Post #19460 by thejab on Tue, Jan 14, 2003 12:03 PM

The Polynesian Popster wrote:
"You can still order a traditional Mai Tai made the original way - you just have to specify this when you order it."

Not exactly. When you order an "original" at Trader Vic's they don't use the mix. However, they still use the cheap Trader Vic's brand rums (or Whaler's). The original recipe used 17-year old Wray and Nephew rum from Jamaica. Since that isn't available anymore in the U.S. the newest "original" recipe is made with 1 oz. Martinique rum (Rhum St. James is the most available) and 1 oz. aged Jamaican rum (Appleton Estate Extra or similar).

I would agree with Doctor Z that nothing beats a Mai Tai made at home from the original recipe. I have compared all 3 of the Mai Tais at Trader Vic's. The one made from a mix, the "Original", and the "San Francisco Style" made with a float of Whaler's (they used to use Myers' until the last few years). I really don't taste much of a difference. They are all pretty good as they are made with fresh lime and no pineapple juice or grenadine!

Speaking of Whaler's rum, I hate it! It's cheap rum made in the U.S. and darkened with caramel coloring. It tastes awful compared to Myers' so I can't understand why anyone would use it (especially Trader Vic's) except because it's cheap. Besides, Myers' isn't very expensive.