Virgin Mai Tai: Almond, Lime and Orange

A virgin Mai Tai draws on lime, almond and orange.

Serving inspiration from the ProstZero drink collection: golden ginger sour

A virgin Mai Tai draws on lime, almond and orange. A rum alternative can add body, while tea creates a separate interpretation. Use almond syrup sparingly so the drink does not become dessert-like.

The quantities make one serving. Measure the ingredients before mixing and chill any mixer. Syrups, juices and bottled alternatives vary in sweetness and acidity, so taste the base before topping up.

Ingredients for one serving

  • 50 ml non-alcoholic rum alternative or cold black tea
  • 25 ml lime juice
  • 30 ml orange juice
  • 10 ml non-alcoholic orgeat almond syrup
  • Crushed ice
  • Mint

Method

  1. Shake the base, juices and almond syrup briefly with ice.
  2. Strain over crushed ice.
  3. Taste and add a little cold water if needed.
  4. Garnish with mint and lime.

Getting the balance right

Orgeat is not a neutral sweetener. Almond flavour can dominate citrus even in small quantities. Check ingredients for allergies rather than assuming an almond-style syrup is nut-free. A sweetened rum alternative may require less syrup.

Variation and substitutions

Add 20 ml pineapple juice and reduce orange accordingly for a tropical variation. For more orange aroma, express peel over the glass rather than adding more sweet orange syrup.

Preparing several servings

Measure juice, purée and syrup shortly before serving. Add ice and carbonated ingredients when you make the drink. To serve a group, multiply the quantities, but adjust one glass first before mixing the whole pitcher.

Common question

Is amaretto the same as almond syrup?

No. Traditional amaretto is a liqueur. Use an appropriately labelled non-alcoholic syrup or alternative here.

Find more ideas in our mocktail recipe guide . Compare this with Amaretto Sour Mocktail: Almond and Lemon or browse the drink collection .