In 1944 after success with several exotic drinks, a bit of serendipity happened that would not only place Trader Vic at the forefront of cocktail mixology, but would also earn him a place in history. That day in Oakland, The Trader pulled down a bottle of 17 year old Jamaican Rum, added a squeeze of lime, a dash of rock candy syrup, a splash of orange curacao, some French Orgeat and poured the concoction over cracked ice. He handed to a friend visiting from Tahiti who immediately exclaimed, “It’s Mai Tai Roa Ae!” (Tahitian for “Out of this world- The Best”), and the first Mai Tai was born- Paradise in a Glass.
"Where those merry souls who make drinking a pleasure, who achieve contentedness long before capacity, and who whenever they drink prove able to carry it, enjoy it, and remain ladies & gentlemen."
Victor Bergeron