2 ounces of 17-year old J. Wray & Nephew Rum over shaved ice. Trader Vic's forerunner, Donn Beach, claimed to have instead first created it in 1933, although a longtime colleague said that Beach was actually just alleging that the Mai Tai was based on his Q.B. trader vic's mai tai £13.50 For many years our signature Mai Tai has been modified to perfection. |, How to Stick to Healthy Eating Resolutions for the New Year, The Best Places to Buy Baking Ingredients Online, Easy Shortcuts To a (Mostly) Homemade Valentine's Day Dinner, 13 Easy Ingredient Swaps for Healthier Cooking, Easy Low Sugar Breakfast Recipes to Start Your Day Off Right, Keep Your Gut Healthy with These Probiotic-Heavy Foods, The Most Comprehensive Guide to Yogurt You'll Find on the Internet, 9 Baking Mistakes That Ruin Your Cakes, Cookies, Brownies & Bread, How to Clean Your Dingy Baking Sheets So They Look Like New Again, A Guide to Essential Baking Tools Everyone Should Own, How to Host the Perfect Galentine’s Day Bash, How to Prepare a Hands-On Valentine's Day Finger Food Dinner, How to Throw a Beautiful Valentine's Day Party, The Most Romantic Valentine’s Day Cocktail Ingredients. Mix and serve as in the original formula. The Search for the Ultimate Mai Tai is copyright 2021 by Kevin Crossman. Text copyright by Trader Vic’s. ENDS 11/25 11:59PM PST. The Mai Tai had developed into one of the most known and ordered drinks throughout the world and many people expressed interest in being able to make the Mai Tai at home. The supply of 15-year-old rum was becoming less than dependable so several other Caribbean products were tested for the same high qualities of flavor. Having been in the bar/restaurantbusiness since 1934, he had become known for his eclectic blend of foods cookedin a wood-fired oven, as well as his ability to create irresistible rum-basedcocktails. In 1934, he borrowed $500 and opened his first restaurant: Hinky Dink. He thought about cocktails like Martinis, Manhattans, Daiquiris… but felt these were all too simple. The Mai Tai sprung to life in 1944, not in Polynesia, but in Oakland, California – the masterpiece of Victor Bergeron, better known as Trader Vic. Traveling the Bay Area and beyond to find the best Mai Tai in the world! Anyway, for the rest of us, we’ll need a substitute for the rum. Any old Kamaaina can tell you about this drink and of its rapid spread throughout the islands. After The Trader had success with several other rum drinks, he felt something new was needed. The original mai tai In 1944 after success with several exotic drinks, a bit of serendipity happened that would not only place Trader Vic at the forefront of cocktail mixology, but would also earn him a place in … The Mai Tai Goes Hawaiian During the early 1950s Trader Vic took the Mai Tai to Honolulu while creating drinks for the Matson Line Hotels. Cocktail enthusiasts have come together to determine the liquor that will produce the best facsimile to J. Wray and Nephew 17. Then, he poured the mixture into a glass with a heaping amount of crushed ice and garnished it with a lime wedge and a sprig of mint. Then there’s the age old argument regarding who was the original inventor of the Mai Tai. You can buy a mix or go into almost any cocktail bar and order one up. In 1953 the Mai Tai was brought by me to the Hawaiian Islands, when I was asked by the Matson Steamship Lines to formalize drinks for the bars at their Royal Hawaiian, Moana and Surfrider Hotels. The people who now own Trader Vic’s in Honolulu (which at this time has no connection with the Trader Vic operations on the mainland) claimed it was originated in Tahiti …. Crecipe.com deliver fine selection of quality Trader vic mai tai cocktail recipes equipped with ratings, reviews and mixing tips. Following his history-making creation of The Original Mai Tai® in 1944, Trader Vic created over 200 signature cocktails. The drink chilled nicely with a considerable amount of shaved ice so a large 15-ounce glass was selected to compliment the cooling and generous quality of the Mai Tai. These concoctions do follow history in one way: They manage to transcend escapism, irony and kitsch, and prove that the original tiki drinks could be delicate, subtle and high-quality. Trader Vic (a.k.a. menehune juice £11 A secret blend of Island rums and nectars. Vic took his cocktail—the version with the 15-year-old rum and additional Jamaican rum for snap—and added pineapple juice and a few other flourishes to it. I’d rather drop all the drama and get to the part where we make this time-honored drink. If you’re not a rum person, but like the idea of a fresh, tropical cocktail, there is a Mai Tai counterpart