Mai Tai

By Adam Rains

There are always two camps on who originally created the Mai Tai. Trader Vic or Don the Beachcomber, both were famous for creating famous rum cocktails and being collectors of hard to get Caribbean spirits. My personal belief is that the Mai Tai was invented by Victor Bergron, better known as Trader Vic’s. Around 1944, Trader Vic was serving some friends on a visit from Tahiti, he made this cocktail up and they exclaims “Mai Tai – Roa Ae” meaning “Out of this world – the best” Even if it isn’t 100% correct, its still a romantic story to tell to guests.

Ingredients:

2 oz. 17 year old J. Wray Nephew Jamaican Rum

1/2 oz. Curacao

1/2 oz. Orgeat Syrup

1/4 oz. Rock Candy Syrup

Juice of 1 fresh lime

Preparation:

Basically a punched up Daiquiri, I have seen Mai Tai’s simply made like the one above and then ones with a million ingredients in them. I prefer this version, pour the ingredients over shaved ice in a double old-fashioned glass, shake it well, add one spent lime shell and garnish it with a sprig of fresh mint.