Trader Sam's HippopotoMai-Tai is nearly identical to the original Mai Tai tiki drink invented at Trader Vic's. This playful version is served up with a side of theatrics at Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar (Disneyland), Trader Sam's Grog Grotto and Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace (Walt Disney World). Make it yourself with this easy recipe!
1ouncedark rum(preferably Coruba Dark Rum or Plantation Original Dark Rum)
1ouncelight rum(preferably Bacardi Superior)
½ounceorange curaçao(preferably Bols)
½ounceagave nectar
½ounceorgeat almond syrup
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker over ice. Shake and strain into a glass filled with crushed ice.
If desired, garnish with a skewered orange slice and maraschino cherry, along with a sprig of mint.
Notes
Be generous with the amount of ice you use. You want the ice to help dilute the alcohol and syrups and yield a classic balance of flavors.
The preferred brands in the ingredient list are based on the brands used at Trader Sam's at Disneyland and Walt Disney World (they previously used Coruba but later changed to Plantation Superior Dark Rum on their menu). If you're unable to acquire these specific brands, just use your favorites or whatever is available at your liquor store.
If you absolutely aren't able to find orange curaçao do not substitute it with blue curaçao. You can use triple sec, which is another orange-flavored liquor although they are not the same. Curaçao is often pot-distilled with brandy, cognac, or sugar cane spirit. It has a sweeter quality and a darker color. An example of a high end orange curaçao you can use if your budget allows is Grand Marnier. Triple sec is usually column-distilled with neutral grain spirit. It has a drier quality and is clear in color. An example of a high end triple sec you can use if your budget allows is Cointreau.
This is a fairly sweet (but tasty) rendition of a mai tai. For a less sweet version that is closer to the classic version cut down both the agave nectar and orgeat syrup to ¼ ounce each.