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Mai Tai in a rocks glass with mint sprig and spent lime shell (AI-generated image)
AI-generated image
tropicalcitrusstrong

Mai Tai

The tiki-era icon: two rums, orange curaçao, lime and almond orgeat. Nutty, citrusy and deeper than its beach reputation suggests.

Time
5 min
Difficulty
Medium
Method
Shaken
Glass
Rocks glass

Ingredients

Servings

Garnish: Mint sprig (1 sprig), Spent lime shell (1)

How to make it

  1. 1

    Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.

  2. 2

    Shake well.

  3. 3

    Strain into a rocks glass filled with crushed ice.

Bar gear

Equipment for this drink

Tools you'll need

  • Cocktail shakerChills, mixes and dilutes shaken drinks in about 12 seconds. A two-piece Boston shaker is the bartender standard.
  • JiggerA double-sided measure so every drink comes out the same. Look for one marked in ½ and ¼ oz.
  • Hawthorne strainerThe spring-edged strainer that holds back ice when you pour from a shaker.
  • Citrus pressSqueezes fresh lemon and lime fast — fresh juice is the biggest upgrade you can make.
  • Ice bag & malletTurns regular cubes into crushed ice for juleps, smashes and tiki-style drinks.

Recommended glassware

  • Rocks glassShort and sturdy — for spirit-forward drinks and sours over ice.

No shaker? A clean jar with a tight lid works. Build your home bar →

Recipe source: IBA Official Cocktail specification. Quantities and basic method are factual. Description and steps are original Mixistry copy. Last updated 2026-10-11.

Contains alcohol. For adults of legal drinking age — please enjoy responsibly.

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