Try a fruity and sweet version of the legendary tiki cocktail the next time you have a craving with the Lychee Mai Tai.
The globetrotter had been on the proverbial road for what seemed like months, maybe even years. The reality, however, was much different. After three days of travel, our hero was ready for a comfy bed, a hot shower, and of course a cold and refreshing cocktail. Two, perhaps.
The city they found themselves in was a mystery. They were told its name by the pilot when the plane landed, as the passengers were welcomed to… Well, the globetrotter was so tired that it escaped with the quickness of a cartoon jailbird. No matter. The hotel would probably remind him. But no such luck there, as their accommodations were provided by a chain and used the same branding worldwide. To be fair, each place did say what city they resided in, but the traveler was still too tired to check. It mattered little. A thirst must be quenched.
In the lobby, or rather next to it, stood an empty tiki bar. The calypso music played softly, while all the idols and iconography seduced the globetrotter. Sauntering up to the bored-looking bartender, the weary jet-setter requested something “familiar” yet “exotic”. The barkeep sprang into action, happy for the customer and soothing sounds of shaking ice.
And the globetrotter spent a blissful, late-night sipping on the fruity, comforting Lychee Mai Tai, all to the soothing strains of The Tikiyaki Orchestra.
What is the best rum to use in a Lychee Mai Tai?
You’ll need two types of rum to craft this potent, sweet, and fruity tiki tipple, one dark and one white. The clear, unaged white spirit will meld nicely with the dark, spiced rum and offer a balanced-tasting cocktail when mixed with the right amount of orange liqueur, amaretto, and other elements found in this rich and robust mixture.
Ingredients
- 3 canned lychee fruits
- 2 ounces lychee juice
- 1 ounce dark rum
- 1 ounce white rum
- 1/2 ounce orange liqueur
- 1/2 ounce amaretto
- 3/4 ounce lime juice
- 1 tablespoon simple syrup optional
- Mint sprig for garnish
Instructions
- Place the canned lychee fruits and lychee juice into a cocktail shaker. Use an immersion blender or a regular blender to blend the ingredients until smooth.
- Add the dark rum, white rum, orange liqueur, amaretto, lime juice, and optional simple syrup into the shaker. Add a handful of ice cubes before shaking well.
- Strain using a fine mesh strainer into an Old Fashioned glass filled with ice and garnish with a mint sprig.
Nutrition
What is a lychee fruit?
Native to China and part of the soapberry family, lychee is a red, rough-skinned fruit —often called an “alligator strawberry” because of its skin’s texture—that tastes somewhere between a strawberry and a watermelon.
Other tiki drinks worth trying
It could be bright and sunny out with a warm breeze blowing through your hair, or there might be six feet of snow on the ground outside. No matter the weather or where you are in the world, a tiki cocktail is always a good idea, as it’ll help bring those wistful island vibes to you wherever you may be.
- Shark Bite – A favorite riff on a potent tiki classic.
- Bitter Mai Tai – A robust and rich take on the tiki stalwart.
- Three Dots & A Dash – Serve this party-in-a-glass at your next adventure-themed party.
- Orgeat Syrup Recipe – Always have this popular tiki drink ingredient on hand with our homemade recipe.
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