Red Lobster Mai Tai Recipe

The first time I served these Red Lobster-inspired Mai Tais at my backyard luau, my neighbor Joe—who considers himself quite the cocktail critic, raised his eyebrows skeptically. “Chain restaurant cocktails?” he questioned with a smirk. Three sips later, he asked for the recipe and planned his tiki party!

This vibrant, fruity Mai Tai perfectly balances white and dark rum with sweet tropical juices for a refreshing escape in a glass. Dating back to the 1940s Polynesian craze that swept America, the Mai Tai remains beloved. While purists might debate ingredients, there’s no arguing with the delicious results of this accessible recipe. Ready in just 5 minutes with easy-to-find ingredients, this cocktail turns any gathering into an instant tropical getaway, with no plane ticket required.

homemade Red Lobster Mai Tai cocktail

Why This Recipe Works

The layering technique creates a visually stunning drink while allowing each flavor to shine. The combination of white rum in the base with dark rum floated on top provides complexity that balances perfectly with the sweet-tart fruit juices. Unlike many modern simplified versions, this recipe stays true to the spirit of classic tiki cocktails while remaining accessible for home bartenders.

Mixing Up a Perfect Mai Tai Cocktail

Mai Tais need a good shake to blend correctly. Fill a cocktail shaker with fresh ice and all the Mai Tai ingredients except the Bacardi Dark rum. Hold the shaker with one hand on the bottom and the other on top and shake horizontally for about 10 seconds. Strain the drink into a hurricane glass and garnish with a maraschino cherry and a pineapple spear.

Tips for Making and Serving a Tiki Rum Mai Tai

  • Make a batch in advance for your next party. Everyone loves Mai Tais, so to save time, consider mixing up a dozen or more servings in a clean milk jug and keeping it in the fridge. When someone wants a Mai Tai, shake the jug and pour the drink and float the dark rum on top.
  • Go crazy with the garnishes. The Tiki culture was known for going overboard on just about everything. Few free to go wild by adding a wooden parasol or an edible tropical flower to the glass to really impress your guests.

Check out more of our Tiki cocktails on YouTube!

Ingredients

Wondering what is in a Mai Tai? Here’s a list of what you need:

  • White rum – Forms the base spirit that blends seamlessly with the fruit juices
  • Dark rum – Floated on top to create visual appeal and add rich molasses notes
  • Triple sec – Provides orange flavor and balances the sweetness of the fruit juices
  • Grenadine – Adds beautiful color and subtle pomegranate sweetness
  • Lime juice – Delivers essential acidity that balances the sweet components
  • Pineapple juice – Contributes tropical sweetness and signature Mai Tai flavor
  • Orange juice – Complements the triple sec and adds natural sweetness
  • Pineapple wedge – Serves as a traditional garnish that enhances aroma
  • Maraschino cherries – Adds visual appeal and a sweet finishing touch
Red Lobster Mai Tai ingredients

How to Make a Mai Tai

  1. Pour white rum into a cocktail shaker.
    light rum in a jigger
  2. Add triple sec.
    triple sec in a jigger
  3. Add orange juice.
    orange juice in a jigger
  4. Add lime juice.
    lime juice in a jigger
  5. Add pineapple juice.
    pineapple juice in a jigger
  6. Add grenadine.
    grenadine in a jigger
  7. Shake and pour into a hurricane glass.
  8. Add ice.
  9. Pour dark rum on top.
  10. Garnish with pineapple and cherries.
homemade Red Lobster Mai Tai garnished with pineapple and cherries
homemade Red Lobster Mai Tai cocktail

Red Lobster Mai Tai – Classic Tropical Rum Cocktail

A refreshing tropical Mai Tai cocktail inspired by Red Lobster, blending white and dark rum with fruit juices for the perfect balance of sweet and tangy island flavors.
5 from 5 votes
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Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Cocktail, Mai Tai
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes
Servings: 1
Calories: 278kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ ounces white rum
  • ½ ounce triple sec
  • ½ ounce lime juice
  • 1 ounce pineapple juice
  • 1 ounce orange juice
  • ½ ounce grenadine
  • ¾ ounce dark rum
  • 2 pieces chopped pineapple for garnish
  • 2 maraschino cherries for garnish

Instructions

  • Pour white rum into a cocktail shaker.
  • Add triple sec.
  • Add orange juice.
  • Add lime juice.
  • Add pineapple juice.
  • Add grenadine.
  • Shake and pour into a hurricane cocktail glass.
  • Add ice.
  • Pour dark rum on top.
  • Garnish with pineapple and cherries.

Notes

For the most authentic Mai Tai experience, use quality aged Jamaican rum in place of basic white rum if available. The layering technique with dark rum requires a steady hand—pour slowly over the back of a bar spoon to create the perfect float. For the best flavor, always use freshly squeezed lime juice rather than bottled versions.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 278kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 124mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 71IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg

Favorite Red Lobster Copycat Recipes

Check out my easy cocktail recipes and the best Red Lobster recipes here on CopyKat.

About Stephanie Manley

Stephanie Manley is the creator of CopyKat.com. She has been recreating copycat recipes since 1995. Learn more about Stephanie Manley.

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