If you’re like me, it’s frustrating to make cocktails one at a time. This Mai Tai recipe for a crowd is perfect for the summer months – especially if you’re planning a pool party or day on the beach.
Every time we go to Hawaii, we are on the hunt for the best Mai Tai recipe for a party at home. These fruity rum cocktails are so refreshing — perfect for sipping poolside as the palm trees sway in the tropical breeze.
Our Mai Tai tasting tours have taken us to some of the most popular Hawaiian restaurants, including Monkeypod Kitchen, Tommy Bahama, Duke’s Canoe Club and Roy’s. Each restaurant makes their Mai Tais slightly differently.
For example, Aulani Resort adds a passionfruit-mango foam to the top of its Mai Tai cocktail. Monkeypod Kitchen garnishes theirs with a honey liliko‘i foam.
Mai Tai Ingredients
As a rule, every Mai Tai needs light rum, dark rum, orgeat syrup, orange Curaçao and fresh lime juice. From there, mixologists often switch up their recipes to add their signature touch.
It’s always fun to garnish with a wedge of pineapple, lime (and a fresh orchid if you can find some)!
What is a Mai Tai?
The history of this tropical treat dates back to 1944 and the Trader Vic Mai Tai. A man named Victor J. Bergeron (nicknamed Trader Vic) created the drink using an aged J. Wray and Nephew Jamaican rum.
The Mai Tai original recipe included the juice of 1 lime mixed with 2 ounces of aged J. Wray & Nephew Jamaican rum, ½ ounce French Garnier orgeat, ½ ounce orange curaçao, and ¼ ounce rock candy syrup. Shake with ice and garnish with a sprig of mint.
Legend has it that Trader Vic’s Tahitian friends who first sampled it raved, “Maita’i roa a’e,” which means “Very Good!” The name stuck.
To make this easy Mai Tai recipe for a crowd, you’ll need a large pitcher which holds about 50-60 ounces. Add everything to the pitcher except the dark rum, which is reserved for the float after you pour the mixture into each ice-filled glass. Follow with a garnish of pineapple moons, lime wedges and a fresh orchid (if possible).
These are sure to cool you off as we head into the summer months!
Most ingredients can be found at your local liquor store, or you can order some ingredients (such as orgeat syrup) online.
If you’re making a summer party of it, special order a Tiki-style Mai Tai glass and set up your own Mai Tai bar in the backyard so guests can prepare the drinks themselves! I hope you find that this is your best Mai Tai recipe for a crowd as well!
You May Also Like These Recipes
Stay in Touch!
Never miss a new cooking video by subscribing here. Don’t forget to hit that notification bell! You can also find me on Facebook and Instagram!
May I recommend?
THE BEST Mai Tai for a Crowd
Ingredients
- 4 ounces Lime Juice
- 16 ounces Pineapple Juice
- 4 ounces Orgeat Syrup
- 8 ounces Old Lahaina Silver Rum
- 4 ounces Orange Curaçao
- 8 ounces Myer’s Dark Rum
Garnish
- 8 Pineapple half-moons
- 8 lime wedges
- 8 Orchid flowers optional
Instructions
- In a pitcher, mix together the juices, silver rum, Orange Curaçao and Orgeat syrup. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Strain into 8 glasses filled with fresh ice.
- Add a 1 oz. float of Myer’s Original Dark Rum to each glass.
- Garnish with a thin pineapple half-moon and orchid flower.
