Mai Tai Swizzle (Re-Revisited)

I took another run at the Don the Beachcomber Mai Tai Swizzle. Last time I said that I thought there was too much citrus, but I might think differently if the lighter Cuban style rum was replaced by a heavier Demerara rum. 

So that’s basically what I did. I replaced the blend of Dark Jamaican and Gold Cuban rums with my Ultimate Mai Tai rum blend which includes Jamaican and Demerara rums. This time the heavier rum balanced out the citrus, though I still think going a little heavier on the Falernum would be a plus.

Mai Tai Swizzle (Don the Beachcomber)
¾ oz Lime Juice
1 oz Grapefruit Juice
½ oz Cointreau
¼ oz Falernum
2½ oz Ultimate Mai Tai Rum Blend
6 Drops Pernod
1 Dash Angostura Bitters
Shake with crushed ice

Ultimate Mai Tai Rum Blend is equal parts Appleton 12, Smith & Cross, Plantation Xaymaca, and Plantation OFTD.

Hemingway Daiquiri (Revisited)

Revisitation week continues with a cocktail I pretty much hated the first time I tried it. Knowing that I thought that the Maraschino Liqueur was too heavy and the drink too tart I made some tweaks.

Hemingway Daiquiri
¾ oz Lime Juice
½ oz Grapefruit Juice
“Light” ½ oz Maraschino Liqueur
¼ oz Simple Syrup
2 oz Light Rum (Denizen White)

I really enjoyed this. I’m more used to the taste of the Maraschino these days but I do think it being dialed back is better for me.

Mai Tai Swizzle

I didn’t like this Don the Beachcomber cocktail when I made it a couple years ago, but my palette has come around on some flavors over time so I thought I’d give this one another shot.

The Mai Tai Swizzle dates from the 1950s, according the Jeff “Beachbum” Berry. The recipe comes from Hawaii: Tropical Rum Drinks & Cuisine which is a Don the Beachcomber recipe book published by Donn Beach’s widow (who made a dubious claim this recipe pre-dated the Trader Vic’s 1944 Mai Tai). Including Grapefruit juice, Bitters, Falernum, and Pernod, the drink does contain some of the ingredients often seen in Don the Beachcomber cocktails.

Mai Tai Swizzle (Don the Beachcomber)
¾ oz Lime Juice
1 oz Grapefruit Juice
½ oz Cointreau
¼ oz Falernum
1½ oz Dark Jamaican Rum (Coruba)
1 oz Gold Cuban Rum (sub Bacardi 8)
6 Drops Pernod
1 Dash Angostura Bitters
Shake with crushed ice.

My notes a couple year ago was that this had too much citrus, and that feeling holds true today. I might have different opinions if the Cuban rum was replaced with a Demerara, so maybe I’ll try that next time. (See the results: Mai Tai Swizzle Re-Revisted)

So, I made some tweaks and added Demerara Syrup and added more Falernum. It is much better tasting and more balanced. Mrs. Mai Tai enjoyed it while finishing her cocktail puzzle.

Ultimate Mai Tai Swizzle
¾ oz Lime Juice
1 oz Grapefruit Juice
½ oz Demerara Syrup
½ oz Cointreau
½ oz Falernum
1½ oz Dark Jamaican Rum (Coruba)
1 oz Gold Cuban Rum (sub Bacardi 8)
6 Drops Pernod
1 Dash Angostura Bitters

Top Shelf Mai Tai with Hampden Great House

This new expression from Jamaica’s Hampden Estate is a long-aged rum said to be in the style preferred historically at the estate. Bottled at cask strength at 59% ABV and featuring the high ester count that Hampden is famous for, this is a rum that is so full of flavor that it might be difficult to sip neat. I found that just a small ice cube smoothed out some of the rough edges.

Some would say that an expensive rum like this should be never used in a cocktail, but as someone who enjoys Mai Tais with bold, flavorful rums I can’t think of a better choice for a rum to employ in this rum-forward cocktail. And if it ain’t cheap, well, I’m worth it!

Indeed, this rum shines in a Mai Tai! Thick and rich flavors are still present but are done in a way that’s so much more approachable. One of the best Mai Tais I’ve ever made at home.

It’s possible you might be able to recreate a similar taste profile using a combination of less-expensive Jamaican rums, such as Appleton 12 along with Hampden’s Rum Fire. But I feel no guilt going straight to the top shelf.

Hampden Great House is becoming available in the United State this month. Check your local or online craft liquor store. Get it now, before it’s gone.

Amazing Cocktails from Smuggler’s Cove

The Dead Reckoning and Rosalita from Smuggler’s Cove really did the trick for us tonight. So flavorful and plenty boozy, both featuring ingredients I don’t have at home.

  • Dead Reckoning: Let this drink guide you to a new destination. Rum, pineapple, fresh lemon, vanilla liqueur, maple, tawny port, Angostura bitters
  • Rosalita: As beautiful as it is delicious, this cocktail contains rum, lime, house-made orgeat, house-made hibiscus liqueur, pear liqueur, seltzer, bitters.

BG Reynolds Mai Tai Mix

I’m a big fan of BG Reynolds products and have used and liked many of the cocktail syrups. So, I thoughts I’d give their Mai Tai Cocktail Mixer a try.

This is a “just add rum” mixer, unlike other Mai Tai mixes that require you bring both rum and lime to the party. The label calls for 3 oz of Mai Tai Mix and 1½ oz of Aged Rum. Ingredients are Water, Sugar, Orange Juice, Lime Juice, Almonds, Almond Extract, and preservatives. The rum used is Denizen Merchant’s Reserve, a good aged rum made for Mai Tais.



The cocktail is light and refreshing, but there’s not a lot of almond to taste and it’s too heavy on the OJ for my preference. Might be a good base for a punchbowl at a party, if you’re willing to add a little extra orgeat and maybe add some smoky Demerara rum to the blend.