Mai Tai
Fresh lime sharpens the pineapple in Betty's tall, resort-style Mai Tai. It's especially refreshing over crushed ice, with a stronger rum float only if desired.
Recipe link
Prep time5 min
Cook time0 min
Total time5 min
- Course
- Beverages
- Cuisine
- Granny's Recipes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Est. calories / serving
- 320
Ingredients
Mai Tai Cocktail
- 1 ½ oz white rum
- 1 oz dark rum
- 1 oz orange curaçao
- 4 oz unsweetened pineapple juice
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- Ice — for shaking and serving
Float
- ½ oz 151-proof rum (optional) — optional
Garnishes
- pineapple (optional) — wedge, optional
- mint (optional) — sprig, optional
- lime (optional) — wheel, optional
- cocktail cherry (optional) — optional
- orange (optional) — halved, sliced thin, optional
Instructions
- Fill the Shaker: Add white rum, dark rum, orange curaçao, pineapple juice, lime juice, and enough ice to fill a cocktail shaker about halfway.1½ oz white rum, 1 oz dark rum, 1 oz orange curaçao, 4 oz unsweetened pineapple juice, 1 oz fresh lime juice
- Shake the Cocktail: Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds, until the outside feels very cold and becomes lightly frosted.
- Pour Over Ice: Fill a tall cocktail glass with crushed or pebble ice, then strain the cocktail over the top.
- Add the Float: If using, slowly pour the 151-proof rum over the back of a bar spoon so it forms a thin layer across the surface.½ oz 151-proof rum
- Garnish and Serve: Add one or two garnishes, such as a pineapple wedge, lime wheel, mint sprig, cocktail cherry, or thin orange slice, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Pineapple Juice: Use chilled, unsweetened 100% pineapple juice so the sweetness remains balanced with the orange curaçao.
- Lime Juice: Fresh lime juice gives the cocktail a much brighter flavor than bottled juice.
- Rum: A flavorful dark rum adds deeper molasses and spice notes while the white rum keeps the drink clean and refreshing.
- Ice: Use regular ice cubes for shaking and crushed or pebble ice for serving. Fresh serving ice keeps the drink colder without carrying over broken-down shaker ice.
- 151 Float: The optional ½-ounce float creates a stronger aromatic finish without overwhelming the base cocktail. Omit it for a lighter drink, and never ignite the rum.
- Make Ahead: Combine the white rum, dark rum, orange curaçao, pineapple juice, and lime juice up to 8 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate without ice, then shake with ice immediately before serving.
- Serving Suggestions: Pair with Guacamole, Tex-Mex Dip, or Summer Lime Chicken Breasts.
Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)
Yield
1 tall cocktail — Serving size: 1 cocktail
- Calories
- 320
- Carbohydrates
- 26.5 g
- Protein
- 0.5 g
- Fat
- 0.2 g
- Saturated Fat
- 0 g
- Cholesterol
- 0 mg
- Sodium
- 0 mg
- Fiber
- 0.3 g
- Total Sugars
- 21 g
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Jigger or measuring glass
- Cocktail strainer (Use only when the shaker does not have a built-in strainer.)
- Tall cocktail glass (About 14 ounces.)
- Bar spoon (Optional; used only for the rum float.)