Happy Mai Tai Day!

Once again,it’s time for Tiki’s favorite holiday,MAI TAI DAY! The day when we salute the birth of the magic elixir created by Victor Bergeron in 1944. My first post was on the classic Mai Tai,so for today I’ve decided to mix a pair of modern Mai Tai riffs I think you’ll really like. Enjoy!

Mix #217 Blue Hawai-Tai

1oz Wray & Nephew Overproof rum
1/2oz Plantation 3 Stars rum
1/2oz blue curacao
1oz lemon juice
1/2oz orgeat
1/2oz simple syrup

Shake with ice and pour into snifter glass.

From Mai Tai expert Kevin Crossman comes a delicious spin on the classic recipe. While I thought the lemon would sour it,it’s in fact a touch sweet with some super funk on the end. And the W&N gives it some real kick. The pretty blue color in the snifter also makes for an eye-pleasing experience. Another winning Mai Tai from the master.

Mix #218 S.O.S. Mai Tai

1.5oz rhum agricole blanc
1/2oz pot still Jamaican rum
3/4oz lime juice
3/4oz orgeat
1/2oz orange curacao

Shake with ice and pour into collins glass. If you’re fancy,add a spent lime shell with flaming 151.

Created by bartender Ean Bancroft at the S.O.S. bar in Georgia,this is another good sweet/funky riff. Funkier than the Blue Hawai-Tai,but not as strong,if you’re looking to have more than one,I’d go with this. Either way,these are both good spins on the classic recipe.

So celebrate the day with an original Mai Tai or a riff. Maita’i roa ae!