Bitter Mai Tai

By Peggy Holden, Tiki Cocktails: 80 Super Summery Drinks
Images
Bitter Mai Tai
Serves
Makes 1 cocktail
Ingredients
  • 1 ounce dark rum
  • 1½ ounces Compari
  • 3 teaspoons orange curacao
  • 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
  • ¾ ounce orgeat syrup (recipe below)
  • Mint sprig for garnish

  • Orgeat Syrup:
  • 1 pound + 2 ounces raw almonds, soaked in warm water for 30 minutes
  • 1 pound + 9 ounces sugar
  • 1¾ ounces brandy


Procedure
Combine the ingredients (except the garnish) in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake, then strain into an old fashioned glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with mint.

To make the orgeat syrup: Drain the almonds and discard the water.

In a food processor, blend the almonds into a paste, adding a little water if needed. Transfer to a bowl and cover with 27 ounces water. Leave to soak for 4 hours.

Strain the almond paste through a muslin cloth-lined sieve. Squeeze the cloth to extract the almond oils. Return the almond paste to the strained water and leave to soak for another 1 to 2 hours. Strain and squeeze again. Repeat the process once more if desired. Discard the almond paste.

In a medium-sized saucepan over low heat, gently nring the almond water to a simmer. Add the sugar and stir until dissolved. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool. Stir in the brandy.

Pour into a sterilized bottle or jar. The syrup will keep in the fridge for up to three months.

Bitter Mai Tai

By Peggy Holden, Tiki Cocktails: 80 Super Summery Drinks
Serves
Makes 1 cocktail
Ingredients
  • 1 ounce dark rum
  • 1½ ounces Compari
  • 3 teaspoons orange curacao
  • 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
  • ¾ ounce orgeat syrup (recipe below)
  • Mint sprig for garnish

  • Orgeat Syrup:
  • 1 pound + 2 ounces raw almonds, soaked in warm water for 30 minutes
  • 1 pound + 9 ounces sugar
  • 1¾ ounces brandy


Procedure
Combine the ingredients (except the garnish) in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake, then strain into an old fashioned glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with mint.

To make the orgeat syrup: Drain the almonds and discard the water.

In a food processor, blend the almonds into a paste, adding a little water if needed. Transfer to a bowl and cover with 27 ounces water. Leave to soak for 4 hours.

Strain the almond paste through a muslin cloth-lined sieve. Squeeze the cloth to extract the almond oils. Return the almond paste to the strained water and leave to soak for another 1 to 2 hours. Strain and squeeze again. Repeat the process once more if desired. Discard the almond paste.

In a medium-sized saucepan over low heat, gently nring the almond water to a simmer. Add the sugar and stir until dissolved. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool. Stir in the brandy.

Pour into a sterilized bottle or jar. The syrup will keep in the fridge for up to three months.