Description

Look, we all know that one friend who comes back from every beach vacation talking about “the most incredible Mai Tai” they had. Well, Melissa cracked the code, and now you can make that same vacation-in-a-glass magic right in your own kitchen. This isn’t some watered-down, artificial-tasting nonsense – this is the real deal with multiple rums, fresh citrus, and that perfect balance of sweet and tangy that makes you close your eyes and pretend you’re watching a sunset over the ocean. Even if you’re just sitting on your couch in your pajamas on a Tuesday.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Rum Situation (The Heart and Soul):

2 oz light rum (like Bacardi or Cruzan)
1 oz dark rum (Mount Gay or Myers’s work great)
1/2 oz orange curaçao (Cointreau if you’re feeling fancy)

For the Citrus Magic:

1 oz fresh lime juice (seriously, don’t use that bottled stuff)
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp orange juice (fresh squeezed preferred)

For the Sweet Life:

1/2 oz orgeat syrup (almond syrup – find it in the cocktail section)
1/2 oz simple syrup (or make your own with equal parts sugar and water)

For the Pretty Factor:

Fresh orange slices
Maraschino cherries (the good ones, not the neon ones)
Crushed ice (lots of it)
Mint sprigs for garnish

For Pitcher Version (Serves 6-8):

Multiply everything by 6
Add 2 cups of pineapple juice for extra tropical vibes

Instructions

Step 1: Get Your Ice Game Right

Fill your glass (or pitcher) with crushed ice. If you don’t have crushed ice, put regular ice in a bag and beat it with a rolling pin. It’s therapeutic, trust me.

Step 2: The Rum Dance

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine both rums and the orange curaçao. This is where the magic starts happening.

Step 3: Citrus City

Add all your fresh juices. Seriously, fresh makes ALL the difference. Your taste buds will thank you later.

Step 4: Sweet Dreams

Pour in both syrups. The orgeat is what gives it that distinctive almond flavor that makes people go “what IS that delicious taste?”

Step 5: Shake It Like You Mean It

Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds. You want everything properly mixed and chilled.

Step 6: The Big Pour

Strain over your ice-filled glass. If making a pitcher, just multiply everything and stir well.

Step 7: Make It Pretty

Garnish with orange slices, a cherry, and a sprig of mint. Add colorful straws because life’s too short for boring drinks.

Notes

Serve these with some coconut shrimp, poke bowls, or honestly just a bag of those coconut cookies from Trader Joe’s. Put on some reggae or Hawaiian music and suddenly your living room becomes a tiki bar.

For parties, make the pitcher version and set up a little garnish station so people can customize their drinks. Everyone loves playing bartender.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Nutrition

Calories: ~280 kcal