The Mai Tai

The Mai Tai cocktail is a Polynesian-inspired cocktail that was created in the early 1940s by Victor Bergeron, better known as Trader Vic. Bergeron owned a bar in Oakland, California, called Trader Vic's, which became famous for its exotic drinks and tiki decor. The Mai Tai was created during a time when Americans were becoming increasingly interested in exotic, tropical flavors and cultures, and it quickly became a popular drink among Hollywood celebrities and other jet-setters.

The original Mai Tai recipe is said to have been created in 1944, and it was made with Jamaican rum, lime juice, orange curacao, and orgeat syrup, a sweet syrup made from almonds, sugar, and rose water. Bergeron claimed that he named the drink "Mai Tai" after a friend from Tahiti who exclaimed "Mai Tai-roa ae!" after trying the cocktail, which roughly translates to "out of this world!"

Over the years, the Mai Tai has undergone many variations and adaptations, some of which have strayed far from the original recipe. Many bartenders have added additional ingredients, such as pineapple juice or grenadine, which are not traditionally found in the classic Mai Tai recipe. However, purists argue that the classic Mai Tai recipe is the only true Mai Tai, and that any variations that deviate from the original recipe are not authentic.

Here is a recipe for a classic Mai Tai with specs in ml:

Ingredients:

• 60 ml aged rum (Jamaican or Martinique)

• 15 ml fresh lime juice

• 15 ml orange curacao

• 10 ml orgeat syrup

• 10 ml simple syrup

• Mint sprig, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Combine the rum, lime juice, orange curacao, orgeat syrup, and simple syrup in a shaker filled with ice.

2. Shake vigorously until well-chilled.

3. Strain the cocktail into a rocks glass filled with crushed ice.

4. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

Note: You can adjust the amount of simple syrup to your preferred level of sweetness. Some recipes also call for a float of dark rum on top of the drink, but this is not part of the classic recipe. Also, feel free to experiment with different rums to find your preferred flavor profile.