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The Mai Tai is the quintessential Hawaiian cocktail  
The Mai Tai is the quintessential Hawaiian cocktail  

but it turns out
but it turns out

it's not actually Hawaiian.
it's not actually Hawaiian.

In fact, more often than not, when you order a Mai Tai
In fact, more often than not, when you order a Mai Tai

you're not getting THE Mai Tai,
you're not getting THE Mai Tai,

at least not the original Mai Tai from 1944.
at least not the original Mai Tai from 1944.

So today we are making that original Mai Tai, or at least as close as we can get.
So today we are making that original Mai Tai, or at least as close as we can get.

We'll also tackle the controversial history of its creation and I'll do so from Hawaii.
We'll also tackle the controversial history of its creation and I'll do so from Hawaii.

The Mai Tai this time on Drinking History.
The Mai Tai this time on Drinking History.

So I am here at Kuleana Rum Works on the Big Island of Hawai'i
So I am here at Kuleana Rum Works on the Big Island of Hawai'i

not that far from where they actually distill the Kuleana Rum.  
not that far from where they actually distill the Kuleana Rum.  

They are carrying on a tradition of making rum  here on the island that goes all the way back to
They are carrying on a tradition of making rum  here on the island that goes all the way back to

King Kamehameha the first.
King Kamehameha the first.

An early Hawaiian historian Samuel Kamakau said
An early Hawaiian historian Samuel Kamakau said

"The first taste that Kamehameha and his people had of rum
"The first taste that Kamehameha and his people had of rum

was at Kailua in 1791 or perhaps a little earlier,
was at Kailua in 1791 or perhaps a little earlier,

brought in by Captain Maxwell."
brought in by Captain Maxwell."

But while they may have had the main ingredient available it took another 150 years
But while they may have had the main ingredient available it took another 150 years

for the Mai Tai to wash up on the shores, but when it did
for the Mai Tai to wash up on the shores, but when it did

it was the 1944 recipe from Trader Vic.
it was the 1944 recipe from Trader Vic.

"Two ounces Wray & Nephew 17-year Jamaican rum,
"Two ounces Wray & Nephew 17-year Jamaican rum,

1/2 ounce orange curacao, a 1/2 ounce orgeat syrup, a 1/4 ounce white sugar syrup,
1/2 ounce orange curacao, a 1/2 ounce orgeat syrup, a 1/4 ounce white sugar syrup,

juice of one lime, shake well with plenty of crushed ice.
juice of one lime, shake well with plenty of crushed ice.

Pour unstrained into a double old-fashioned glass.  
Pour unstrained into a double old-fashioned glass.  

Sink your spent lime shell into drink. Garnish with  a mint sprig."
Sink your spent lime shell into drink. Garnish with  a mint sprig."

And we can pretty much make this exact drink with one notable exception.
And we can pretty much make this exact drink with one notable exception.

You are not likely to find any Wray & Nephew 17 year old Jamaican rum.   
You are not likely to find any Wray & Nephew 17 year old Jamaican rum.   

There are a few bottles still  left in the world but usually they're sold at auction
There are a few bottles still  left in the world but usually they're sold at auction

for about $50,000
for about $50,000

so I'm not using that today.
so I'm not using that today.

Now Vic himself described the rum as "surprisingly golden in color, medium bodied,
Now Vic himself described the rum as "surprisingly golden in color, medium bodied,

but with the rich pungent flavor particular to the Jamaican blends.
but with the rich pungent flavor particular to the Jamaican blends.

The flavor of this great rum wasn't meant to be overpowered with  
The flavor of this great rum wasn't meant to be overpowered with  

heavy editions of fruit juices and flavorings."
heavy editions of fruit juices and flavorings."

And even Vic himself didn't use the rum for very long because just a few years into making his Mai Tais
And even Vic himself didn't use the rum for very long because just a few years into making his Mai Tais

he had gone through the world's supply  
he had gone through the world's supply  

of that rum so he switched over to the 15-year  and by the mid 50s he'd gone through all that too.
of that rum so he switched over to the 15-year  and by the mid 50s he'd gone through all that too.

