Post #252922 by Chip and Andy on Thu, Sep 7, 2006 2:44 PM

I'm with Pablus on the first drink will have to be mixed tonight for a side-by-side comparison....

If I understand your original question, I think you are leaning toward the 'generality' in the name Mai-Tai. It does appear that the name of the cocktail is/has become 'branded' and can now be considered in the ranks of Coke, Kleenex, Q-tip, etc...... at least conceptually.

I, personally, don't like the name of a cocktail to become the generic de-facto standard for a class of cocktials. A martini glass does not a martini make. And besides, it is a cocktail glass with a Martini in it. But that is another rant all together.....

I hate to see the name of one of the better rum drinks out there get co-opted for something vaguely tropical because it is made with pineapple juice. And I really hate to see all of the 'other' things get put into a Mai-Tai. Use differrent rums, fine. Use Triple-Sec instead of Curacao. Or sub the Lime and Syrup with Sweet-n-Sour (blech, but I have seen it done)and you are still close enough to the recipe by intent to be called a Mai-Tai. Just don't shove a cocktail umbrella into a pineapple mix and say "Who wants a Mai-Tai?"

The Mai-Tai is a recipe first before it is a concept. Lets not let the folk-lore overtake the recipe because a really good Mai-Tai is a fine way to spend any evening.

Besides, look what happened to the Martini....