The Story Behind The Five-Spiced Mai Tai
The classic Mai Tai always makes me feel like I’m on a beach somewhere. This variation has a tropical twist, made with a five-spice-infused syrup that combines Szechuan pepper, star anise, cinnamon, cloves, and a little fennel seed.
I also use some orange juice in this concoction to add sweetness. I balance it with aromatic bitters on top, in place of dark rum.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces white rum
- ½ ounce lime juice
- ½ ounce orange juice
- ½ ounce triple sec
- ½ ounce five-spice syrup
- ½ ounce aromatic bitters
Directions
- Combine all ingredients except bitters in a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake to chill and combine.
- Strain over crushed ice into a Highball glass.
- Float aromatic bitters on top
- Garnish with star anise and rosemary.
- Toast with an open flame.
Rate This Recipe:
Related Reads & Recipes
Learn About Rum
More Rum Recipes To Explore
The Mandarin Tiki Dream:
Natalie Migliarini (@beautifulbooze) created this bright, unusual tiki cocktail in honor of a childhood favorite, the orange creamsicle. Get her recipe here!
The Fast Car Recipe:
A riff on such classics as the Sidecar and Between the Sheets, this cocktail combines armagnac, rhum agricole, lemon, and citrus liqueur.
The Curaçao Rum Runner Recipe:
This boozy, three-ingredient cocktail complements the nuanced flavors of añejo rum with dry Curaçao and a few dashes of orange bitters.
The Blue Long Island Iced Tea Recipe:
This lighter, fruitier version of a Long Island Iced Tea is an eye-catching adaptation of its notorious counterpart.
The Leo, a Take on the Daiquiri:
Created as a homage to the Leo zodiac sign, this Daiquiri variation sweetens up the typically tart and refreshing Daiquiri.
The Jungle Bird Recipe:
From Kuala Lumpur comes this classic tiki cocktail that's surprisingly easy to make at home. Learn how with this recipe.
