The More You Drink, The More Clothes You Are Bound to Lose

Written off Mai Tais? Can’t blame you. Mai Tais tend to be a muddled blend of fruit juices and rum that don’t stand out. But in the Summer of 2019, I wandered down the alley behind N. Clark Street and E. Illinois Street in the Joy District of Chicago, opened a side door and descended into a retro Tiki Bar with killer cocktails that transported me to the South Pacific. I’ve been on a journey to recreate the flavors of the Three Dots and a Dash Mai Tai ever since and this make-at-home cocktail comes pretty darn close. Give it a try, but be warned! You may fall in love with Mai Tais yet ordering them out tends to be a disappointment. Unless, of course, you can easily get to the Chicago tiki bar that inspired this recipe.

Just the Recipe | 2 Cocktails

Ingredients

4 oz good Caribbean Dark Rum (Aged Mount Gay or Appleton Estate recommended)

2 oz Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice

1 oz Orgeat

1 oz Grand Marnier

1/2 oz Honey Simple Syrup (see Mint Mojito recipe for directions to make this at home)

Lime or Orange slices for garnish

Steps

Measure the ingredients, adding all to a large cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Shake vigorously for 10 seconds.
Pour over crushed ice into the cocktail glass that suits your mood. Garnish with citrus slices and enjoy!

Cheers!

Kitchen Acumen Tips:

Orgeat is an almond liquor syrup. I used Liber & Co. and bought it on Amazon. There are recipes to make yourself if you are interested. You’ll learn a lot more about orgeat if you listen to the podcast episode below.
Interested in the history of what was once a highly popular tradition: Tiki Bars? Listen to this fantastic episode of America’s Test Kitchen podcast Proof: TIKI. Having not grown up in this era, this was such an interesting listening. I’ve been on a mission to find good Tiki Bars ever since I heard this episode. I’ve stopped by Trader Vic’s in Atlanta, which was a bit sad and tired… clearly with vibes of an era past its prime… though the drinks were decent. Tried “Tiki” in Philadelphia before it closed, but the drinks were nothing special. Three Dots and Dash of Chicago has stood out as amazing. I hope it’s doing well during these trying time for restaurants and bars and can’t wait to get back there someday soon.
Variations:
- Add a splash to 1 oz of pineapple juice
- Substitute 1/2 oz of Dry Curaçao for Grand Marnier
- Float 1/2 oz of a high quality dark rum on top, don’t stir. Sip slowly and enjoy!
- Mix good quality rums for a blended flavor
Find a friend or two and enjoy together :)