Mai Tai cocktail with orange curaçao and almond syrup

The Mai Tai is a balanced rum drink with sharp lime, a hint of orange and the nutty depth of almond syrup.

March 27, 2026

Vanessa Papas 1 minute read

Mai Tai cocktail with orange curaçao and almond syrup — This cocktail suits slow afternoons or early evenings, when you want something with a bit of character that isn’t loaded with mixers or fruit juice.

The Mai Tai dates back to the 1940s and is most often linked to Trader Vic, who created it in California as a way to showcase good rum rather than hide it. Despite its tropical reputation, the original drink was never meant to be overly sweet or fruity. It was built around balance, with rum, lime and almond syrup doing most of the work.

Ingredients

40 ml white rum
20 ml dark rum
20 ml orange curaçao
15 ml almond syrup (orgeat)
25 ml fresh lime juice
Ice
Lime wheel, pineapple slice or mint, to garnish

Method

Add the white rum, dark rum, orange curaçao, orgeat and lime juice to a shaker filled with ice.
Shake well until the outside of the shaker feels cold.
Strain into a short glass filled with fresh ice.
Garnish with lime, pineapple or mint.
Serve immediately.

March 27, 2026

Vanessa Papas 1 minute read

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I'm an experienced writer, sub-editor, and media & public relations specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the media industry – across digital, print, TV, and radio. I earned a diploma in Journalism and Print Media from leading institution, Damelin College, with distinctions (Journalism And Print Media, Media Studies, Technical English And Communications, South African Studies, African & International Studies, Technology in Journalism, Journalism II & Practical Journalism). I also hold a qualification in Investigative Journalism from Print Media SA, First Aid Training from St John’s Ambulance, as well as certificates in Learning to Write Marketing Copy, Planning a Career in User Experience, and Writing a Compelling Blog Post.