Add the robust charms of Campari to your next Tiki tipple with the Bitter Mai Tai.
There are a few Tiki bars here in Los Angeles that I love to frequent. Around the corner from me is the world-famous Tiki-Ti, and more often than not, there’s a line going down the block to get in. It’s a small space, but one of the coolest places you’ll ever visit, along with some of the strongest cocktails you’ll ever have in your life. I heard there’s a special prize for anyone who can drink every libation on the menu. Not in one sitting, of course. I imagine only The Incredible Hulk could pull that one off.
Tonight’s drink is a fantastic and unforgettable riff on the iconic Tiki elixir, the Mai Tai. It turns out, I had a very similar concoction at another one of my favorite South Seas-themed bars here in L.A., Burbank’s own Broken Compass. Accompanied by good, fresh food, I ordered off a rotating menu that never gets boring, and my cocktail had all the elements of a perfect Polynesian potion.
That evening I went with something slightly different, yet wholly familiar to me. My drink had Campari added to the mix, that deep red, herbaceous and bitter Italian liqueur. An odd and left-field choice to add to a tropical beverage, to be sure, but I was intrigued. I was already a big fan of drinks like the Negroni, so I had to try this one. The bite it gave my cocktail was beautiful, and each sip got me excited for the next one.
When you’ve got your Aloha shirt on and a hankering for something bold, make your next Tiki tipple a Bitter Mai Tai.
What Is The Best Rum To Use In A Bitter Mai Tai?
You have your Campari and orange liqueur, either a Grand Marnier or Cointreau, but now you need a Jamaican rum to complete the perfect Bitter Mai Tai. There are a few very good choices available to you, and you don’t have to travel all the way to GoldenEye to get some. Blackwell is a fine, dark and spicy spirit, as is Appleton Estate and Myer’s. Smith & Cross is an overproof, navy-strength rum that hails from Jamaica, so if you’d like a little extra punch with each sip, that’s a fine selection. Some of these spirits that I’ve mentioned are a little easier to find than others. For example, where I live in Los Angeles, I can’t find a bottle of Blackwell anywhere in the wild. But when I have my heart set on having some, it is available online.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce Campari bitter liqueur
- 1 ounce Jamaican rum
- 1/2 ounce orange liqueur
- 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1/2 ounce orgeat syrup
- Crushed ice
- Mint sprig and lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Add the Campari, Jamaican rum, orange liqueur, lime juice, and orgeat syrup into a cocktail shaker.
- Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake well until the drink is nicely chilled.
- Strain into an Old Fashioned glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with a mint sprig and a lime wheel before serving with a straw.
Nutrition
WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH ARE USED?
Fill a rocks or Old-Fashioned glass with crushed ice, then once your drink is poured in, garnish with a fresh sprig of mint and a lime wedge on the rim.
CAN YOU USE APEROL INSTEAD OF CAMPARI?
Yes. Aperol is a popular substitute for the intense-tasting Campari. This softer, orange-tinged liqueur is more on the sour side than bitter, at least to my palate.
Other Tiki Drinks Worth Trying
Now that the weather is starting to warm up, it might be time to pull out those camp collar shirts and sarongs, as well as gather all the ingredients you’ll need to be able to mix up some Tiki cocktails whenever the mood strikes. After a cool, refreshing dip in the pool, you’ll probably want to have a few of these tasty and thirst-quenching classics.
- Saturn – A fruity, gin-based otherworldly libation, and a Tiki favorite.
- Fog Cutter – Rum, gin and brandy help cut through the thickest of mists.
- Zombie – Wake the dead with this eye-opening concoction.
- Three Dots & A Dash – You don’t need to know Morse code to enjoy this classic.
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