Mai Tai

The Mai Tai is a Cocktail which is comprised of Rum, Orgeat Syrup, Orange Curacao, Fresh Lime Juice, and Rock Candy Syrup.

What does "Mai Tai" mean?

"Mai tai -- roa aee!" in Tahitian: "Out of this world, the best!"

However:

"Maitai oe -- Are you well?" "Maitai roa -- Very Well!"

Who created the Mai Tai?

The Mai Tai was created by Trader Vic in 1944

"I was at the service bar in my Oakland restaurant. I took down a bottle of 17-year-old rum. It was J. Wray Nephew from Jamaica; surprisingly golden in color, medium bodied, but with the rich pungent flavor particular to the Jamaican blends. The flavor of this great rum wasn't meant to be overpowered with heavy additions of fruit juices and flavorings. I took a fresh lime, added some orange curacao from Holland, a dash of Rock Candy Syrup, and a dollop of French Orgeat, for its subtle almond flavor. A generous amount of shaved ice and vigorous shaking by hand produced the marriage I was after. Half the lime shell went in for color ... I stuck in a branch of fresh mint and gave two of them to Ham and Carrie Guild, friends from Tahiti, who were there that night. Carrie took one sip and said, "Mai Tai - Roa Ae". In Tahitian this means "Out of This World - The Best". Well, that was that. I named the drink "Mai Tai"."

"A Postcard from Stan Delaplane" by Stanton Delaplane, November 16, 1956.

"On this gray weepy Hawaiian morning, the SS Mariposa rounded Diamond Head. All our kamaaina old-time islanders bursting into tears at the rich, warm land smells and the surf making white pillows off Waikiki....Personally, I can hardly wait for a mai tai beside the pink palace Royal Hawaiian which i can see on the beach. A mai tai is a rummy sort of chemistry, the inspiration of Mr. Trader Vic."

Trader Vic's Recipes

Trader Vic's has changed its mai tai recipes slightly over the years. Here are the formulas over the years, according to the Trader Vic's web site.

Original Formula

• 2 oz 17-year-old J. Wray Nephew Jamaican rum
• 1/2 oz French Garnier Orgeat
• 1/2 oz Holland DeKuyper Orange Curacao
• 1/4 oz Rock Candy Syrup
• juice from one fresh lime

Hand shake and garnish with half of the lime shell inside the drink and float a sprig of fresh mint at the edge of the glass.

First Adjusted Formula

• 1 oz 15-year old J. Wray Nephew Jamaican Rum
• 1 oz Coruba or Red Heart Jamaican Rum
• 1/2 oz Trader Vic Formula Orgeat
• 1/2 oz Holland DeKuyper Orange Curacao
• 1/4 oz Rock Candy Syrup
• Juice from one fresh lime

Hand shake and garnish with half of the lime shell inside the drink and float a sprig of fresh mint at the edge of the glass.

Second Adjusted Formula

• 1 oz Trader Vic's Jamaican Rum (15- or 8-year old)
• 1 oz Martinique Rum (St. James or Trader Vic's)
• 1 oz pre-mixed Curacao, Orgeat and Rock Candy Syrup
• Juice from one fresh lime

Hand shake and garnish with half of the lime shell inside the drink and float a sprig of fresh mint at the edge of the glass.

Present Day Formula

• 2 oz fine dark rum
• 4 oz Trader Vic's Mai Tai Mix
• Juice of 1 large lime

Hand shake and garnish with half of the lime shell inside the drink and float a sprig of fresh mint at the edge of the glass.

Don the Beachcomber's Recipe

"Hawaii Tropical Rum Drinks