Post #426753 by kendunn3 on Fri, Jan 2, 2009 12:39 PM

I asked our waitress after we had run up a pretty substantial bill and (although she wouldn't give measurements) she said they use a special sweet pink grapefruit juice, a splash of pineapple juice, honey in place of some (half?) the usual rock candy syrup, no lime whatsoever, curacao, orgeat, Appleton's aged dark rum, light rum (she also let it slip that their Mai Tai were a little light on alcohol compared to the typical... so I'm guessing 1 oz light, and a scant oz of dark. I will share with you the real Trader Vic's Mai Tai recipe (if you promise not to tell...
1 oz light rum
1/2 oz orange curacao
1/4 oz rock candy syrup (some say 1/2 oz - I think it depends on how sweet your limes are, and personal preference)
1/2 oz french orgeat syrup
juice of one lime
1 oz of premium aged dark rum floated on top(this makes the drink) - Trader Vic supposedly used 17 (then when that ran out due to the overwhelming popularity of his creation, 15 year old J. Wray Nephew Rum, but I find Mount Gay Extra Old - made in Barbados - seems to be more readily available here, and makes an excellent substitute (as does Appleton's)

I hope this helps.