made with whiskey: the Honi Honi. 1/2 ounce Holland DeKuyper Orange Curacao. Many have claimed credit, including Harry Owens. Victor Jules Bergeron, better known as Trader Vic, was the owner of a tiki restaurant of the same name. It is estimated that several thousand Mai Tais are served daily in Honolulu alone, and we sell many more than that daily in our eighteen Trader Vic’s restaurants throughout the world. Well, the sad truth is that there are no longer any Don the Beachcomber restaurants, while Trader Vic’s thrives. Trader’s son, Victor J. Here’s Trader Vic’s Original Mai Tai Recipe. Here, a look at the origin of the mai tai, a resort cocktail classic that tastes like the tropics no matter where you are. 10 years after that first restaurant opened its doors, Trader Vic created his legacy: the Mai Tai. In 1934, he borrowed $500 and opened his first restaurant: Hinky Dink. ONE DAY ONLY FLASH SALE! Sounds tasty and classy, right? Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest tips, tricks, recipes and more, sent twice a week. As the story goes, a guest took a first sip and exclaimed “Maita’i roa ae!”, which is Tahitian for “The very best!” or “Out of this world!” The Mai Tai was so acclaimed that the Royal Hawaiian Hotel wanted to serve their very own version at their bar and restaurant. Then sit back, relax, and get ready for a tropical treat with a sophisticated interplay of flavors: the layers of sweetness from the Curaçao (dark and rich), orgeat (floral and cloying), and simple syrup (pure sugar), the puckering acid of the lime, and the deep, woody undertones and slight burn of the rum. Vic found the next best thing: 15-year-old J. Wray and Nephew, supplies of which, shortly thereafter, also began to run low. This letter from Trader Vic Bergeron himself was put up for auction several years ago (source: Tiki Central). In fairness to myself and to a truly great drink, I hope you will agree when I say, “Let’s get the record straight on the Mai Tai.”. THE ORIGINAL MAI TAIⓇ PARADISE IN A GLASS? It’s the same recipe, just two ounces of whiskey instead of the rum. Others believe that, despite the difference in ingredients, they taste quite similar. In 1944, some special Tahitian guests had entered Vic’s Oakland restaurant. With this dynamic facility and the increasing market Trader Vic decided to produce and bottle a total Mai Tai rum and also a Mai Tai flavoring mix under the Trader Vic label. One answer is that if you have $55,000 or so lying around, you could buy a bottle of 17-year-old J. Wray and Nephew when it next goes up for auction. Some say Don the Beachcomber and some say Trader Vic. Invented in 1944 at the Trader Vic’s restaurant in Oakland, California, this shaved ice sweet and sour concoction evokes images of … 50% OFF ALL MIXES! The History of the Mai Tai The Mai Tai started as a rum cocktail so popular it supposedly depleted world rum supplies in the 1940s and '50s. All basically simple drinks. It was J. Wray & Nephew from Jamaica; surprisingly golden in color, medium bodied, but with the rich pungent flavor particular to the Jamaican blends. It is thought that theMai Tai was created in 1944, by a bartender known as Trader Vic, or VictorJules Bergeron, in Oakland, San Francisco. He introduced ten exotic drinks in the Royal Hawaiian’s bar. Each individual bar was instructed to pre-mix the Curacao, Orgeat and Rock Candy Syrup in appropriate amounts. The origin The tale of the Mai Tai started in 1944, according to Trader Vic. Their answer is equal parts Martinique rhum agricole, made with sugar cane, and a 15-year-old Jamaican rum, though probably not the J. Wray and Nephew; that rum is pretty much extinct as well. The Mai Tai caught on and within 30 days everyone had forgotten the other nine. Hinky Dink soon became Trader Vic’s—a nickname given to him for his tendency to trade his food for goods and services. In 1944, after success with several exotic rum drinks, I felt a new drink was needed. So how did this classic cocktail become adult fruit punch? Out of this world!” Vic adopted the name and thus, the Mai Tai was born. Instructions for application on the 2nd image. This aggravates my ulcer completely. This rum, which was aged in oak barrels, had a unique flavor profile Vic described as “nutty and snappy.” Vic wanted to show off those flavors, not mask them, so he made a drink that is closer to an Old Fashioned than our current conception of a typical tiki bar drink. But that drink in your hand, the one with three different kinds of rum, lots of tropical fruit juice, and topped with a pineapple kebab and a pink paper parasol, while delicious in its own way, barely resembles the original drink, made famous in 1944 by Trader Vic. 1956 Mai Tai Another piece of the puzzle. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. But I’m going to wager a guess that you probably don’t have that kind of cash gathering dust (though if you do and you buy a bottle, please invite me over!). I have let Eddie Sherman, the columnist on the above mentioned Honolulu Star Bulletin, know who originated this drink and think it is time the general public knows that these are the facts of the evolution and growth of the Mai Tai. Victor J. Bergeron claimed to have invented the Mai Tai in 1944 at his restaurant, Trader Vic's, in Oakland, California. A few years earlier the supply of quality French Orgeat had also become uncertain so Henry Smith, who produced vitamins for the Galen Company in Oakland, collaborated with Trader Vic to produce and bottle his own Orgeat. Cooler cocktail. When Vic brought his Mai Tai to Hawaii in 1953, its true heyday began. All week (and all summer) long, we’ll bring you transportive flavors and travel-inspired ideas from around the world, so you can take your tastebuds on a trip and give your mind a mini vacation while you’re still at home. In … The public palate had become more sophisticated and it became necessary to adjust the sweetness of the Mai Tai by lessening the amount of Mai Tai Mix and adding a touch more lime juice. And now you have all the tools you need to create Trader Vic’s original Mai Tai. With coronavirus making travel a tricky and even potentially dangerous prospect this year, we’re embracing the summer staycation. Victor Jules Bergeron, Jr.) was a legend in the Bay Area food scene. Mint and lime? One sip and you may see a Menehune... pinky gonzalez £11 An old friend of Senor Pico®. And the pink parasol? Trader Vic named the drink “Mai Tai” and while there are many variations, the original recipe can still be found at Trader Vic’s locations around the world. It’s so delicious, you might spontaneously find yourself saying “Maita’i roa ae!”. Photo taken in … In 1954 we further introduced the Mai Tai when we included it among other new drinks in bar service for the American President Lines. In 1934, Victor Jules Bergeron, or Trader Vic as he became known, opened his first restaurant in Oakland, San Francisco. He combined that rum with lime juice, simple syrup, orgeat (a sweet syrup made with almonds), and orange Curaçao. Following his history-making creation of The Original Mai Tai® in 1944, Trader Vic created over 200 signature cocktails. When guests visitedfrom Hawaii, they were lucky enough to be treated to one of Vic’s new cocktailcreations. 1 ounce 15-year old J. Wray Nephew Jamaican Rum, 1 ounce Coruba – or Red Heart Jamaican Rum, 1/2 ounce Holland DeKuyper Orange Curacao. Mai Tai. This combination became the Trader Vic Mai Tai rum as we know it today. Used with permission. In 1944 after success with several exotic drinks, a bit of serendipity happened that would not only place Trader Vic at the forefront of cocktail mixology, but would also earn him a place in history. That was the Royal Hawaiian Hotel adding a bit of flair. Best described as Paradise In A Glass®, each handcrafted cocktail is an experience all its own. The history of the Mai Tai cocktail. I took down a bottle of 17-year old rum. The Mai Tai caught on and within 30 days everyone had forgotten the other nine. He became famous for his take on Cantonese cuisine and in-your-face marketing tactics, like letting tourists stick an ice pick in his wooden leg. It was then that the Mai Tai, as we know it (then called the Royal Mai Tai), was born. A generous amount of shaved ice and vigorous shaking by hand produced the marriage I was after. It is also the original Mai Tai recipe. In Tahitian this means “Out of This World – The Best.” Well, that was that. He introduced ten exotic drinks in the Royal Hawaiian‚s bar. Let’s add a fruit skewer. Patch measures 3" x 4". The term translates to 'very good' and the name mai tai stuck. By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. Not colorful enough for such a tropical drink! At Trader Vic’s, the popularity of the mai tai depleted stocks of the J. Wray Nephew, so Bergeron adjusted the original recipe to accommodate rums that were easier to … This rum was made to recapture the characteristics of the original 17-year-old rum. This drink enjoyed great acceptance over the next few years in California and in Seattle when we opened Trader Vic’s there in 1948. The tiki culture is a blend of the Polynesian and the Caribbean. TRADER VIC'S POP SOCKET (BLACK) $ 12.00 Trader Vic's POPSOCKETS! The mid 1950s signaled the end of a dependable supply of the 15-year