So then he switched to his own blend of aged  Jamaican rum and rum Agricole
So then he switched to his own blend of aged  Jamaican rum and rum Agricole

which is a rum made from fresh sugar cane juice typically made in Martinique or Guadalupe
which is a rum made from fresh sugar cane juice typically made in Martinique or Guadalupe

so while I wasn't able or willing to shell out $50,000 for a bottle of rum
so while I wasn't able or willing to shell out $50,000 for a bottle of rum

most everything that I am using in this cocktail is available on Curiada,
most everything that I am using in this cocktail is available on Curiada,

and I'll put a link in the description to where you can order that.
and I'll put a link in the description to where you can order that.

So for my dark rum I'm using this Appleton Estate 12 year.
So for my dark rum I'm using this Appleton Estate 12 year.

It's the oldest distillery in Jamaica and is now owned by Wray & Nephew,
It's the oldest distillery in Jamaica and is now owned by Wray & Nephew,

and for my rum Agricole I'm actually going to be using Kuleana's rum Agricole because you know, when in Hawai'i.
and for my rum Agricole I'm actually going to be using Kuleana's rum Agricole because you know, when in Hawai'i.

The other ingredients I'm using are Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao which is a bitter and sweet orange flavored liqueur,
The other ingredients I'm using are Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao which is a bitter and sweet orange flavored liqueur,

and the Liber & Co orgeat syrup.
and the Liber & Co orgeat syrup.

So orgeat is a sweet and a little bit bitter almond syrup
So orgeat is a sweet and a little bit bitter almond syrup

that often has some botanicals usually rose or I think this has a little orange blossom.
that often has some botanicals usually rose or I think this has a little orange blossom.

I'm actually going to try a little bit.
I'm actually going to try a little bit.

It's like marzipan in liquid form.
It's like marzipan in liquid form.

Absolutely delicious and you really can't make the original Mai Tai without it.
Absolutely delicious and you really can't make the original Mai Tai without it.

Then just some simple syrup and the juice of a lime, about one ounce worth.
Then just some simple syrup and the juice of a lime, about one ounce worth.

Then we give it a shake with crushed ice and pour the whole thing into a glass.
Then we give it a shake with crushed ice and pour the whole thing into a glass.

Then garnish with a sprig of mint.
Then garnish with a sprig of mint.

He also says to put the lime shell in there but unless you have a bigger glass
He also says to put the lime shell in there but unless you have a bigger glass

and a smaller lime that's not really going to work and that's okay.
and a smaller lime that's not really going to work and that's okay.

Here we go.
Here we go.

It's very different from so many Mai Tais that you get. 
It's very different from so many Mai Tais that you get. 

It's not nearly as sweet,
It's not nearly as sweet,

it is sweet.
it is sweet.

I mean it's still a tropical Tiki drink but you're really tasting
I mean it's still a tropical Tiki drink but you're really tasting

the flavors of the rum and the orgeat.
the flavors of the rum and the orgeat.

You're getting- it's so much more complex than when they just make it with a bunch of fruit juice and rum,
You're getting- it's so much more complex than when they just make it with a bunch of fruit juice and rum,

and I definitely prefer it this way.
and I definitely prefer it this way.

It's basically like a Hawaiian vacation in a glass.
It's basically like a Hawaiian vacation in a glass.

But there are so many newer versions of this drink.
But there are so many newer versions of this drink.

It has a long and complicated history  
It has a long and complicated history  

and I'm going to give you a short history  right now.
and I'm going to give you a short history  right now.

The year is 1944 Victor Bergeron had been proprietor of a bar for ten years in Oakland California,
The year is 1944 Victor Bergeron had been proprietor of a bar for ten years in Oakland California,

originally called Hinky Dinks. The bar had gone Tiki recently and he changed the name to Trader Vics.
originally called Hinky Dinks. The bar had gone Tiki recently and he changed the name to Trader Vics.

Now Vic had found some success with the bar but things were getting a little stale,
Now Vic had found some success with the bar but things were getting a little stale,

it was time for a new cocktail.  
it was time for a new cocktail.  

So one night he went behind the bar and grabbed that bottle of Wray & Nephew, 17 year old Jamaican rum  
So one night he went behind the bar and grabbed that bottle of Wray & Nephew, 17 year old Jamaican rum  

and made the first Mai Tai. 
and made the first Mai Tai. 

"I stuck in a branch of fresh mint and gave two of them to Ham and Carrie Guild,
"I stuck in a branch of fresh mint and gave two of them to Ham and Carrie Guild,

friends from Tahiti, who were there that night.
friends from Tahiti, who were there that night.

