Trader Vic’s Mai Tai Cocktail

Trader Vic’s Mai Tai tastes like a vacation in a cup! Learn how to make this simple cocktail and bring a little tiki feel to the everyday.

If you’re a cocktail fan and you’ve never had a true Trader Vic’s Mai Tai, you’ve got to give it a try.

When we hear “Mai Tai,” it immediately conjurs up possibly cheesy images of sugary vacation drinks at a tropical-themed hotel bar.

But the real Trader Vic’s Mai Tai is a balanced, bright cocktail that’s not too sweet and just the perfect blend of flavors.

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The Fascinating History of Trader Vic’s Mai Tai

Victor “Trader Vic” Bergeron was a San Francisco, CA native who became legendary through his many restaurants and bars in the Bay Area.

Trader Vic championed Tiki culture in his menus and cocktails, including popularizing massive four-pint cocktails (the Scorpion!) meant to be shared with a group.

Legend has it that one evening in 1944, Vic gave two friends from Tahiti a sample of a new cocktail he’d been working on. After a sip, one of the friends exclaimed, “mai tai-roa aé”, which in Tahitian means ‘out of this world – the best!’

So Vic ran with it and called the cocktail a Mai Tai.

There have been reports that others may have invented the Mai Tai, but as Vic says in his Bartender’s Guide, “Anybody who says I didn’t create this drink is a dirty stinker.”

These days, there are many variations on the original classic Mai Tai cocktail.

What is a Tiki Cocktail?

The Mai Tai is one of the most famous Tiki drinks in the world.

But what makes a Tiki drink?

A Tiki drink is most often characterized by its rum base, fruity or exotic-flavored mixers, and lush garnishes.

Not all Tiki drinks are served in an actual Tiki mug, although it’s fun to drink out of one! The Mai Tai is often served in a double rocks glass.

But if you have a Tiki mug, go for it!

More Rum Cocktails

Not every rum-based cocktail is a Tiki drink! We’ve got some delicious rum cocktails to try while you’re exploring.

• Old Cuban Cocktail Recipe
• Dark and Stormy Cocktail
• Mojito Mocktail and Classic Mojito

Ingredients You’ll Need

Rum. While the original recipe calls for Havana Club 7 year old rum, I always recommend using what you have. Try another dark rum if you can’t get your hands on Havana Club 7.

Orange Curacao. If you don’t specifically have orange curacao, try substituting Triple Sec.

Lime Juice. Squeeze it fresh for the best flavor!

Orgeat Sugar Syrup. Orgeat is an almond-based syrup, often with a hint of orange for flavor.

Simple Syrup. You can make your own if you don’t have any! Often simple syrup is made with a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water. But Trader Vic’s recipe calls for “rock candy syrup,” which has a 2:1 ratio (so saturated that you can make rock candy with it).

How to Make Trader Vic’s Mai Tai Cocktail

• 2 oz dark rum
• 1/2 oz orange curacao
• 3/4 oz lime juice
• 1/3 oz orgeat sugar syrup
• 1/4 oz simple syrup

Fill a shaker with ice. Add all ingredients to the shaker and shake vigorously until chilled. Strain over crushed ice into a rocks glass or Tiki mug. Garnish with mint, lime, a pineapple spear, a cherry, and anything else you like!

When to Serve

Lots of folks particularly like Tiki drinks in the summertime but I like them year round! I could even envision having a Mai Tai with a weekend brunch, owing to the fruity flavor profile.

Mai Tais are also great to whip up in a large batch for a party. Cheers! xoxo