Mai Tai Mocktail

Before you start

A classic Mai Tai is rum, lime, orange liqueur and orgeat, an almond syrup with orange flower water. It is not the pineapple punch many people picture but a tart, nutty, rum-forward sour. For the mocktail, strong black tea and a touch of molasses or demerara syrup stand in for aged rum's depth, while orgeat and orange juice cover the liqueur.

Orgeat is the flavor that makes the drink a Mai Tai, so do not skip it. Shake everything hard with a little crushed ice, then dump it all into a rocks glass and top with more crushed ice. Finish with a big mint sprig and a spent lime shell, the classic garnish.

Ingredients

• 60 ml (2 oz) strong black tea, cooled — 2 tea bags steeped 5 minutes in 120 ml water
• 30 ml (1 oz) fresh lime juice — keep the squeezed half for garnish
• 15 ml (½ oz) orgeat
• 15 ml (½ oz) fresh orange juice
• 10 ml (2 tsp) demerara syrup (1:1)
• 2 drops vanilla extract — optional, for an aged-rum note
• 1 large sprig fresh mint — for garnish

Method

1. Brew the tea strong, then cool it quickly by placing the cup in a bowl of ice water for about 10 minutes. Warm tea will melt the crushed ice too fast.
2. Add the tea, lime juice, orgeat, orange juice, demerara syrup and vanilla to the shaker.
3. Add a small scoop of crushed ice and a few cubes. Shake hard for about 6 seconds, just until the tin frosts.
4. Pour everything, ice included, into the rocks glass. Top with more crushed ice and pack it into a small dome.
5. Set the spent lime shell on top of the ice, cut side down, and tuck the mint sprig beside it so you smell it with every sip.
6. Serve with a short straw placed near the mint.

Tips for success

• Vanilla extract contains alcohol. A couple of drops adds only a trace, but leave it out for anyone avoiding alcohol completely.
• Crush ice in a canvas bag or a clean kitchen towel with a rolling pin. It melts quickly, so crush it just before mixing.
• Pick orgeat that lists almonds as a main ingredient. Thin, artificial almond syrups taste of marzipan and nothing else.

Substitutions

Black tea

A non-alcoholic dark rum alternative gives a closer flavor. Use 45 ml and skip the vanilla.

Orgeat

For a nut-free drink, use 15 ml coconut syrup with 2 drops of orange flower water. It loses the almond character but keeps a rich, rounded finish.

Demerara syrup

A drop of molasses stirred into simple syrup gives a darker, more rum-like sweetness.

Variations

Pineapple Mai Tai

Add 30 ml pineapple juice and garnish with a pineapple wedge for the sweeter, resort-style version.

Smoky Mai Tai

Use lapsang souchong tea for a smoky, aged-spirit character.

Troubleshooting

It tastes like sweet lemonade

The tea was weak. Brew it with two bags for at least 5 minutes, or use a smoky black tea for more depth.

It is very watery

The tea was warm or the shake ran long. Chill the tea first and shake briefly, since crushed ice melts quickly.

The almond flavor is missing

Your orgeat may be weak. Increase it to 20 ml and reduce the demerara syrup.

Storage

Serve immediately. Refrigerate opened orgeat and use within the time on the label, often 1 to 2 months; discard if it separates permanently or smells sour. Brewed tea keeps in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Safety notes

Orgeat contains almonds (tree nuts). Do not serve to anyone with a tree nut allergy. The black tea adds a moderate amount of caffeine.