Guava Mai Tai

The Guava Mai Tai is a tropical spin on the classic tiki cocktail, bringing new layers of fruit and aroma to a timeless favorite. This version blends smooth guava nectar with pineapple and fresh citrus for a juicy, refreshing base. Layered rums add warmth and complexity, while a touch of floral orange blossom water lifts the drink with a subtle fragrance. The result is a cocktail that feels both familiar and exciting, balancing sweetness, spice, and bright tropical notes. Served over ice and garnished with fresh fruit, the Guava Mai Tai is perfect for summer evenings or festive gatherings. Inspired by the.sauceress.

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Tasting Notes

The Guava Mai Tai delivers a smooth mix of tropical fruit, spiced rum warmth, and subtle floral notes. The guava nectar brings a rounded sweetness, complemented by pineapple and mango’s tropical depth. Orgeat provides a soft almond base that blends seamlessly with the citrus tang of lime. Orange blossom water adds a light aromatic lift, while the bitters bring everything into balance. The rum blend gold and aged spiced adds a rich, layered finish. This drink is slightly sweet, bright with fruit, and mellowed by spice, making it ideal for slow sipping over ice.

Equipment and Glassware

To prepare the Guava Mai Tai, you’ll need a standard cocktail shaker and a Hawthorne strainer for shaking and pouring. A jigger ensures precise measurement of each ingredient, especially for small amounts like orange blossom water or bitters. Use a citrus squeezer if juicing fresh lime. Nugget ice is preferred for serving, so a crushed ice machine or a mallet and Lewis bag may come in handy. Serve the drink in a hurricane glass to hold the full volume and ice. Bar tongs or garnish picks are useful for placing the pineapple slice and edible flowers with care.

Ingredients

• 0.75 oz gold rum
• 0.75 oz aged spiced rum
• 0.5 oz orgeat
• 1 oz guava nectar
• 0.5 oz pineapple juice
• 0.5 oz orange mango juice
• 0.25 oz lime juice
• 0.25 oz orange blossom water
• 3 dashes bitters
• Garnish: Edible flowers and pineapple slice

Instructions

• Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.
• Shake until well chilled.
• Strain into a hurricane glass filled with nugget ice.
• Garnish with edible flowers and a pineapple slice.

Pro Tips

• Use high-quality orgeat for better almond depth.
• Aged spiced rum adds complexity avoid overly sweet versions.
• Chill your hurricane glass beforehand to help maintain temperature.
• Guava nectar works best when it’s not from concentrate.
• Add a small float of dark rum for extra richness.
• Shake with pebble ice for faster chilling and better dilution.
• Don’t skip the bitters they help keep sweetness in check.
• Add a sprig of fresh mint for a brighter aroma.
• Try small batch bitters for a personalized flavor spin.
• If using canned juices, opt for unsweetened versions.

When to Serve

The Guava Mai Tai fits perfectly at summer gatherings, tiki-themed parties, or beachside happy hours. Its bold fruit flavor and layered rums make it suitable for relaxed evenings or weekend brunches. Serve it during backyard barbecues or tropical-themed events where vibrant drinks are welcome. It’s also an excellent option for anyone who enjoys lighter drinks that still carry some complexity. Whether you’re by the pool or winding down after a long day, this cocktail brings refreshment with just enough flair to make the moment feel special.

Which Liquor Brands to Choose

Gold Rum

• Appleton Estate Signature
• Bacardi Gold
• Mount Gay Eclipse
• Flor de Caña 4 Year
• Havana Club Añejo Especial

Aged Spiced Rum

• Chairman’s Reserve Spiced
• Sailor Jerry
• Captain Morgan Private Stock
• The Kraken Black Spiced Rum
• Bumbu Spiced Rum

Similar Cocktails

• Apricot Rum Fizz
• Mango Mai Tai
• Tropical Pineapple Paradise
• Guava Bay Breeze
• Frozen Dragon Fruit Piña Colada