“Out of this world — the best!”). The original used 17-year-old Jamaican rum, lime, orgeat, orange curaçao and rock candy syrup. Donn Beach later claimed a prior version, and the dispute remains part of tiki lore.
- The 1950s “Mai Tai” became a sweet, fruit-juice drink far from the 1944 original.
- Jeff Berry’s research restored the original 1944 formula.
- Royal Hawaiian Mai Tai
- Mai Tai Swizzle
THE RECIPE
Ingredients
- Aged Jamaican rum60 ml
- Lime juice20 ml
- Orange curaçao15 ml
- Orgeat15 ml
- Lime shell and mintto garnish
Method
Shake the rum, lime, curaçao and orgeat with ice, strain into a rocks glass over crushed ice and garnish with the spent lime shell and mint.
Rocks glass · crushed ice · mint