Bartenders Tell Us The Best Dark Rums To Add To A Mai Tai

Summer is the perfect time for tiki. What could be more summery than fruity, tropical, boozy cocktails? We honestly can’t think of anything. Zilch. Plus, we’re all about rum, tequila, and gin-based cocktails during the steamy, summer months (with a Fourth of July cameo by bourbon).

When it comes to Tiki-style drinks, we all have our go-to bottles. But since June 30th is National Mai Tai Day, the time is right to celebrate this drink containing multiple rums that’s remained popular since its inception in 1944. Since we prefer dark rum to white rum, we decided to ask some of our favorite bartenders to tell us the dark rums they prefer to mix into their mai tai recipes for the perfect summer sipper.

Copalli Barrel Rested

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Belize, California and now New York.

A post shared by Copalli Rum (@copallirum) on Jun 21, 2019 at 4:16pm PDT

Cameron Shaw, head bartender at The Lookup in New York City

I love to use Copalli Barrel Rested for a Mai Tai. Using an aged rum in a Mai Tai is key, as is the brighter, grassy notes of a rum distilled from fresh cane juice. The Copalli delivers on both of these and makes for a well-rounded, delicious cocktail with just enough funk without needing to split the base with a Jamaican rum as well.

Plus, I’m deeply invested in brands that follow sustainable practices and make their products with regard for the environment and their communities. Copalli definitely delivers on this vision with their distillery in Belize.

Appleton Estates VX

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La versión anterior es la que me gusta de Appleton Estate, si te fijas en el centro arriba tiene V/X, la Nueva dice 1749. Ron Appleton Estate, Ron de Jamaica . . #ron #rhum #run #appletonestate #appletonestaterum #ronappletonestate #appletonestaterhum #win #epicwin #trending #recipies #drink #mydailydrink #pr #jamaica #appleton #unidosporelron #ronappletonestate #appletonestatevx

A post shared by Ron infinito (@roninfinito) on Apr 9, 2018 at 5:49pm PDT

Jane Danger, national mixologist at Pernod Ricard

I like using a blend of Jamaican rum, and Agricole rhum. Appleton VX, Hamilton Gold, and Jm Blanc are my current favorites. I’m also partial to using Boukman Rhum as a base, which is an aromatized Agricole rhum from Haiti.

Captain Morgan Spiced Rum

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Tanssii kielellä! #captainmorganspicedrum

A post shared by Ville Jokitalo (@villejokitalo) on Jun 15, 2019 at 7:31am PDT

Shane DeForest, bar manager at The Spot in San Marcos, Texas

Captain Morgan spiced rum is always a good go-to. The “spiced” factor is a fun and unique twist. Plus, almost every bar will have it. There’s no need to mess around with a rum that only a handful of bars carry.

Smith and Cross Navy Strength

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Smith and Cross. English style again. A lot of arrak. 57%. Wonderful! I give it #rum #smithandcross #smithandcrossrum

A post shared by TAKT Percussion (@takt_percussion) on Mar 2, 2019 at 7:04am PST

Phil Testa, beverage manager at Dream Midtown in New York City

I love using Smith and Cross Navy Strength when making a mai tai (or any tiki drink for that matter) due to the tropical flavors it has. It’s high proof, so it packs a punch, along with the extra-ripe banana and melon flavors.

I make mine with a homemade toasted pistachio orgeat, so the layers of flavors really complement each other well.

El Dorado 5 Year Cask Aged

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#craftcocktail @eccorooftop #eldorado5year passion fruit pineapple #fentimans lime #iwishiwasonabeach @skurnikwines #bethelct #rooftoplove

A post shared by ECCO Rooftop Eatery And Bar (@eccorooftop) on Jun 16, 2016 at 1:03pm PDT

Jason Banks, bar manager at Krause’s Café + Biergarten in New Braunfels, Texas

I like to use A Demerara Rum (rum rendered from unrefined sugar), specifically El Dorado 5 Year Cask Aged. Most recipes call for a mixture of light and dark rums. Mai Tai’s are probably the best cocktail to come out of the Tiki drink era, but most are known for being super sweet. To bring this drink into the new age I try to lay off the sugar added to the drink and let the caramel flavorings of a demerara rum do the work.

For a little something extra, I like to float a dram of Myers Dark Rum on top and down the straw.

Plantation O.F.T.D.

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The good stuff!!! Now that I've been for a run, I can enjoy some of this! #rum #rumnotrun #plantation #plantationrum #plantationpineapple #plantationOFTD #drinks

A post shared by Matti Rambo (@matti_rambo) on Jun 10, 2019 at 2:14am PDT

Chris Heinrich, lead bartender at Tre Rivali in Milwaukee

Mai Tai Rum: Often my agent of heft in two-rum pairings for mai tais is Plantation O.F.T.D. It’s big and bold and rich, and clocking in at 69% ABV, a little goes a long way in providing big legs for the Mai Tai to stand on.

Santa Teresa

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Rum and cigar for this midweek day! Up we go!! Happy Hump Day! Happy National Cigar Day! Cheers!!! • • • #happyhumpday #miamiafternoons #rumlover #rumpic #rumworld #rumporn #rumandcigars #rumdrinker #venezuelanrum #santateresarum #santateresarum1796 #nowdrinking #cigarworld #cigarlover #cigaraficionado #cigarporn #cigarpic #nowsmoking #cigarandrum #cigargram #cigarofinstagram #aganorsa #aganorsacigars #botl #chillax #dayoff

A post shared by Eduardo F. Rodriguez (@edfrod) on Feb 27, 2019 at 3:25pm PST

Sam Garcia, Head Bartender at Boleo Rooftop in Chicago

Mai Tai Rum? At the moment I’m really enjoying Santa Teresa Rum. It’s a blended rum from Venezuela with allspice and nutmeg flavors that complements orgeat syrup very well.

Appleton Estate Reserve Blend

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#appleton #AppletonEstate #AppletonEstatereserveBlend #AppletonEstateRareBlend12 #leon #rum #rhum #jamaica #joyspence

A post shared by Don Tiki Loco (@luigui_rickitiki) on Mar 24, 2017 at 6:31pm PDT

Josh Cameron, head bartender at Boulton & Watt New York City

I love mixing Appleton Estate Reserve Blend — mainly because I don’t have to pick just one rum, and can have a little of all 20 rums that are present in the blend. Appleton’s Reserve Blend has leading notes of oak, smoke, and nutmeg, that pair well and create a great balance.

Rhum Clement Premiere Canne