Celebrate Life With a Mai Tai – Why Not?

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Aloha – Yvonne Ahearn here, with a Mai Tai Recipe. Since the news in real estate has been a little heavy lately, with all this talk of COVID-19, I thought I would lighten things up today. Maybe, bring a little sunshine and taste of Hawaii into your life in lockdown. I’m sure we could all use a vacation, even if only in our minds. So whether you are here in Hawaii or still on the mainland, we are going to talk Mai Tai today.

History of the Mai Tai

I think everyone knows what a Mai Tai cocktail is. But do you know what Mai Tai means? Supposedly, the name Mai Tai comes from the Tahitian phrase: ‘Maita’i roa ae!’, which means “Very Good.” And most of them are pretty good, if made correctly.

So a Mai Tai is pretty much the official drink of Hawaii or at least of a tropical vacation, like you would have here. Mai Tais are great to toast a celebration or just to relax when it’s 5 o’clock somewhere.

Interestingly, the Mai Tai was not invented in Hawaii but was supposedly invented in 1944, at Trader Vic’s, in California. Actually, there is some dispute over whether it was Trader Vic (Vic Bergeron of Oakland) or Don the Beachcomber (of Los Angeles) that invented the Mai Tai, but I won’t go there right now.

And did you know that the Mai Tai has its own day? Well, there’s a dispute there too. Some say National Mai Tai Day is June 30, and some say it’s August 30. But since we are just in April now, if you choose to celebrate Mai Tais either day, you have plenty of time to perfect your own recipe.

I’ve got two recipes for a good Mai Tai cocktail. One is more traditional, and one is more modern and fruity. We’ll try them both and see which we like better.

Traditional Mai Tai Recipe

The Traditional Mai Tai Recipe from Trader Vic’s calls for:

  • 2 oz. of 17-year-old Wray and Nephew Rum ($55,000 for a liter?) OR substitute 1 oz. Dark Rum 1 oz. Light Rum

  • The juice of one fresh lime

  • ½ oz. of Orange Curacao (OR substitute, Grand Marnier, which is a brandy based orange liqueur)

  • ¼ oz. simple syrup

  • ½ oz. Orgeat syrup

Strain over ice and garnish with a sprig of mint

Modern Mai Tai Recipe

The Modern Mai Tai Recipe calls for:

  • ¾ oz. light rum

  • ½ oz. Amaretto

  • ½ oz. Triple Sec

  • 3 oz. orange juice

  • 3 oz. pineapple Juice

Shake and pour over ice. Float ¾ oz. dark Rum on top. Add splash of Grenadine and garnish with a Pineapple

For a Hawaiian Mai Tai, I recommend that you use only local Hawaiian rums, such as Koloafrom Kauai, or Old Lahaina from Maui. And use local Hawaiian juices, such as Govinda’s Juices. They have pineapple and orange, as well as one called Mai Tai, which is a blend of several fruits. If you want to reduce the sugar, you can leave out the simple syrup and grenadine. In the taste test conducted by my husband, Neil, and housemate, Sue, the Trader Vic-style recipe won!

Let me know what you think and which one you like best! ~ Aloha

Connect With Yvonne Jaramillo Ahearn, Esq. (B)

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