Carrie took one sip and said, 'Mai Ta'i - Roa Ae'.
Carrie took one sip and said, 'Mai Ta'i - Roa Ae'.

In Tahitian this means 'Out of this world - the best'.
In Tahitian this means 'Out of this world - the best'.

Well, that was that, I named the drink 'Mai Tai' ".
Well, that was that, I named the drink 'Mai Tai' ".

But is this how it actually went down because Vic was kind of a spinner of tall tales.
But is this how it actually went down because Vic was kind of a spinner of tall tales.

Often he would take a fork and stab it into his wooden leg and tell people that he had lost the leg to a shark,  
Often he would take a fork and stab it into his wooden leg and tell people that he had lost the leg to a shark,  

when in reality he lost it to tuberculosis when  he was six years old.
when in reality he lost it to tuberculosis when  he was six years old.

But frankly the Mai Tai story just doesn't seem that far-fetched so
But frankly the Mai Tai story just doesn't seem that far-fetched so

I don't see why he would have made it up,
I don't see why he would have made it up,

but there is one man who claimed that it was made up,
but there is one man who claimed that it was made up,

Donn Beach the originator of the Tiki bar.
Donn Beach the originator of the Tiki bar.

See Donn told people that Vic had based the Mai Tai off of a punch at the Beachcomber.
See Donn told people that Vic had based the Mai Tai off of a punch at the Beachcomber.

"The Q.B. Cooler was the basis for  a drink he took with him and he called it the Mai Tai." 
"The Q.B. Cooler was the basis for  a drink he took with him and he called it the Mai Tai." 

And it is known that Vic was a big fan of the Beachcomber and took a lot of inspiration from the place when he opened Trader Vics.
And it is known that Vic was a big fan of the Beachcomber and took a lot of inspiration from the place when he opened Trader Vics.

Though Fred Fung, Vic's assistant for 41 years, swore that while Vic may have taken a lot of ideas from the Beachcomber.  
Though Fred Fung, Vic's assistant for 41 years, swore that while Vic may have taken a lot of ideas from the Beachcomber.  

Basically just taking the entire concept of the  Tiki bar along with a lot of other things  
Basically just taking the entire concept of the  Tiki bar along with a lot of other things  

when it came to "the Mai Tai, he did concoct that, and  Carrie Guild did name it."
when it came to "the Mai Tai, he did concoct that, and  Carrie Guild did name it."

And you kind of got a side with Vic on this because the Q.B. Cooler had 10 ingredients in the mai tai only had 5,
And you kind of got a side with Vic on this because the Q.B. Cooler had 10 ingredients in the mai tai only had 5,

and of those ingredients they only shared two and it was lime juice and rum and it wasn't even the same kind of rum.
and of those ingredients they only shared two and it was lime juice and rum and it wasn't even the same kind of rum.

So I say Vic gets the credit for the Mai Tai but it didn't really matter at least for the first few years
So I say Vic gets the credit for the Mai Tai but it didn't really matter at least for the first few years

because it wasn't that popular outside  of his place in Oakland
because it wasn't that popular outside  of his place in Oakland

but when Vic partnered with Matson Cruise Line in 1952 he put together  a cocktail menu that featured the mai tai except  
but when Vic partnered with Matson Cruise Line in 1952 he put together  a cocktail menu that featured the mai tai except  

that it was actually way low on the list below the  Zombie and Planter's Punch
that it was actually way low on the list below the  Zombie and Planter's Punch

but it was there on the menu and it was made on their ships and at their hotels including the Royal Hawaiian in Waikiki.
but it was there on the menu and it was made on their ships and at their hotels including the Royal Hawaiian in Waikiki.

And it was there that the Mai Tai really took off.
And it was there that the Mai Tai really took off.

And throughout the 1950s other hotels in Hawaii decided to cash in on the drink's popularity,
And throughout the 1950s other hotels in Hawaii decided to cash in on the drink's popularity,

and added the Mai Tai to their menus.
and added the Mai Tai to their menus.

Unfortunately the recipe was a very well kept secret and so these other places
Unfortunately the recipe was a very well kept secret and so these other places

were just making their version of the Mai Tai and this is when you start to see 
were just making their version of the Mai Tai and this is when you start to see 

orange juice, and pineapple juice, andgrenadine being added and
orange juice, and pineapple juice, andgrenadine being added and

the dark rum float on the top which is very common still today
the dark rum float on the top which is very common still today

but whether it was the original or one of these knockoffs the Mai Tai was a hit with tourists,
but whether it was the original or one of these knockoffs the Mai Tai was a hit with tourists,

and they took it back to the mainland when they went home.
and they took it back to the mainland when they went home.

