Featured Recipe: Bitter Mai Tai (Easy Tiki)

Even though we have recently been writing about our favorite fall and holiday themed tiki cocktails, we often like to shake things up and revisit some of our favorite summer cocktails (especially when the weather is unseasonably warm for fall).

This past summer (or as we call it, our “quarantine summer”), the Bitter Mai Tai from Easy Tiki was one of our very favorite go-to recipes.

We first tried it while vacationing in Palm Springs and fell in love with this particular riff, as it felt more unique and refreshing than most. If you love Mai Tais and Campari, you are bound to appreciate this particular twist on a tiki classic.

The following post provides the necessary ingredients and steps for making this drink at home. Let us know what you think in the comments - cheers!
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Recipe/ Instructions:

Glassware: Double Old Fashioned

Ingredients:

• 1 oz lime juice
• ¾ oz orgeat
• ½ oz orange curaçao (Pierre Ferrand)
• ½ oz Campari
• ¾ oz aged Jamaican rum (Smith & Cross)

Cocktail Steps:
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker, and shake with ice for 10 seconds.  Strain into a glass with crushed ice, and add 2-3 dashed Angostura bitters.

Garnish:
Garnish with a large sprig of mint.

Wayward Spirits Rating:
Overall Score - 4

The Bitter Mai Tai from Easy Tiki is a deliciously unique riff on the classic tiki cocktail - well balanced, refreshing, and perfect for hot summer days next to the ocean or pool.

As a huge fan of all things bitter, this particular recipe spoke to me. That’s not to say this version is perfect - It does lack a certain complexity and spice (explaining the 4 star rating), however, it makes up for this with its unique blend of bitter and sweet.

​Give it a try, and let us know that you think!