Post #594799 by CincyTikiCraig on Fri, Jun 24, 2011 3:04 AM

Eric,

Senior Curaçao ruined my Mai Tais as well. Senior has a too-bright orange note, and at the same time lacks sufficient body to work in a Mai Tai. My best Mai Tai is made with Grand Marnier, or better yet, one of the Marnier knock offs, such as GranGala Orange or Gran Torres Orange Liqueur. The Orgeat that TV used in his original 1944 recipe, Garnier syrup from France (which would have been of pre-war vintage in 1944), would have contained some measure of brandy which was used as a preservative in the syrup:

http://www.cocktaildb.com/ingr_detail?id=342

Also, Gran Marnier was originally labeled as "Curaçao Marnier" when it was imported into the States, and for many years afterwards. It was the first and original Curaçao that was imported into the USA:

http://education.mhusa.com/section/1188226012656/1187801869656.htm?gw=bp

With this in mind, Grand Marnier (and it's clones) are historically (and culinarily) correct to use in a Mai Tai.