There they served it at the many Polynesian themed parties
There they served it at the many Polynesian themed parties

that were all the rage in the 1950s and 60s.
that were all the rage in the 1950s and 60s.

In 1962 the Deputy Secretary of Defense threw a lūʻau in Washington DC
In 1962 the Deputy Secretary of Defense threw a lūʻau in Washington DC

with guests as illustrious as ambassadors, White House staff and even Senators including Robert Kennedy,
with guests as illustrious as ambassadors, White House staff and even Senators including Robert Kennedy,

and afterward Washington Society columnist Betty Beale wrote
and afterward Washington Society columnist Betty Beale wrote

"Don't say black tie, say Mai Tai."
"Don't say black tie, say Mai Tai."

And the Mai Tai subsequently became the most popular drink in the country for several years,
And the Mai Tai subsequently became the most popular drink in the country for several years,

and as its popularity grew its association with Hawai'i actually began to irk Vic
and as its popularity grew its association with Hawai'i actually began to irk Vic

because the drink had been made at his place  in Oakland,
because the drink had been made at his place  in Oakland,

and so he started to put up signs at Trader Vic's that said 'The Home of the Mai Tai' 
and so he started to put up signs at Trader Vic's that said 'The Home of the Mai Tai' 

and he cashed in on its popularity by bottling the drink to sell at stores,
and he cashed in on its popularity by bottling the drink to sell at stores,

but he wasn't the only one.
but he wasn't the only one.

See around 1970 another bottled Mai Tai began appearing on the shelves,
See around 1970 another bottled Mai Tai began appearing on the shelves,

and it said that it was the original Mai Tai.
and it said that it was the original Mai Tai.

Who would have the audacity?!
Who would have the audacity?!

Well of course it was Donn the Beachcomber.
Well of course it was Donn the Beachcomber.

See the rivalry between the two had been growing for years and in many ways
See the rivalry between the two had been growing for years and in many ways

Vic had won not necessarily because he was doing better but because Donn had  
Vic had won not necessarily because he was doing better but because Donn had  

not done so well with the business. He had had some  money problems, some problems with several ex-wives  
not done so well with the business. He had had some  money problems, some problems with several ex-wives  

and so his first ex-wife now owned all of his  restaurants.
and so his first ex-wife now owned all of his  restaurants.

And I think that this bottled my time might have just been a way for him to get some of that dignity back
And I think that this bottled my time might have just been a way for him to get some of that dignity back

but Vic didn't really care and he sued him and won but
but Vic didn't really care and he sued him and won but

in doing so Vic had to put the original recipe for the Mai Tai in the public record
in doing so Vic had to put the original recipe for the Mai Tai in the public record

which is why we have it today so I can make it here.
which is why we have it today so I can make it here.

And I'm sure glad because it's absolutely delicious.
And I'm sure glad because it's absolutely delicious.

This is- this is still my first one I swear
This is- this is still my first one I swear

but it won't be my last. Now
but it won't be my last. Now

I've already tasted this and usually I do the tasting at the  end of the episode, 
I've already tasted this and usually I do the tasting at the  end of the episode, 

but I wanted to taste that earlier because I wanted to actually taste the rum Agricole from Kuleana and
but I wanted to taste that earlier because I wanted to actually taste the rum Agricole from Kuleana and

this nanea which I've actually already tasted,
this nanea which I've actually already tasted,

and it's fantastic but I want to taste them side by side it's a bit more of an aged rum.
and it's fantastic but I want to taste them side by side it's a bit more of an aged rum.

So this is the Agricole and it's a hundred percent sugar cane juice grown here on Hawai'i
So this is the Agricole and it's a hundred percent sugar cane juice grown here on Hawai'i

on their farm and that is what we used in the cocktail.
on their farm and that is what we used in the cocktail.

So I'm going to try it solo.
So I'm going to try it solo.

It's nice it's very just kind of neutral.
It's nice it's very just kind of neutral.

There's a little bit of a  
There's a little bit of a  

fruitiness in there, like maybe pineapple or something like that.
fruitiness in there, like maybe pineapple or something like that.

