Chill a rocks glass by filling it with ice and setting aside while you build the drink. Prepare about 1 cup of crushed ice (or crush standard ice cubes in a cloth or with a mallet).

Build and shake

Discard ice from the chilled glass. In a cocktail shaker, add 0.75 oz fresh lime juice, 0.5 oz orgeat, 0.5 oz orange curaçao, 0.25 oz simple syrup, and 1 oz aged rum. Fill the shaker with ice (large cubes are fine) and shake vigorously for 10–12 seconds until well chilled.

Assemble the Mai Tai

Strain the shaken mixture into the prepared rocks glass packed with crushed ice, leaving enough room at the top for the float.

Carefully float 0.5 oz dark rum on top by pouring it gently over the back of a spoon so it rests on the ice, creating the classic dark-rum float.

Garnish & finish

Garnish with a lime wheel and a sprig of fresh mint. Clap the mint between your palms once and tuck it into the drink to release aromatics. If desired, grate a small pinch of fresh nutmeg over the mint for extra aroma.

Serve with a short straw or swizzle stick. Sip and enjoy — the Mai Tai should balance bright lime, almond-orgeat sweetness, citrus curaçao and the rum's warmth.