Product Review: Trader Vic’s Mai Tai Mix

Trader Vic's Mai Tai Mix - Product Review:

I’m typically a strong advocate for fresh, homemade ingredients when it comes to making cocktails - however, every once in a while, I’ll take a shortcut (as long as it doesn’t compromise taste).

When it comes to tiki cocktails, there are even fewer of these shortcuts available, as the quality of ingredients usually directly dictates the end result (as this type of cocktail often relies on fresh fruit and citrus). For me, the Mai Tai is a good example of a drink which is just complicated enough to make a shortcut feel desirable.

While recently shopping at my favorite liquor store (Beverage Warehouse in LA), I stumbled upon the Trader Vic’s Mai Tai Mix. Originating from one of the giants of the tiki world, I felt a sense of obligation to give it a try and see how it holds up to my homemade recipe.

The Trader Vic’s Mai Tai mix did not disappoint, tasting very similar to the Mai Tai I usually make (and taking a quarter of the time). The mix doesn’t even need to be stored in the refrigerator after opening - which is a huge plus if cocktail ingredients take up half of your fridge space (as they do in my house).

While I’m still an advocate for using fresh ingredients when you can, it’s okay to cheat every once in a while (as long as it tastes as good as Trader Vic’s Mai Tai mix)...

Trader Vic's Mai Tai (using mix):

Glassware:  Double Old Fashioned

Ingredients:

• 4 oz Trader Vic’s Mai Tai Mix
• 2 oz dark rum (we used Bacardi Black)
• Juice of 1 lime

Cocktail Steps:
Pour Mai Tai mix and dark rum into a double old fashioned glass, over crushed ice. Squeeze the lime juice into the drink, and give it a swirl with a bar spoon.

Garnish:
Sprig of mint and/or lime wheel

Wayward Spirits Rating:
Overall Score – 4.5

For the reasons mentioned above, the Trader Vic’s Mai Tai mix earns 4 stars for taste (similar to the Mai Tai I make from scratch), and an addition .5 star for being a huge time saver.

Moving forward, this Mai Tai mix will be a new addition to my liquor cabinet for those days I’m feeling too lazy to break out the fancy homemade syrups and juices.

I look forward to reviewing some of the other products Trader Vic’s has to offer, but happy drinking until then!