Everyone makes this cocktail incorrectly [I'm looking at you, Marriott] 

I have waited 50 episodes for this, and it didn't disappoint!!! Now when all my friends say my obsessive passion with the Mai Tai is overrated I can say, 'Watch this video you dirty stinker'!! Thank you Spike, for showing this drink the respect it deserves

Happy 50th Anniversary !!!

Hello from Nashville! As a new dad stuck at home most Friday nights, I very much appreciate a little touch of tiki to end the week. Keep up the good work, you're definitely Mai Tai to me!

Great way to celebrate 50 shows! Thanks for all the entertainment this past year, and thanks to sticking with it. I'm still finding past shows I've missed and catching up. Mahalo Nui Loa!

Great video! We’ve made the drive from NC to go to Trader Vic’s in Atlanta this weekend - looking forward to having an authentic Mai Tai tomorrow!

Blue Hawaii scene. Lady-“Mmm, it’s good. What’s this called?” Man- “A Mai Tai. Here, you finish this one, I’ll order another. Uh, miss? Another of these delicious little tummy warmers.”

I don't know about how mint grows in California, but the spearmint bush that I planted in my backyard in Oregon because of this channel has absolutely taken over my yard 😱 12:58 my favorite Mai-Tai place is Hale Pale in Portland Oregon, I think it's part owned by Martin Cate.

once you've had a properly made Mai Tai, all others taste like swill.

One of my favorite episodes. Can't wait to make this myself and try a "real Mai Tai!" Hoped you saved the little ceramic knife... Needs to be framed up in a shadow box! Cheers!

Excellent episode! My only small nit pick is Clement is an agricole rum, while the original Martinique rum Vic used was most likely made from molasses. For this reason, Martin Cate chose a molasses-based, Grand Arôme Martinique rum from Le Galion for the Denizen blend.

Kudos to you for hitting the big 5-0 episode milestone. I appreciate the amount of work you put into these.

Love your passion and heartfelt sentiments with reserving this drink for the 50th episode! Very well done!

I recently discovered this channel and I love what I’ve been learning you have so much passion for tiki thank you so much for sharing what you know and for showing how special this culture is. This is my new favorite channel!!!🗿🗿🗿

Awesome show as usual, Spike. That Denizen is $$$ Congratulations on the 50th. Okole Maluna, to 50 more 🥃🍸🍹

Spike, as a novice, finding the right Rums are a bit intimidating. What about links to the ingredients? I had trouble discerning the best Jamaican and Martinique rums.

50 episodes! Congrats man! We appreciate you. It’s been fun hanging out with you. Cheers to many more 🍹

The 2 most widely used species of Lime in the US are the Persian Lime and Key Lime. Key limes are smaller, so when the recipe says "Juice of One Lime'' -- it takes 3 Key Limes to get 1 Oz of juice. Key limes are usually 10 for a Dollar at the supermarket. Persian limes can go from 3/Dollar to .50 each to .89 cents each, lately. But the humble Key Lime is still a dime. I have both the yellow citrus hand presser, and a legacy Sunkist squeezer. The Squeezer will extract more juice. I found a supposed ''Donn's Original Mai Tai'' recipe [somewhere?] -- 1 oz Grapefruit Juice [white], 1 oz Lime, 1.5 oz Myer's [sic], 1/2 oz Cointreau, 1/4 oz Falernum, 6 Gtts Pernod, 1 dash Angostura Bitters. '' Seems short on rum, but otherwise a Diet Zombie. Vic's is faster, and maybe cleaner. I really like Orgeat, so I sometimes skip the Rock Candy Syrup, and go 1/2 oz. I've been using Gran Marnier for Triple Sec, and my tongue has not fallen off yet. In Tucson, we have the Kon Tiki Restaurant. A local landmark since 1962. Thirty years ago, they used to have a lot of copra, palm fronds, driftwood-type deco. They also sold ''Monkey Meat-on-a-Stick '' -- Rumaki or Kalbi beef kabobs, that you could grill on a little sterno habachi at your table. Unfortunately, one night, some tipsy college girls almost set the place on fire, so the tableside U-grill-it was out. Currently, their drink menu features -- " Original Pyrat Mai Tai, Collector Souvenir Glass 20, Without Glass 8'' -- Zombie 8 This lethal potion made with Pyrat Rum is a classic, world famous island drink. Let the drinker beware...'' So they're pushing the Pyrat XO Reserve. An 80 Proof amber Anguillan spirit bottled by the Patron Spirit Commissariat. Nice stuff on the rocks, but it's pre-spiced -- which is anathema to Tiki purists, who want total spice control. I asked for a Vic's Mai Tai. It was stiff. If I got more of a craft cocktail than 2 shots of well rum and 3 oz of sweet'n'sour mix, on crushed ice, with a top float of Old Typewriter Cleaner, a lime wedge and a cherry [no mint] -- I'm a Monkey's Uncle. Still, it's the only game in town. There used to be a Tahiti Restaurant -- went there with my parents 40 years ago. Gone. Also a Samoa, gone too. [They had a local TV commercial with a big Moki kinda guy, and when the Announcer said "Samoa," Moki would say ''Some mo' uh? Don't mind if I do..."]

