Specialty Cocktail: Primary Trust

A timeless tiki classic born in 1940s California, the Mai Tai is a vibrant, citrus-forward cocktail that perfectly balances the boldness of aged rum with the smooth sweetness of orgeat and orange curaçao. Fresh lime juice brings a zesty brightness, while the nutty almond notes and tropical aroma make each sip feel like a breeze off a faraway beach. Despite its name meaning “out of this world” in Tahitian (“Maita’i roa ae!”), this drink keeps things grounded in bold, boozy simplicity —umbrellas are a necessity.

Ingredients

• 1 oz aged Jamaican rum
• 1 oz Martinique rum (Rhum Agricole or another dry, funky rum)
• ¾ oz fresh lime juice
• ½ oz orange curaçao
• ¼ oz orgeat syrup (almond syrup)
• ¼ oz simple syrup

Optional garnish

• Mint sprig
• Spent lime shell
• Cherry or pineapple wedge (for flair)

Instructions

• Add all ingredients (except Jamaican rum) into a shaker with ice.
• Shake well for 10–15 seconds.
• Strain into a double old-fashioned glass filled with crushed ice.
• Top with orange or pineapple juice (optional).
• Float aged Jamaican rum.
• Garnish with the mint sprig and the spent lime shell (it looks like a little island!).
• Don’t forget to add an umbrella!