All photos by Liz Barclay (@liz_barclay)
If, for some reason, you’re unaware that it’s National Rum Day, don’t you fret. Industry veteran Hanuman Welch, who has put in time at Maison Premiere and Prime Meats, is here to save the day with a fabulous Bitter Mai Tai recipe and tutorial.
The recipe for this Mai Tai variation comes from Jeremy Oertel, who bartends at Williamsburg’s Donna. This Tiki drink is boozy and sweet, like any great Mai Tai, but Oertel adds Campari which gives the cocktail a wonderful bitter note. He uses Smith & Cross Jamaican rum, which has ample caramel, spice, and tropical fruit notes, for a spicy kick.
So make a glass, a pitcher, a bucket, or fill up a bathtub with the lethal stuff, get your eye patch on, turn up the luau music, and start your holiday celebration off right.
Click through the slideshow for a step-by-step visual of how to make the fabulous Bitter Mai Tai.
Bitter Mai Tai
Ingredients
1 1/2 oz Campari
3/4 oz Smith & Cross Jamaican rum
1 oz Lime juice
3/4 oz Orgeat
1/2 oz Curaçao
Instructions
Shake all ingredients, strain over crushed ice, and garnish with mint. Oh, and be sure to play this song while you’re imbibing:
