It’s easy to get a mai tai on Maui, but it’s nearly impossible to get a good one without spending almost as much as you would on an entree (think Mama’s Fish House, Mai Tai Lounge, Pineapple Grill).
Many bars will actually serve you pineapple juice and a little rum and coca cola and call it a mai tai! Ick.
The perfect mai tai - all ingredients are well blended and mint is used as a garnish (bruise the leaves to release the oils).
The perfect mai tai - all ingredients are well blended and mint is used as a garnish (bruise the leaves to release the oils).
The Perfect Mai Tai on Maui?
James and I have been searching for a good mai tai recipe for three years, because we want to be able to welcome guests to our home with this most-tropical, most powerful cocktail.
(Want to make a party instantly happen? Serve mai tais – people drink them down like fruit juice and are “socially lubricated” within minutes. Everyone thinks you’re an incredible host. Confiscate car keys if they have more than two.)
A few months ago we had a mai tai so good that we fell off our chairs (not realizing you are already drunk after half a drink is the sign of a good mai tai). As we climbed back up off the floor, we knew we had hit paydirt. Or liquid gold?
We wheedled the bartender at this oceanfront restaurant into giving us the ingredient list (he wouldn’t divulge the recipe upon pain of losing his job, and to protect the innocent we won’t reveal where he works… although you could probably figure it out with a modicum of imagination).
After having a big meal (we didn’t intend to splurge at Lahaina Grill that night, but the mai tai was pretty powerful), and then walking around Lahaina for an hour or two extra to sober up, we finally got home.
The next day we went to two stores to get all the ingredients (Costco for the rum, and Hawaii Liquor Store in Kahului to get the syrups), and set out to duplicate the recipe.
Research and Development
It took two weeks of testing to get the recipe right. Every night I made another version – we couldn’t have more than one without getting crazy drunk all over again – and finally I got it right. We confirmed with a small group of friends, most of whom hadn’t had a mai tai in years because when you live on Maui, you don’t want to spend $20 for a good drink, and you don’t want to spend $2 for pineapple juice. The verdict was unanimous: “Best mai tai I ever had.”
If you google recipes for Mai Tais, you’ll find that everyone has an opinion on what a “real mai tai” contains. The first recipe was basically lime juice and rum, and there are some who say that is the only one (Trader Vic went to court to defend the recipe).
But our perfect mai tai – which we’re calling Molly’s Maui Mai Tai – has a perfectly balanced fruit:rum ratio that we love.
Use the best rum and ingredients you can – I’ve even gone so far as to make my own rock candy syrup (and want to make orgeat for our next big party).
I’m very specific about the order, and the mixings, because I spent years looking and weeks testing, and this is the best way to make it.
Molly’s Maui Mai Tai
You’ll need a cocktail shaker with a strainer, two glasses (high ball are fine), and straws
Prepare:
Shave enough ice to fill both high ball glasses. Put ice back in the freezer until just before you are ready to pour the drink so that the ice does not melt before it chills the cocktail.
Ingredients:
3 oz. light rum
3 oz. dark rum
1 oz. orange curacao (or grand marnier)
2 oz. pineapple juice (fresh is amazing if you can do it)
2 oz. guava juice
2 oz. fresh squeezed lime juice
1 oz. orgeat syrup (almond syrup with orange or rose, you can get it in the mixer section)
1 oz. simple syrup or rock candy syrup
crushed mint leaves to garnish (very important)
pineapple wedges for garnish
lime wedge to garnish
Put all liquid ingredients in cocktail shaker.
Fill two high ball glasses with shaved ice.
Shake cocktail shaker thoroughly, at least ten times.
Strain into two glasses.
Crush the mint leaves between your fingers and float on the top of the drink. It is important to really bruise the mint leaves, because they blend the flavors together. You should NOT skip the fresh mint – it is the key to the whole drink.
Garnish with pineapple and lime wedges.
Drink through a straw. Make sure you have a designated driver … or make at home so you don’t need one.