It's actually very, very nice.
It's actually very, very nice.

This is made partly with this and it's  then aged in cognac barrels for 18 months  
This is made partly with this and it's  then aged in cognac barrels for 18 months  

and then blended with several other rums so  going to be a little bit more complicated uh  
and then blended with several other rums so  going to be a little bit more complicated uh  

kind of the goal here is to
kind of the goal here is to

make it more like a- like you would have a tasting whiskey  
make it more like a- like you would have a tasting whiskey  

that you taste. This is going to  be more in that vein. Let's give it a try.
that you taste. This is going to  be more in that vein. Let's give it a try.

I love it. I just love it. It's so smooth.
I love it. I just love it. It's so smooth.

The burn is it's almost an afterthought. An afterburn if you will.
The burn is it's almost an afterthought. An afterburn if you will.

And so you're just getting the  flavors. It's really, really wonderful  
And so you're just getting the  flavors. It's really, really wonderful  

and I think could go
and I think could go

and be used in cocktails but  doesn't need to be. It's really is just lovely for sipping,
and be used in cocktails but  doesn't need to be. It's really is just lovely for sipping,

maybe a little bit chilled you know just because it's hot in Hawai'i.  
maybe a little bit chilled you know just because it's hot in Hawai'i.  

Fantastic.
Fantastic.

And they have lots of other rooms, well a couple other rums
And they have lots of other rooms, well a couple other rums

that are absolutely worth trying so if you want to check out Kuleana I will put a link to their website
that are absolutely worth trying so if you want to check out Kuleana I will put a link to their website

so you can see where you can buy them online or somewhere in your state.
so you can see where you can buy them online or somewhere in your state.

Thank you to Kuleana for for hosting me here and
Thank you to Kuleana for for hosting me here and

for Hawai'i for being just the best place to take a vacation and make wonderful cocktail.
for Hawai'i for being just the best place to take a vacation and make wonderful cocktail.

Wait wait don't go away yet because we  are not quite finished since I filmed that video in Hawai'i
Wait wait don't go away yet because we  are not quite finished since I filmed that video in Hawai'i

I found this wonderful quote from Trader  Vic himself.
I found this wonderful quote from Trader  Vic himself.

See Vic was a teller of tall tales and he liked to build up his origin story but
See Vic was a teller of tall tales and he liked to build up his origin story but

in the 1960s after he had made most of his money  
in the 1960s after he had made most of his money  

he decided to kind of come clean on his famous origin story.
he decided to kind of come clean on his famous origin story.

He was being interviewed by Barnaby Conrad who sounds like a fascinating character himself because
He was being interviewed by Barnaby Conrad who sounds like a fascinating character himself because

not only was Barnaby a celebrated author and artist, he was also a nightclub owner, boxer,
not only was Barnaby a celebrated author and artist, he was also a nightclub owner, boxer,

and a bull fighter.
and a bull fighter.

Go figure.
Go figure.

Anyway he was interviewing Vic and he asked him a little bit about the Tahiti part of his origin story.  
Anyway he was interviewing Vic and he asked him a little bit about the Tahiti part of his origin story.  

How long he had been in Tahiti and Vic admitted
How long he had been in Tahiti and Vic admitted

"I went to Tahiti last year for the first time, and I hated the goddamn place.
"I went to Tahiti last year for the first time, and I hated the goddamn place.

Here all these years I've been promoting South Seas Cuisine and South Seas products,  
Here all these years I've been promoting South Seas Cuisine and South Seas products,  

and I go there and see it for myself, and  it rains all the time and the girls have bad teeth  
and I go there and see it for myself, and  it rains all the time and the girls have bad teeth  

and the food is crummy and I can't wait to leave. 
and the food is crummy and I can't wait to leave. 

It's the pits. It's a boil on the ass of creation that place, I'll tell ya!"
It's the pits. It's a boil on the ass of creation that place, I'll tell ya!"

Quite the charmer and essentially he was promoting a product he had never even tried before
Quite the charmer and essentially he was promoting a product he had never even tried before

so that makes me glad that I have gotten to try these service from today's sponsor Squarespace.
so that makes me glad that I have gotten to try these service from today's sponsor Squarespace.

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and I will see you next time on Drinking History.
and I will see you next time on Drinking History.

thank you
thank you