Add a fruity, tropical twist to your cocktails with this easy Hawaiian Mai Tai recipe. This cool, refreshing Tiki drink is perfect on hot summer days when you've been working, playing or vacationing outside.
If you're having a pool party or backyard BBQ, this recipe makes an entire batch that you can double or triple and serve in a pitcher for your guests. I love serving this cocktail with my grilled mango.
If you have the ingredients on hand, this drink takes only a few minutes to combine in a pitcher for your guests.
I also made another tiki drink called the Fog Cutter drink that you might want to give a try.
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Easy Hawaiian Mai Tai Ingredients
- aged rum - Aged rum is paired with orange liqueur (an alcoholic drink flavored with orange peels) in a Mai Tai. The result gives your drink a bright kick of citrus.
- orange liqueur - You can choose from Triple Sec, Cointreau (the most common) or Grand Marnier. Grand Marnier is a bit heavier than Cointreau and more expensive. Triple sec has a slightly lower alcohol content and price.
- lime juice - Freshly squeezed.
- orgeat syrup - You can either buy orgeat online or make homemade orgeat, which gives a slight nutty, floral flavor to enhance the drink.
- pineapple juice - 100% with no sugar added.
- mango juice - Also 100% juice with no sugar added.
- grenadine syrup - This version of Mai Tai adds mango and pineapple juices for a fruitier flavor. The juices plus the grenadine add more sweetness to this typically strong/tart drink.
- garnishes - Fresh mint and mango slices.
*Check recipe card for ingredient amounts.
Choosing an Aged Rum
Credit: Photo by depositphotos.com
This Tiki drink recipe uses aged rum, which matures in oak barrels for years until it's ready to be bottled, giving it more character. Each type of oak contributes different flavors that can make your rum sweet, nutty or smoky.
As for the best rum to use for this Mai Tai, you can explore with dark rums that have been aged for 4, 8 or even 12 plus years. You can try a commercial rum, such as Appleton Estate (aged for 12 years) or Captain Morgan (aged for 2 years), or your favorite family-owned brand.
How to Make it
Step 1. Combine ingredients. Add the aged rum, orange liqueur, lime juice, orgeat syrup, pineapple juice and mango juice to a small pitcher. Stir until combined.
Step 2. Pour & Serve. Fill 4 cocktail glasses with ice (about ½ way up the glass). Pour the mixture into each glass. Add 1 teaspoon of grenadine into each glass. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs and mango slices. Serve!
Joss' Tips
- An old-fashioned glass works great for this drink but you can use any cocktail glass you have on hand.
- Use clear glasses so that your guests can admire the festive colors.
- If you're wondering how much ice to fill each glass with, I recommend filling them about halfway with crushed ice or ice cubes to gradually dilute and chill the drink without making it too watery.
- If you don't have a fresh mango on hand, you can garnish your drinks with cherries or pineapple.
Recipe FAQs
It is indeed popular in Hawaii, however, it apparently originated in California.
It apparently comes from maitaʻi, the Tahitian word for "good" or "excellence".
Aged rum is the main alcohol in a Mai Tai, accompanied by orange liqueur.
Most Mai Tai drinks are fairly strong, but the amount can vary with each recipe. The fruitier versions are a bit lighter.
This Hawaiian Mai Tai is sweeter than a regular Mai Tai with its addition of fruit juices.
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📋Recipe
Easy Hawaiian Mai Tai Recipe
Ingredients
For the Drink
- ½ cup aged rum
- ¼ cup orange liqueur - Cointreau, Triple Sec or Grand Marnier
- 3 tablespoons lime juice - freshly squeezed
- ¼ cup orgeat syrup
- 1 cup pineapple juice - no sugar added
- 1 cup mango juice - no sugar added
- crushed ice - or ice cubes
- 4 teaspoons grenadine syrup - 1 teaspoon per glass
Garnishes
- fresh mint sprigs
- mango slices
Instructions
- Add the aged rum, orange liqueur, lime juice, orgeat syrup, pineapple juice and mango juice to a small pitcher. Stir until combined.
- Fill 4 cocktail glasses with ice (about ½ way up the glass). Pour the mixture into each glass. Add 1 teaspoon of grenadine into each glass.
- Garnish with fresh mint sprigs and mango slices. Serve!
Notes
- An old-fashioned glass works great for this drink but you can use any cocktail glass you have on hand.
- Grand Marnier is a bit heavier than Cointreau and more expensive. Triple sec has a slightly lower alcohol content and price.
- As for the best rum to use for this Mai Tai, you can explore with dark rums that have been aged for 4, 8 or even 12 plus years. You can try a commercial rum, such as Appleton Estate (aged for 12 years) or Captain Morgan (aged for 2 years), or your favorite family-owned brand.
- If you're wondering how much ice to fill each glass with, I recommend filling them about halfway with crushed ice or ice cubes to gradually dilute and chill the drink without making it too watery.
- If you don't have a fresh mango on hand, you can garnish your drinks with cherries or pineapple.
Nutrition
Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.
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