The Mai Tai is an American cocktail invented in Oakland and popularised on the islands of Hawaii. The cocktail is the quintessential tiki cocktail embodying all the characteristics of the Polynesian subculture.

Invented by Victor J. Bergeron to be served at his restaurant Trader Vics in 1944 the popularity of the would surge when Bergeron introduced his on the menu at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel and Moana Hotel in Hawaii.

The drinks name is derived from the Tahitian word maitaʻi which means good or excellent. The   Mai Tai would become a mainstay at tiki bars during their peak in the 50s and 60s.

Ingredients

• 30ml dark rum
• 30ml white rum
• 15ml orange curaçao
• 15ml orgeat syrup
• 30ml lime juice
• 7.5ml simple syrup
• 1 Pineapple
• Maraschino Cherries

Preparation

1. Add both rums, the curaçao, orgeat syrup, lime juice and simple syrup to cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake for 10 seconds.
3. Strain into a collins glass filled with ice.
4. Garnish with a pineapple wedge, pineapple leaves and maraschino cherry.