Colorful tropical Mai Tai in tiki-style presentation with exotic garnishes

Ordinary Drink

Mai Tai

Der Mai Tai ist ein klassischer tropischer Cocktail, der seinen Ursprung in der Tiki-Kultur hat. Er besteht aus einer Mischung von Rum, Limettensaft, Orgeat-Sirup und Orange Curaçao, was ihm einen erfrischenden und fruchtigen Geschmack verleiht. Oft garniert mit frischen Minzblättern und einer Scheibe Ananas, ist der Mai Tai ein beliebter Genuss für Cocktail-Liebhaber.

  • fruchtig
  • süß
  • nussig
  • würzig
Kai
By KaiTiki & Tropical SpecialistPublished Reviewed
Prep Time
5 min
Glass
Collins glass
Difficulty
Intermediate
ABV
18%
Yields
1 serving
Jump to Recipe
Saved!

Der Mai Tai ist ein ordinary drink mit Rum im Mittelpunkt, fertig in 5 Minuten. Das Ergebnis: ein fruchtig and süß Genuss, der jede Minute wert ist. Regelmäßig unter den Top-Suchanfragen für "Sommer".

Key Takeaways

What you’ll learn

  • The authentic Mai Tai uses aged Jamaican rum, fresh lime juice, orange curaçao, and orgeat syrup — not fruit juices or pre-mixes.
  • Trader Vic (Victor Bergeron) created the original recipe in 1944 in Oakland, not Don the Beachcomber.
  • Quality aged Jamaican rum with its distinctive funky "hogo" ester character is essential for the authentic Mai Tai flavour profile.
  • Orgeat (almond syrup) is the secret ingredient that distinguishes a true Mai Tai and cannot be substituted with amaretto.

Ingredients

Serves
1 serving
Glass
Collins glass
Prep
5 min
  • 1 ozLight rum
  • 1/2 ozOrgeat syrup
  • 1/2 ozTriple sec
  • 1 1/2 ozSweet and sour
  • 1Cherry

Method

Preparation

  1. 01

    Shake alle Zutaten mit Eis. In ein Glas abseihen. Garnieren und mit einem Strohhalm servieren.

Origin

History & Origins

The Mai Tai stands as the crown jewel of tiki cocktails, and its origin involves one of the cocktail world's most entertaining rivalries. Victor "Trader Vic" Bergeron claimed he created the Mai Tai in 1944 at his Oakland restaurant, serving it to Tahitian friends who exclaimed "Maita'i roa ae!" — Tahitian for "Out of this world — the best!" The drink was an immediate sensation.

Ernest Raymond Beaumont Gantt, better known as Don the Beachcomber, insisted he had created a similar drink years earlier. As the godfather of tiki culture who opened the first tiki bar in 1933, Don had credibility for such a claim. Most cocktail historians credit Trader Vic with the Mai Tai as we know it today: Don's recipes were notoriously complex and secretive, while Vic's formula was elegantly simple, allowing quality rum to shine. Trader Vic's original 1944 recipe called specifically for 17-year-old J. Wray & Nephew Jamaican rum — vintage bottles now fetch thousands of dollars.

Most cocktail historians credit Trader Vic with the Mai Tai as we know it today: Don's recipes were notoriously complex and secretive, while Vic's formula was elegantly simple, allowing quality rum to shine.

The Mai Tai's widespread adoption through the postwar tiki boom of the 1950s and 1960s led to countless bastardisations loaded with pineapple juice, grenadine, and cheap rum that bore almost no resemblance to the sophisticated original. The craft cocktail revival has restored the authentic version to prominence, and today any serious tiki bar or cocktail programme serves the original: aged Jamaican rum, fresh lime, orange curaçao, orgeat, and a touch of simple syrup. The IBA lists it as an official cocktail in the Contemporary Classics category.

Bartender’s Insight

Pro Tips

Verwenden Sie hochwertigen gereiften Rum

From Kai

  • Frischer Limettensaft ist kritisch

  • Orgeat-Sirup nicht überspringen

  • Das Gleichgewicht zwischen süß und sauer ist essentiell

  • Über zerstoßenem Eis servieren

At the Table

Perfect Pairings

Kalua-Schweinefleisch
Frische Ananas
Kokosnuss-Garnelen
Asiatische Küche
Tropische Früchte

Beyond the Classic

Variations

Klassischer Mai Tai

Originalrezept mit zwei Rumsorten und Orgeat-Sirup

Dunkler Mai Tai

Verwendet dunklere, gereiftere Rums für tiefere Komplexität

Mai Tai von Trader Vic's

Originalrezept des Hauses mit spezifischen Rumverhältnissen

Questions

Frequently Asked

Mai Tai Recipe — Authentic Rum Cocktail | Hero Cocktails | Hero Cocktails