Blackwell Rum Makes The Perfect Mai Tai Cocktail
Arguably one of the most popular rum-based, Tiki-inspired cocktails, the Mai Tai is a familiar name to anyone who’s ever stepped foot into a bar – and maybe even to those who haven’t. Much like Blackwell Rum, the Mai Tai has a rich history. However, there are some discrepancies in the famous cocktail’s origins.
Supposedly, the Mai Tai was created by Victor, also eventually known as Trader Vic. He owned a Tiki-themed restaurant in California that featured a wide array of rum-based cocktails. In the 1940s, he created the Mai Tai. Trader Vic used an aged rum, which he believed shouldn’t be overtaken by other strong, fruity flavors. In other words, the idea was to let the flavorful rum speak for itself, with a bit of flavor to accentuate its essence. The Mai Tai became an almost instantaneous hit, even causing a rum shortage in the 40s and 50s due to the increased demand.
Today, it’s still a favorite rum cocktail. Sea Wolf has a large list of cocktails that use Blackwell Rum as their base. The Mai Tai makes the list of cocktails that this restaurant uses in order to let their guests escape the city and feel as though they have their toes wiggling in the sand with each savory sip.
Melissa, Sea Wolf Waterfront’s manager, explains to us how they make this classic cocktail.
Here’s how to make a Mai Tai:
Ingredients:
1 oz Blackwell Rum
1 oz Pineapple
¼ oz Lime
½ oz Orange Juice
1 oz White Rum
⅕ oz Aged Rum
Place all the ingredients into a shaker filled with ice. Shake it up and serve on the rocks. Like many Tiki drinks, the glass is meant to be inventive with bags of personality! So, choose your favorite “islandy” glass from which to enjoy your Mai Tai. You can garnish with a pineapple slice and cherry to add a final tropical touch.
There are many ways to make a Mai Tai. However, the base rum of the cocktail is where you’ll note the true difference in quality. Blackwell Rum provides the rich flavors of an aged Jamaican dark rum which will take your Mai Tai to the next level.
Remember that the origin of the Mai Tai comes from letting the island essence of a good rum shine through. The drink shouldn’t be oversaturated with sweet, fruity flavors. Just a hint of each is enough to elevate the rum's flavor and take you straight to the sand, sea, and sun.
Give it a try!