I agree so much about the Mai Tai and Zombie being a measuring stick. My favorite Mai Tai is from Smuggler's Cove just a few minute walk from my door.

My favorite Mai Tai place is Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Walt Disney World. Not because it’s the best, not because of the mug, but because it was my first. And you never forget your first. That bar was my gateway drug into Tiki, and for that it will always be my favorite.

Congrats on 50 episodes. Wow, they have just gotten better and better over the year. Also, 100% agree 1934 Zombie and 1944 Mai Tai are the standard tests.

A classic for a reason. Still and always my favorite tiki drink. Love your channel! Congrats on the 50th episode!

Some pretty cool licks there at the end! Love yer show. We're making our way through to the present. Congrats on this 50th!

Thank you for 50 amazing Friday nights 💕 congratulations on doing such an incredible show!!

I used to hang out at Trader Vic's in Chicago, and other Chinese Tiki places like Won Kow - OMG, I drank 2 Blue Hawaiian's once. That's not something you should do. I also lived in the Florida Keys and spent a lot of time in the Caribbean, where I may or may not have made extra $$$$ rum running Cuban rum and cigars. I LOVE the Painkiller - and Hala Kahiki here makes a great one! I also live blocks away from Chef Shangri-La, and they have amazing Tiki drinks (along with a delicious coconut chicken).

Very amazingly well done! I just finally collected 7 bottles of rum to make more tiki cocktails and I started this with Appleton 12, and Clement VSOP. I love your channel thank you!

Love the show. Love the history. Thanks for doing this. One of the best things on the internet!

I was stationed at Point Loma, in San Diego, in the early 90’s. Went to that amazing restaurant in Shelter Island. Loved it! Was sadly transferred to DC in ‘97. Your show has reignited my love of tiki and tiki drinks. Thank you for putting so much of you into every Video!

What a great 50th episode!! The Mai Tai is a personal favorite of my wife and I. Over the years, and many many Mai Tai's later, we've found a recipe balance that we enjoy the most. We've always gone with the Appleton/Clement combo, but gave the Denizen a try after hearing your opinions on it. All I can say is, WOW! We have a new favorite Mai Tai rum! Looking forward to the next 50. Keep up that great work! Our NEWEST recipe: 3 1/2 oz Denizen 8 year (yes that's right 3 1/2 oz!! Go big or go home) 3/4 oz Small Hands Orgeat 1/2 oz Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao 1/2 oz lime juice (we like it a little less "limey" than the traditional) 1/4 oz Simple Syrup

