Mai Tai Recipe

Prepare glass

Fill a double old-fashioned glass (or rocks glass) with crushed ice and set aside to chill while you mix the cocktail.

Combine ingredients

In a cocktail shaker, add 1.5 oz silver rum, 0.5 oz dark rum, 0.75 oz fresh lime juice, 0.5 oz orgeat, 0.5 oz orange curaçao, and 0.25 oz simple syrup (optional). Add a handful of ice (several large cubes) to the shaker.

Shake

Secure the shaker lid and shake vigorously for about 10–15 seconds until well chilled (exterior of shaker becomes cold and slightly frosted).

Strain over ice

Discard the ice that was chilling the glass. Fine-strain or double-strain the cocktail from the shaker into the prepared glass filled with fresh crushed ice, leaving the drink level slightly below the rim.

Float dark rum

Carefully pour 0.25 oz dark rum over the back of a bar spoon so it floats on top of the crushed-ice cocktail, creating a darker layer and added aroma.

Garnish the drink with a lime wheel or wedge, tuck a sprig of fresh mint into the ice (give the mint a gentle clap between your palms first to release aromatics), and add a maraschino cherry if desired.

Serve immediately with a short straw. Before drinking, you can stir lightly to incorporate the float, or sip so you get notes of dark rum on top.