Mai Tais for a Crowd

by Michelle

   Greetings 2011. Nice to meet you. Our relationship is off to a good start. We met at a party. We had Mai Tais. Fortunately, the morning after, we can still remember each other's names. I get a feeling that we're going to be really great friends. I hope we will have a lot of fun together. Let's go out to eat, or stay in, whatever you want to do. I like to travel, meet new people, dive into new experiences. I hope you feel the same way because I think we could have a blast. I know it's early in our relationship, and I don't really want to make too many commitments, but hey, sometimes you just have to throw caution to the wind and simply say yes. And right now, I think I'll say yes to another Mai Tai. Want one, too?

Mai Tais for a Crowd

   This is a recipe that I picked up along the way and put in my files. Unfortunately, I don't know the author, but I can say with some assurance that we like to go to the same parties.
  The original recipe doesn't name names on the rums, so I consulted my favorite tropical drinks book, "Sippin' Safari" by mixologist Jeff Berry, also known as Beachbum Berry. I have a feeling we could be friends and perhaps one of these days we'll make each other's acquaintance. "BB" is the best source I know for tropical drink recipes and Tiki culture lore. Not only is the book filled with tasty tropical drinks, but it is an absolutely fascinating read as well.
   This recipe makes one gallon of Mai Tais, about 32 servings. I make the concoction a day ahead and refrigerate until very cold. Serve over ice cubes with a freshly cut slice of pineapple and an all natural maraschino cherry. I recommend cherries by The Silver Palate that omit red dye and preservatives. Yep, those kind of maraschino cherries actually exist - as nature intended. A good source is Whole Foods Market.

2 cups Cruzan aged rum
1 cup Myers's dark rum
1 cup Bacardi 151 proof rum
1 cup orange Curacao (not the blue stuff)
1 cup Orgeat syrup (almond flavored sugar syrup)
1 cup simple syrup
the juice of 10 limes (about 1-3/4 cups)
1/2 gallon fresh orange juice (preferrably not from concentrate)

1. In  large glass canister, combine all the ingredients. Stir and top off with orange juice. Enjoy and make a new friend!