Some things need to be cleared up here: First off that Oxo jigger is wildly inaccurate, try and test it to itself and you will see. Use Cocktail Kingdom Japanese style jiggers instead. Second, Vic made two different versions of the Mai Tai, one was in Hawaii that is closer to how many people make it today, it is not "wrong". You just read how he took it to Hawaii in 1953, but he made a different version for the Royal Hawaiian Resort in Waikiki that on the menu today states, "This is our original trader vic mai tai recipe made with fresh squeezed pineapple and orange juice, orange curaçao, orgeat and local rums from the old Lahaina distillery on maui." Vic made a fruity version for this resort. Also, as you stated, the "Original" was made with a rum that is defunct. Also, that Dry Curacao is the wrong Curacao for this drink, try Dekuypers, Bols or Senior and Co. Finally, Up the Orgeat to ½ oz and ¼ oz 1:1 simple syrup is fine. I bet you'll like it better.

The thing that's most interesting about the connection between the Mai Tai and the Q.B. Cooler is that the two drinks actually taste very similar despite the fact that they use vastly different recipes.

Happy 50th! Can’t wait to see where the channel goes after this!

EXCELLENT episode! I've been subscribed for months now but haven't actually watched any of your episodes until now. Glad this was my first one. Made my first Mai Tai the other night with Eldorado 12.... delicious but not quite right. I'm excited to make it more accurately in the future as I make my foray into Tiki.

Thanks for this episode Spike! The Mai Tai is my - Hands Down - favorite Tiki Cocktail. It's my go to cocktail at home and have had at least one in 30 Tiki Bars to date. I enjoy finding out which rums they use. I have had many adequate versions, a few exceptional ones along with some which were poorly made. You have commented in the past on pre-tasting the lime juice and adjusting your recipe accordingly. I have found that the level of 1/2 ounce, the lime juice has the zing and allows all the other flavors to come through. I can easily taste almond, orange and the rums. I recently had versions at well known and famous Tiki Bars - one in Milwaukee and one just outside of Chicago and both were undrinkable. Per their bartenders, they use 1 ounce of lime juice and both use different rums. I couldn't taste anything else but the lime juice in both versions. I can only assume that the owners have not tasted their Mai Tais in many years..?? Since Vic used the juice of one lime to create the "Best - Out of This World" cocktail.....were the limes smaller then? Is it sacrilege to use less lime juice than the original recipe? I'm looking for input from you and your Breezetonians

Thank you for making these shows. It must be a lot of work and time. I'm in the process of turning my garage into Tommy's Hideaway and this channel allows me to be a student of Tiki.

Thank you as always for the videos and Happy 50th! So nice to see you play on the show too :) I noted two things 1) got to be rich syrup and 2) I think Martin Cate's argument, and the reason for Denizen's existence, is because Vic used a molasses based Martinique rhum like a Grand Arome once he ran out of the 17 year. My take on it? The 17 year is unobtainium but I can get the 21 year old Appleton for £80 so that's my Mai Tai until I run out like Vic did!

Spike, you earned those chills, man. You've traveled the whole gamut of Tiki beverages, for the sole purpose of doing the Mai Tai justice with your expertise. The secret of the lime-squeeze, the blend of rums, the history and record of this drink... you have literally trained for this; a man who has met his match, and come out on top. Cheers!

The episode I was waiting for! I love a proper Mai Tai. I have sent back many that showed up without even drinking them because they had grenadine in them. GRENADINE! I have learned to ask if they could make a Trader Vic's Mai Tai and if not I've just ordered something else. Thank You Spike!

Love the little rockabilly bit in this video. Great cocktail and music kicks the vibe up a notch. Cool show man.

Hahah! I actually have a set of those Suck 'em Up glasses. Found about 20 years ago in an antique mall. I'm now a mai tai fan and so glad I held on to them all these years. Thanks for the video! So fun!!

Excellent guitar riffs! That was fun.

Fantastic show - thanks for doing the Mai Tai justice. Now we just need the Marriott makers of the world to see this. I found you a few weeks ago and have been bingeing your videos since. Great work and here's to the next 50 episodes!

Loved this episode! Just came across a Don Ho suck ‘em up glass …love your song.

