Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Shake all ingredients with crushed ice until the tin is frosty
Pour unstrained into a tiki mug
Crown with additional crushed ice and a spent lime shell
Float a mint bouquet and serve with short straw
Glassware
Served in a tiki mug over crushed ice
Garnish
Slapped to release aroma
Spent half shell
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Use a blend of Jamaican and Martinique rums for depth
Fresh lime and quality orgeat are essential for balance
Serve with plenty of crushed ice to keep the drink cold
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Mai Tai.
Royal Hawaiian Mai Tai
The tourist-friendly evolution of Trader Vic's original Mai Tai, featuring the addition of pineapple and orange juices that transformed it into a globally recognized symbol of tropical leisure.
Mai Tai Swizzle
The complex, grapefruit-driven, and historically significant forerunner to the more famous Trader Vic's Mai Tai, created by the father of tiki culture, Donn Beach.
Other Variations
151 Float
Adds a float of overproof rum for extra aroma and kick.
Changes
Pineapple Splash
A small dose of pineapple juice nods to Hawaiian hotel versions.
Changes
History & Heritage
“Trader Vic Bergeron unveiled the Mai Tai in Oakland in 1944, presenting it to visiting Tahitian friends who exclaimed "Maita'i roa ae!"—roughly, "out of this world"—giving the drink its name. The formula sparked a rivalry with Don the Beachcomber, whose earlier Q.B. Cooler contained similar elements, though Vic's version became the template for post‑war tiki bars. As the cocktail migrated to Hawaii in the 1950s, hotel bartenders sweetened it with pineapple and orange juice, spawning a host of fruitier offshoots that diverged from the original spirit‑forward masterpiece.”
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Mango Colada
A lush, tropical cocktail that represents a natural and sublime evolution of its famous parent, the Piña Colada, by introducing the rich, honeyed sweetness of mango.
Navy Grog
Three‑rum classic—blend of rums with lime, grapefruit, and honey syrup over a cone of crushed ice.
Trader Vic's Suffering Bastard
A rum-centric tiki cocktail that's more robust and complex than the original gin and brandy Cairo creation. Essentially a more potent variation of the Mai Tai, featuring a blend of aged rums with citrus, orgeat, and curaçao.