Every year on August 30, tiki lovers around the world raise a glass in honor of the iconic mai tai, first crafted by Victor “Trader Vic” Bergeron in 1944. Officially recognized in Oakland, California – the birthplace of the cocktail – since 2009, this day celebrates a cocktail legend with tropical flair and timeless appeal. In 2025, as Mai Tai Day falls on Saturday, August 30, tiki bars and home mixologists alike are already preparing to commemorate with style and zest.
Origins & History of the Mai Tai
- Birth at Trader Vic’s: In 1944, at his Oakland bar, Bergeron crafted what he claimed was “out of this world” when a Tahitian friend exclaimed “Mai Tai‑Ro a Aé!”.
- Original recipe: Built on aged Jamaican rum, fresh lime juice, orgeat, curaçao, and rock‑candy syrup – shaken and served with mint and spent lime shell.
- Rise to fame: Propelled by Hawaiian tourism in the 1950s, the mai tai became synonymous with island escapism, even landing in Elvis Presley’s Blue Hawaii.
Why Mai Tai Day Is August 30
- Official recognition: The City of Oakland proclaimed August 30, 2009 as “Mai Tai Day” to honor its native cocktail.
- 2025 celebration: This year’s celebration falls on Saturday, making it a perfect weekend for toasts, tastings, and tiki festivities.
How to Celebrate
Host a Classic Mai Tai Party
Gather your favorite aged rums, orgeat, curaçao, and fresh lime for a night of shaking and sipping. Provide garnish options like mint sprigs, spent lime shells, pineapple wedges, and colorful umbrellas.
Try These Top 2025 Recipes
- Traditional 1944 Mai Tai:
- 2 oz aged Jamaican rum
- ½ oz orange curaçao
- ½ oz orgeat
- ¼ oz rock‑candy or demerara syrup
- Juice of one lime
- Shake with crushed ice, strain into a double old‑fashioned glass, garnish with mint and lime.
- Royal Hawaiian Mai Tai (Hawaiian twist):
- 2 oz pineapple juice, 1 oz orange juice
- ½ oz orgeat, ½ oz curaçao, 1 oz light rum, 1 oz dark rum float
- Shake, pour into a bucket glass, top with dark rum float and garnish.
- Ultimate Mai Tai by Kevin Crossman:
- ½ oz each of three rums (Appleton 12, Smith & Cross, Plantation OFTD/Xaymaca), ½ oz curaçao, ½ oz dem. syrup, ½ oz orgeat, 1 oz lime juice
- Shake, serve over crushed ice, garnish with mint and spent lime.
Visit a Tiki Hotspot
- Trader Vic’s Emeryville will host festivities on Sunday, August 31, 2025 – including rum tastings, live music, slushies, punch bowls, and of course, mai tais.
- Check your local tiki bars: sites like Ultimate Mai Tai rank top-tier Mai Tais in 2025 – such as those at Smuggler’s Cove, Devil’s Reef, Kona Street Market, and more.
Tips for a Stellar Mai Tai
- Choose quality rum: Opt for aged Jamaican or blended molasses rums (like Denizen Merchant’s Reserve) for authenticity.
- Fresh is best: Use freshly squeezed lime, handcrafted orgeat, and real curaçao. Skip juice-laden versions unless celebrating the Hawaiian style.
- Crushed ice matters: It chills faster and keeps flavors crisp – classic tiki style demands it!
- Mind the garnish: Mint + spent lime shell = classic visual that complements aroma.
Summing Up
As Mai Tai Day 2025 arrives on August 30, enthusiasts can celebrate two ways: embracing the authentic 1944 recipe to appreciate the true essence of the original mai tai, or indulging in the boozy, juice-forward Hawaiian variant for a tropical twist. Whether mixing in your kitchen or attending a tiki party, you’ll be honoring decades of tropical cocktail tradition. So shake, garnish, and sip – with cheer to Trader Vic’s timeless creation!