Mauna Kea on the Big Island has a beach bar with excellent Mai Tais

Thank You Spike for all the work you do on these shows!

That is a great Mai Tai. I have used several different blend that I keep at home, my favorite being 1/2 oz Appleton 12, 1/2 oz Smith and Cross, 1/2 oz Plantation Xaymaca, and 1/2 oz Plantation OFTD (Thank you, Kevin Crossman)

Congrats on your 50th! I so enjoy your show. I’m ready for a Mai Tai now 🍹

Love the Clement vsop. It makes a great daiquiri

I've made so many Mai Tai's for myself and others at home that I've never bothered to order one from a tiki bar😆 I'm always curious to try their tiki originals and find the next best thing!

Congratulations on 50 shows! I like my Mai Tai with home made orgeat 1/2 oz. and no rock Candy syrup. Keep up the great work!

Keep killing it with these videos!! 🤙

Awesome job man and congrats on 50 shows! Keep it up!

Congrats on 50 episodes! Thank you for the quality content and sharing your passion with us all. Look forward to every episode.🍹🌺🌴

I love the channel! I'm learning a lot and having a blast. Thank you.

Congrats with the 50th episode, Mahalo!

I have fallen down the Tiki rabbit hole because of your show👍

Wow...re-watching.... sipping on a Mai Tai and I'm tripping out that this was episode 50!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rock candy syrup is traditionally 3 to 1, not 1 to 1. Light corn syrup is sometimes also added alongside the sugar. So you can’t really substitute rock candy syrup with simple syrup.

I've been drinking the "bastardized Marriott Mai Tai" for years, if you wanna call it that. My recipe comes from Maui's "Leilani's" restaurant on Kaanaapali Beach. There is influence from Trader Vic's in it. They do the blend of rums and they do lime juice and Orgeat. The only change is the fruit juice. I'll try this one someday.

I had guessed it was Trader Vic and also I decorate my Mai Tais with a lime shell which I pearce through and stick an island of mint through it, really pretty. I was thinking of getting the Clemon VSOP but can't really find another use for it much, we don't really drink rum neat. Maybe for a dark ti Punch

" 'I invented the Mai Tai. -Trader Vic' -Spike"

That was great , really enjoyed the the mai Tai special .

Congratulations Spike on 50 episodes! Already booked in for Trader Vics London, to get a proper Mai Tai! Love the Tiki style jacket, guess you’re all out of Shirts?

Thank you for these clarifications on the Mai Tai. Yes it from Trader Vic, yes it has been distorted over time. You missed a couple key points however. He introduced it to The Royal Hawaiian Hotel on Oahu. They added pineapple 🍍 and a local cane dark rum float, making it what I call a Hawaiian Mai Tai. The only thing I see absent from your production is the need to slap the mint over your palm and the mention of using crushed ice. Your ice appears to be crushed, but no mention of it. I was a Trader Vic Bartender in Portland for 10 years. You should try my King Kamaha Maha Mai Tai!

The tummy warmer! We reference that constantly. Our favorite drink 🎉

Since you didn’t have an episode tonight, I’m going back over past episodes. I think I’ve been following you from the start (March 2020?) and I thought I saw and clicked Like on everything - I guess not! I😮I have some catching up to do! I shall make it my mission! 😊

Hey Spike I come to this late but I love your show and especially delighted to see your Mai Tai. I make mine exactly like this except with JM VSOP instead of Clement. It is not cheap but it is definitely out of this world - and yep one of the best in London UK if I say so myself! Thanks man and keep up the good work

Matt, firstly, congratulations on your 50th episode. Well done. A few points I'd like to highlight: 1. Great jacket. Formality and irreverence simultaneously and all in one sport coat. Good job. 2. Style & skill. Love how you handled your shaker tin and glass without looking and without pause (at 6:18). Nice. 3. Guitar playing. Fun and awesome. Cheers my dear friend.

