The History of the Mai Tai

The Mai Tai started as a rum cocktail so popular it supposedly depleted world rum supplies in the 1940s and '50s. In 1944,  the cocktail was invented by Victor J. Bergeron — better known as Trader Vic.  According to legend, after shaking the concoction with ice and presenting the cocktail to some of his visiting Tahitian friends, they ended up liking it so much one of them exclaimed, "Maita’i roa a’e," which translates to "out of this world! The best!" So the now famous cocktail was named "Mai Tai," for "the best."

Mai Tai Recipe

• 3/4 oz. fresh lime juice
• 1/2 oz. orange curaçao (Pierre Ferrand preferred)
• 1/4 oz. orgeat (almond syrup)
• 1/4 oz. simple syrup (with a 2:1 ratio of water to sugar) 
• 2 oz. blended rum

Combine all ingredients with 12 oz. of crushed ice and some cubes in a shaker. Shake until chilled and pour — ice and all — into a double old fashioned glass.

Garnish with a lime and mint sprig. Or even a pineapple slice, cherry and a tropical flower!