old J. Wray Nephew Rum. It’s like your Old Fashioned whisked you away to an island. I took a fresh lime, added some orange curacao from Holland, a dash of Rock Candy Syrup, and a dollop of French Orgeat, for its subtle almond flavor. Hand shake and garnish with half of the lime shell inside the drink and float a sprig of fresh mint at the edge of the glass. It’s fairly easy to get that Royal Mai Tai these days. Trader Vic’s Tahitian guests thought so too. He introduced ten exotic drinks in the Royal Hawaiian’s bar. First he skillfully blended Jamaican rums and then added Martinique rum for its elusive and wonderful nutlike flavor and a bit of light Virgin Island rum for the smoothness of body. The Mai Tai caught on and within 30 days everyone had forgotten the other nine. The drink was never introduced by me in Tahiti except informally through our good friends, Eastham and Carrie Guild. Case in point: I was at the Beverly Hills branch of TV over the weekend. Red Heart and Coruba were selected to be used in equal quantities along with the original 15-year-old to stretch the supply and maintain the character of the Mai Tai. He wanted to make something new and unique for them, so he grabbed a bottle of 17-year-old J. Wray and Nephew rum off the shelf. And we can extrapolate what happened from there: If two rums are good, then three must be better, and if pineapple juice is good, then multiple kinds of tropical fruit juices will jazz up the drink too. The rum which motivated the creation of the Mai Tai was a fine, golden, medium-bodied Jamaican from Kingston. But the real question is:  How do you make this drink with the rarest of rums? 1944 mai tai £14.50 Original Mai Tai®, this is the original recipe from The Trader. A History of the Mai Tai The founder of Trader Vic’s, Vic Bergeron, is said to be the creator of the Mai Tai cocktail. During the early 1950s Trader Vic took the Mai Tai to Honolulu while creating drinks for the Matson Line Hotels. Victor Jules Bergeron, Jr.) was a legend in the Bay Area food scene. You purists and curiosity seekers must be wondering how to make Trader Vic’s original Mai Tai, a drink so popular that it made a type of rum virtually extinct. The success of the Mai Tai and its acceptance soon caused the 17-year-old rum to become unavailable, so it was substituted with the same fine rum with 15 years aging which maintained the outstanding quality. He wanted to take it a step further and create something balanced, new and fun. After pouring dark rum, orange curacao, French orgeat, lime juice and rock syrup, he proudly exclaimed “It’s Mai Tai Roa Ae!”, which is Tahitian for “Out of this World – The Best!” This was to be for restaurant use and also for retail sale. He served the rum and juice cocktail to friends visiting from Tahiti, who exclaimed, 'Maita'i roa ae!'. Half the lime shell went in for color … I stuck in a branch of fresh mint and gave two of them to Ham and Carrie Guild, friends from Tahiti, who were there that night. Best described as Paradise In A Glass®, each handcrafted cocktail is … As with the other U.S. I thought about all the really successful drinks; martinis, manhattans, daiquiris …. This rum, though excellent, didn’t exactly match the end flavor of the original 17-year- old product. 1 oz amber Martinique rum I named the drink “Mai Tai.”. Equally strong evidence suggests that Vic was aware of Donn’s; for the whole tangled history, check out pages 64 through 72 of our book Beachbum Berry Remixed. Plus, Don’s Mai Tai dates back to 1933, over a cool decade prior to the invention of the latter. Upon tasting, they exclaimed, “mai-tai roa ae”, which means “out oft… They exclaimed, “Maita’i roa ae!” which in Tahitian means “Amazing! After success in the San Francisco Bay Area, he took the Mai Tai to Hawaii and its popularity rapidly spread throughout the … Following his history-making creation of The Original Mai Tai® in 1944, Trader Vic created over 200 signature cocktails. I was at the service bar in my Oakland restaurant. He became famous for his take on Cantonese cuisine and in-your-face marketing tactics, like letting tourists stick an … Mai Tai. © 2021 CHOWHOUND, A RED VENTURES COMPANY. 1 of 2 Illustrating a story on the history of the mai tai cocktail, assitant bar manager of Trader Vic's restaurant, Jim Shoemake, makes a mai tai. But if you’d prefer to have a professional make one for you, find your friendly, neighborhood tiki bar—there are tons opening up all across the country—and order a 1944 Mai Tai (Make sure to specify the year!). True to its name, the Mai Tai was so lauded that word traveled fast. 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