I spent a summer teaching myself how to make a Mai Tai with the recipe you used. Now everyone loves when I make them. Sometimes when people don’t want it as strong, I add a little pineapple juice, but for me, the original is the way to go.

Thanks mate for all your videos, my wife and I look forward to them and are learning a lot from them 🗿

Great episode! Great channel!

Finding the right recipe is a delightful challenge. Currently we like: 1 Appleton 12 1 Pusser's Gunpowder Proof 1 Fresh Lime juice 1/2 Cointreau 1/2 Orgeat (Giffard) dash of Fee Bros Black Walnut bitters small pinch of salt. There is no need for any additional sugar.

Love the channel! You totally got us into making tiki drinks! So far the mai tai, the Tonga punch and the Plantar punch are our favorites! Working thru the list!

I don't know what kind of orgeat you're using, but the one I make from scratch doesn't look anything like that one. I don't mean it's not authentic to what the original was like, but I really like my homebrew a lot!

When I got into tiki my first question was "what drink should I learn to make?" This was the one, and I learned it exactly like this (from the Total Tiki App). I sometimes flip between Smith & Cross and the Appleton for the Jamaican rum. It's also my go-to test for any bar that calls itself a tiki bar. Thanks for spreading the knowledge.

I'm from German countryside .. so we don't really have something like a Tikibar. But I really love those drinks and make me myself. Keep up the great work. Your bar really looks awesome!

This is my first episode... sub'd immediately! Totally Fun! Love your style and energy.

Hey! I just came here to say thank you for these videos. Just recently got into tiki and now I kinda wanna marathon your channel lol. Love your band too!

WOW that was awesome! So entertaining and funny and great music skills too!!! There is definitly nothing like a good mai tai thats forsure!!! Mahalo

Have you thought about starting a patreon? Looked for you on there but found nothing. I'm sure there's many subscribers who would love to help with supplies cost and to ensure your program continues to grow. Just an idea, best wishes bud.

Loved the song as well as the Mai Tai!

Lovely video. Congratulations on the 50th episode.

I'll have to try the Denizens. I made this with the Clement & Appleton last night & it was so flavorful! That Clement is something else in this drink!

Happen to be sipping one while watching. Nicely prepared!

Thanks for hanging out on a Wednesday morning. :P

Wish I knew this recipe when I used to bartend! Great excuse to buy more rum and try it in my home bar. Thanks for another “out of this world” episode 🤙🏼

Thanks for nice sharing video. my thumps up. see you 👍👍👍

Great show this is my favorite reciepe.

And suddenly all the cocktail channels are doing a 'all the mai tais' video. You're an inspiratiin! Didn't know your channel before that video tbf, but really enjoying it!

Very cool episode. I'm new to the channel as of a few videos. Keep going. Totally digging it.

Well, now I start looking for Clement rum and that amazing jacket.

Another great episode. Here’s to 50 more, Spike! 🗿

Hala Kahiki in River Grove, IL is the only tiki bar I goto for my tiki fix and really the only Tiki bar I know of now.They make their Mai Tai with the same rums you used tonight and the best Mai Tai that I know of in Illinois. It has been a while since I had their zombie at Hala Kahiki so I need to make a visit and have one or three. Oh and Happy 50th episode

Great episode Spike the history and the recipe matters

Rock on , love that song.

Great 50th episode! I need more bottles of rum!

Congrats on your 50th episode! I’ve really been enjoying these. Love the episodes where you chat with your friends. Is this the first episode without the Elvis watch?

Happy 50th, the gold watch edition.

Spike, your video's are awesome! On a trip once I was in a faux tiki-ish bar, the Mai Tai recipe was as follows: Grenadine, OJ, Cranberry Juice, Coconut Rum, Triple Sec and Meyers Rum.... needless to say I didn't order one. Keep up the great work!

Thanks for making this video. I love the Mai Tai!

excellent intro. personally, I think it is possible Trader Vic 'nicked' the name, but I concur with most; Trader Vic's recipe is the 'one true' Mai Tai.