Mai Tai

What it tastes like

Bright citrus balanced by a touch of sweetness.

Why this recipe works

Shaking is essential here: it chills, dilutes and aerates the citrus so the Mai Tai lands cold, bright and lightly textured. The citrus-to-sweetener ratio is what makes a sour drink balanced — too little of either and it tips into harsh or cloying.

Ingredient tips

• Use fresh lime — bottled juice tastes flat and slightly bitter against the spirit.

Common mistakes

• Shaking too briefly. Shake hard for around 10–12 seconds so the drink chills and dilutes properly.
• Reaching for bottled juice. Fresh-squeezed citrus is the single biggest quality jump you can make.

Variations to try

• If it tastes too tart, add sweetener in 2–3 ml increments. Too flat? A few extra drops of citrus usually fixes it.
• No lime? Try Lemon as a substitute (changes the flavour slightly).