Virgin Mai Tai Mocktail

The Mai Tai is one of the most recognizable and classic Tiki Bar cocktail drinks. This Virgin Mai Tai recipe makes an authentic tasting version that is layered, balanced, delicious, and most importantly, alcohol free.

Although it wasn’t on my “regular rotation” back in the day, the Mai Tai is one of the most iconic Tiki Bar-type drinks, and a non-alcoholic Mai Tai has been one of the most repeatedly requested recipes over the past few years. And with good reason: its layered and balanced smoky and fruity blend is delicious! Psssst: if you love classic mocktails, be sure to check out my Negroni mocktail too.

Because the traditional Mai Tai is a very rum-forward cocktail, and because rum has such a distinct flavor, I do recommend using a non-alcoholic rum replacement like Lyre’s White Cane or Ritual Zero Proof Rum to capture that classic, smoky caramel profile. If you'd prefer to steer clear of non-alcoholic spirits, I make some recommendations below in the recipe card.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It tastes like an authentic Mai Tai with its balanced and layered flavor, but it's completely non-alcoholic.
• One of the most quintessential Tiki drinks, this recipe has been requested numerous times over the years.
• Simple to make and you can use everyday items if you don’t have a shaker set, or everyday ingredients if you don't have the zero-proof rum.

Equipment Needed

• Shaker - Otherwise use a mason jar/drink bottle - anything with a tight lid.
• Something to measure - whether it’s a jigger, shot glass or other small glass.
• A rocks or Tiki glass - to serve, again not a must, any short tumbler will do just fine.

Virgin Mai Tai Ingredients

Most of my recipes can be made without using non-alcoholic spirits. But classic drink recipes like a Mai Tai, especially with its distinct flavor, will be as close to the original if you embrace a non-alc rum for this recipe.

Non Alc Rum - I recommend Lyre’s White Cane or Ritual. Mai Tai is usually made with both a light and dark rum so splash out if you wish, but otherwise just a white rum will suffice. You could also use this my mojito mocktail or my virgin daiquiris!

Orange Juice - use a light pulp or no pulp option.

Lime Juice - fresh is always best!

Orgeat Syrup - replace with a drop or two of almond essence, almond extract, or almond-flavored coffee syrup if you can’t find orgeat.

Pineapple Juice - optional, but a lovely flavor addition and creates more of a tropical mocktail vibe.

Orange Bitters - Also optional, but a few drops really adds a wonderful depth to the flavor.

How to Make It

Full directions and measurements are located in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

1. Add measured ingredients to a shaker or lidded jar.

3. Add at least a ½  cup crushed ice. Replace the lid and shake very briefly.
4. Dirty pour (i.e. pour the whole lot) into your glass.

5. Optional step: slowly pour in your dark rum to create a layered effect.
6. Garnish with mint and lime.

Expert Tips and Tricks

• If possible, chill the ingredients first. The one complaint I get about mocktails is they lack the body/depth of their alcohol counterparts - dilution makes this issue worse, so the colder the better.
• Crushed ice is best. You can smash some ice cubes in a plastic bag or clean kitchen towel if you don’t have crushed. And it’s so therapeutic!
• Don’t overshake the drink or you can dilute the flavor.
• When asking a rep about orgeat syrup, it’s pronounced or-zhat.
• Use almond essence or extract sparingly if subbing for Orgeat. A drop or two will suffice.

More Classic Mocktails To Try

Virgin Mai Tai Mocktail

An easy non-alcoholic twist on a classic, this virgin mai tai has all the flavor and none of the headache. With the option to make it as a mocktail for one or in a batch for guests, it's refreshing, delicious and comes together in less than 5 minutes.

5 from 2 votes

Author: Natalie Battaglia

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 2 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 3 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 1

Ingredients

MetricUS

• ▢ 1 ½ oz non-alcoholic white rum (or substitute - see Note 1 below)
• ▢ ¾ oz orange juice
• ▢ 1 oz pineapple juice (optional)
• ▢ ¾ oz lime juice
• ▢ ½ oz orgeat syrup (or substitute - see Note 2 below)
• ▢ 2 dashes bitters (optional, but adds depth, I like All The Bitter Orange Bitters)
• ▢ ½ oz non-alcoholic dark rum (for float - optional)
• ▢ Mint + lime for garnish

Instructions

• Add rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, lime juice, orgeat syrup and bitters to a shaker, with a decent scoop of crushed ice (at least ½ cup).
• Shake for a few seconds only, until the ingredients are juice combined.
• Dirty pour (i.e. pour the whole lot) into your glass. Top with more crushed ice.
• Optional step: to create the traditional Mai Tai layer, slowly pour in your non-alcoholic dark rum.
• Garnish with a generous sprig of mint and a slice of lime, and serve!

Batch Instructions

Use the 'Servings' toggle above to select how many drinks you'd like to make. The ingredient amounts will update automatically. To make the mocktail, add the (optional) non-alcoholic rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, lime juice and orgeat syrup to a pitcher, dispenser or punch bowl. Stir to combine and place in the fridge until you're ready to serve. Just before serving, add a few scoops of crushed ice. Pour into glasses and serve with little shots of non-alcoholic dark rum to create the layers if you wish. Fun tip: create a garnish station with fresh mint and lime slices so your guests can dress up their own drinks.

Notes

Note 1 (non-alcoholic rum): if you don't want to use non-alcoholic rum, I'd recommend a splash (around ½ teaspoon) apple cider vinegar, or 1 oz (30 ml) extra pineapple juice. Vinegar is a by-product of alcohol and can help to replace some of the body that goes missing when alcohol is removed from a drink. Pineapple juice will also be delicious!

Note 2 (orgeat syrup):  a traditional Mai Tai relies heavily on orgeat to balance acidity and create depth...it's also one of its 'signature flavors'. So if you want to get as close to the real thing as possible, use the orgeat syrup. Great replacements are a drop or two of almond extract or essence, or even a splash of almond-flavored coffee syrup!

Nutrition

Serving: 200ml | Calories: 59kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 67mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 53IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.1mg

NUTRITIONAL VALUES ARE ESTIMATES ONLY AND DO NOT INCLUDE CARBS FROM SUGAR ALCOHOLS.

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Course: Drinks