If you are having a party, these can be made ahead of time and stored in a pitcher, but make sure you stir well before serving.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you is great sounding recipe ! I am having a luau to celebrate 190 years ( Father and 2 friends) and I have been searching for the right recipe for a Mai Tai. Any other menu suggestions are welcome. Aloha for now
Hi Denise! So glad you liked the mai tai. Next time, try the mint – it takes it to a whole new level!
Dave and I have been on a quest for the best Mai Tai. The best we’ve had were at the Princeville hotel at the bar on the beach (2002) and at the beach bar at Mauna Kea Beach hotel on the Big Island (last week). We arrived in Maui Sat night and I had found your recipe. We decided to get the ingredients and forgo the high prices at the restaurants/bars here. The Mai Tai’s were a hit with our friends last night. We had to hunt for orgeat syrup. We found Torani Almond flavored syrup at the Time store in Kihie in the coffee section. I know Torani sells Orgeat but this syrup had the same makings: almond and orange flower water. We forgot to get the mint leaves but the drink was still the best. Thanks for the great recipe.
Hi Rick,
I live on Maui
What constitutes a “real” mai tai has been the subject of discussion for decades, and people have even gone to court over the matter. A mai tai does usually involve some sort of float on the top, but what that float is can vary wildly. In my recipe, it’s mint oil. Because there are so many different juices and syrups involved, the main part of the drink is often shaken before it’s poured over the ice. Also see the Mai Tai contest we judged.
I take it you have not been to Hawaii! Because they don’t shake a Mai Tai.
A good Hawiian Mai Tai is layed dark on top.
Aloha Che!
Yes, Tommy Bahama rum is delicious – and that’s what they use in every drink they make, so I’m sure it’s what they used in your mai tai. You can get Tommy Bahama spirits at some more upscale liquor stores on the mainland. I’m sure their website http://tommybahama.com will be helpful. Glad you enjoyed it!
On a side note, my dearest childhood friend, Jack Terry, was just named Tommy Bahama Rumologist! He lives in Key West, FL, so I’m hoping they’ll send him to the Wailea store during his year-long gig with them. If you’re on island, you’ll be sure to hear about it. We’ll definitely be stopping by to sample his creations.
Molly, I was on Maui and drove down to Wailea and stopped at the Tommy Bahama restaurant and had what I consider the best Mai Tai ever.
I wish I would have stopped and asked for the recipe. I am back on the mainland and have been trying to duplicate that recipe and haven’t been able to come close. If you are still on Maui please give it a try and please send me the recipe. Include what rums they actually use.
Hi Molly,
Than you soooo much for the MaiTai recipe – It took me quite awhile to find the almond syrup but today for my surprize I found it. I live in Michigan so Guava juice is nothing that I can easily find but I did. So I made the MaiTai according to your recipe – It was the best MaiTai ever – even better that the one I love at Hula Grill in Kaanapali – Many thanks – better than that it is just having this MaiTai in Maui.
Aloha !!!
We just returned from West Maui, and found that our favorite Mai Tai over the week was at Pacific’o. We liked the unblended colors, and the fact that it was served on the rocks, rather than over shave ice. Have you tried their version? On the other hand, we are heading out right now to see if we can find the ingredients for “Molly’s.” P.S. We loved having your book for our trip…you really helped us enjoy every meal.
We just got back from Maui last week and tried Mai Tais at both Lahaina Grill and Pineapple Grill. Lahaina Grill’s version was best on our trip, so thank you! What I am searching for is the Bloody Mary recipe from Pineapple Grill. It’s their secret, but secret’s can be found out, I’m hoping!
Molly,
Your Mai Tai recipe is great. I really liked it. BUT…I also want you to know about a recipe that is not on the menu at Haliimaile General Store and concocted by Wendy. She calls it the “Tai Mai”, and I have to say it is the most outstanding liquid I have ever put in my mouth. You have to ask for it, and she only works during the day.
Mahalo
Jim
I have to say, the best one I have ever had was at the Pineapple Grill. Now I will be trying out your recipe tonight.