THE MOST TRUSTED COPYCAT RECIPES
THE MOST TRUSTED COPYCAT RECIPES
P.F. Chang's Mai Tai copycat recipe by Todd Wilbur

P.F. Chang's Mai Tai

Score: 5.00 (votes: 5)
Reviews: 5
  • $0.00
Qty:  

Menu Description: "It's our signature recipe."

Bring the tropical spirit of this drink home with my P.F. Chang's Mai Tai recipe, a clone of the potent cocktail from the growing Chinese bistro chain. Mai tai is Tahitian for "out of this world," and P.F. Chang's recipe is one of the best and most authentic. The secret to a true mai tai is found in the original recipe developed by Trader Vic in 1944: almond-flavored syrup, called "orgeat." (Try my recipe here). 

You can find the sweet stuff in stores that sell coffee flavorings (Torani is one very popular brand), or from bar supply outlets. If you can't find orgeat, there's a clone recipe included in the Tidbits below.

Source: Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2 by Todd Wilbur.

Get This

_main
  • 1 1/2 ounces Bacardi light rum
  • 3/4 ounce triple sec
  • 3/4 ounce orgeat syrup
  • 3 ounces orange juice
  • 3 ounces pineapple juice
  • Splash Bacardi 151 rum
  • Splash dark rum
Garnish
  • Pineapple wedge
  • Maraschino cherry
Do This

1. Fill a 16-ounce glass with ice.

2. Add the light rum, triple sec, orgeat, orange juice, and pineapple juice; then give the drink a quick stir.

3. Splash the 151 and dark rum on top. Do not stir.

4. Make a small cut in the pineapple wedge, then stick a toothpick into the pineapple wedge on the opposite edge. Pierce a maraschino cherry onto the toothpick. Slip the pineapple slice onto the rim of the glass (into the cut that you made). Add a straw, and serve.

Makes 1 drink.

Tidbits: You can make a pretty close version of orgeat syrup from scratch by dissolving 1/2 cup granulated sugar in 1/2 cup boiling water. Add 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract and 1/4 teaspoon coconut extract. Cool before using, then measure as you would the real thing.

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Reviews
Lem Rogers
Apr 28, 2014, 22:00
This mai tai recipe is amazing! I've been hooked on mai tais ever since I had one at Duke's in Waikiki and they make some of the best. I've never had quite as good and few that even compare but this recipe comes as close to the real deal as I've had in the 48 contiguous states! The orgeat syrup is a must for this recipe. I used Torani brand it was SOOO good!!
DP
Jan 1, 2014, 22:00
I made this one for new years as well and it came out excellent. I was unable to find orgeat syrup so instead of making my own I just used straight store bought almond syrup. I will definitely be using this one again
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I'm Todd Wilbur, Chronic Food Hacker

For over 30 years I've been deconstructing America's most iconic brand-name foods to make the best original copycat recipes for you to use at home. Welcome to my lab.

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