tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249095902319557066.post1101609808786901188..comments2024-03-02T16:13:12.891-06:00Comments on Kitchen Riffs: Mai Tai CocktailKitchen Riffshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09334461438904669081noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249095902319557066.post-36688497670580538402014-04-28T16:51:01.524-05:002014-04-28T16:51:01.524-05:00Hi Larry, I find the Grand Mariner OK in the small...Hi Larry, I find the Grand Mariner OK in the small amount called for, although that's my taste. I'm usually able to buy it on sale for $35 or less, although you're right the Marie Brizzard is a much better deal (doesn't taste quite as good, though, IMO). I should try the rums you recommend. And one of these days I should try making my own orgeat, although in the past year or so I'm starting to see more of these in my liquor store. Thanks for the comment!Kitchen Riffshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09334461438904669081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249095902319557066.post-38352092803235774012014-04-28T16:01:32.712-05:002014-04-28T16:01:32.712-05:00Grand Marnier has a cognac base and the flavor can...Grand Marnier has a cognac base and the flavor can overpower a Mai Tai a bit more than the average curacao. Also Grand Marnier is ridiculously expensive whereas a decent curacao like Marie Brizzard or Senor Curacao can be found for $15-25 for a 750ml bottle. Additionally, I would strongly recommend a rum mix of Appleton 12-Year (which can be found typically for around $25-30 on sale) and Clement VSOP (a Martinique rum that usually runs about $30). The mix of the dark Jamaican Appleton and the earthy Martinique rum most closely approximates the flavor profile of the original Mai Tai (at least according to several experts such as Jeff Berry). As for the orgeat, I've found that making my own tends to come out wonderfully. I usually simmer 1 cup almond milk with 2 cups sugar, 1/2 tsp almond extract and dash of orange blossom water. This will keep in the fridge about a month, but can last longer if you add a little vodka or silver rum to it as a preservative. Also, you can't discount the use of a mint sprig as a garnish. When you slap the mint sprig in your palm to release the oils and add it to the glass, the fragrance helps accentuate the flavor of the drink. Also sinking the spent lime shell adds additional fragrance and flavor from the oils in the rind. --LarryLarry Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11879484407981384551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249095902319557066.post-90262016070318449162012-06-17T09:33:34.965-05:002012-06-17T09:33:34.965-05:00Hi Anonymous, technically, unless you use 17-year-...Hi Anonymous, technically, unless you use 17-year-old Wray & Nephew rum, you can't make a Mai Tai — that's what Trader Vic originally used, and it's no longer available. And although I've never tasted that, from what I understand it's pretty stiff stuff, and you'd want some simple syrup to help tame it. The rums I specify are more mellow, hence no need for simple syrup. There are better choices for the amber rum than the ones I specify, but there not as readily available in most US liquor stores. I'm curious why you think Grand Mariner isn't an adequate curacao? It is a curacao, after all — I'd think the objection would be to the Cointreau (a triple sec) that I specify. Actually, since I wrote this, I've changed my mind and decided Grand Mariner works just a bit better than Cointreau (although both are really good). As for the garnish, the top photo is pretty close. Trader Vic loved to pitch half a lime shell into his drinks. I prefer lime wedges, plus they make for better photos! And the mint was original to the drink. But Tiki drinks are notoriously loose with their garnishing, and although the pineapple wedge is a bit on the edge, it just looks right. Anyway, thanks for taking time to comment.Kitchen Riffshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09334461438904669081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249095902319557066.post-62066546688386216782012-06-17T02:42:11.069-05:002012-06-17T02:42:11.069-05:00not the right recipe but you have one wrong rum in...not the right recipe but you have one wrong rum in there, you cannot use grand marniner for curacuo and you are missing simple syrup and you are missing the right garnish<br /><br />what you made might be a nice drink but isnt a mai taiAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249095902319557066.post-35789319681748328732011-07-06T19:32:30.610-05:002011-07-06T19:32:30.610-05:00@Heidi, thanks for the kind words. Glad you liked...@Heidi, thanks for the kind words. Glad you liked the history - the Mai Tai has a lot of it, and its fun to write about. Thanks.<br /><br />@Danazia, Thanks for the compliment! Good to meet a fellow Mai Tai lover. Thanks for the link to your blog - great post.Kitchen Riffshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09334461438904669081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249095902319557066.post-24911625687908646292011-07-06T18:37:03.097-05:002011-07-06T18:37:03.097-05:00I LOVE LOVE LOVE mai tais and are well know in our...I LOVE LOVE LOVE mai tais and are well know in our area for making them for any excuse. Love you pictures! They are amazing! Here is my loving post on mai tais. http://danazia.wordpress.com/2010/07/27/mai-tai/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249095902319557066.post-80090669435193655812011-07-06T18:20:14.979-05:002011-07-06T18:20:14.979-05:00Wow that looks amazing. I love the first and secon...Wow that looks amazing. I love the first and second photo - just gorgeous! And I loved the history :DHeidi @ Food Doodleshttp://fooddoodles.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249095902319557066.post-26279542732083622642011-07-06T17:33:15.255-05:002011-07-06T17:33:15.255-05:00@Kankana, thanks for the compliment! Glad you lik...@Kankana, thanks for the compliment! Glad you like the photo.<br />@Nicky V. Party at your house! Some liquor stores carry Orgeat syrup, but it's not easy to find. I always buy mine at Amazon - scroll up to the Notes section, there's a link in the 4th bullet-point. Thanks for the comment.Kitchen Riffshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09334461438904669081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249095902319557066.post-42096681620116234512011-07-06T16:35:39.148-05:002011-07-06T16:35:39.148-05:00Everyone is invited to my house for Happy Hour! Wh...Everyone is invited to my house for Happy Hour! Where can I find Orgeat syrup?Nicky V.http://www.shortorder.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4249095902319557066.post-79787941140187158072011-07-06T16:26:08.131-05:002011-07-06T16:26:08.131-05:00I can't take my eyes off that drink photo ... ...I can't take my eyes off that drink photo ... gorgeous drink !kankanahttp://www.sunshineandsmile.comnoreply@blogger.com