Aaahhh ~~ Mojitos!

I didn't discover mojito's until a few years ago, and I cannot believe it took me that long to find this incredible drink. I have long been a fan of rum over all other spirits, and this tropical delight fits so well into my beverage repertoire, that it's like it was invented just for me.

My first mojito wasn't in Key West as you would expect, but rather at a friend's party in Virginia. There were regular and mango mojito's and it was love at first sight for me. I now grow my own mint and am on the quest for the perfect muddler (I prefer the wooden ones, for the record). So, sit back and relax and see what other tidbits I have picked up about Ernest Hemingway's favorite drink.

The Original Recipe From La Bodeguita del Medio

• 1 teaspoon powdered sugar
• Juice from 1 lime (2 ounces)
• 4 mint leaves
• 1 sprig of mint
• Havana Club white Rum (2 ounces)
• 2 ounces club soda

Place the mint leaves into a long mojito glass (often called a "collins" glass) and squeeze the juice from a cut lime over it. You'll want about two ounces of lime juice, so it may not require all of the juice from a single lime. Add the powdered sugar, then gently smash the mint into the lime juice and sugar with a muddler (a long wooden device pictured below, though you can also use the back of a fork or spoon if one isn't available). Add ice (preferably crushed) then add the rum and stir, and top off with the club soda (you can also stir the club soda in as per your taste). Garnish with a mint sprig.

Tricks, Tips, & Variations

There are some things that you must have to make a mojito: rum, lime and mint flavor, sweetness, and ice. But, once you have made a mojito, you can try to get creative.

As for the rums - light rums work best for a standard mojito, they have a clear crisp flavor that is complemented by the lime and mint. There are also a number of flavored rums that are quite good in mojito's. You might really enjoy them in a flavored mojito as shown below in To Make Other Flavors:.

For the standard mojito, you can find a number of very good premade mojito mixes. I honestly would hesitate to tell you to order these over the internet simply because these bottles are heavy and your shipping costs would be high. Check out your local beverage store or supermarket. (Roses's makes a very tasty one.) These pre-made mixes are meant as a substitute for the lime and mint muddling and the simple syrup (or straight sugar). In my opinion, you cannot have a mojito without at the very least some lime wedges. Drop a wedge or two into your glass and muddle it before you add the mojito mix according to directions - you won't be sorry.

There is also some debate on whether simple syrup or sugar is better: I like them both equally well. The advantage to the sugar is when you pour it onto the lime and mint before muddling, it's natural abrasiveness adds something to the flavors. The advantage to the simple syrup is that you can make a quantity of it to have on hand and it is easy to store and measure to serve. (You can also infuse your simple syrup with a complimentary flavor or with mint if you so inclined.)

And, as for the mint: you won't believe the difference it makes to have fresh mint in your glass for this drink. In the summer months, I have two pots of it that I grow for use (mint is a very invasive plant, and if you put it into a bed, be very aware that it will spread and take over); in the winter, when I need to be reminded what summer is, I get some fresh in the herb section of the supermarket. Should you use spearmint or peppermint? I have found that both are equally good in mojitos.

The Bacardi Mojito Recipe

An easy mojito cocktail recipe to liven up your evening:

• 1.5 oz BACARDI Rum
• 12 fresh spearmint leaves
• 1/2 lime
• 7 oz club soda
• 2 tbsp. simple syrup (or 4 tsp. sugar)

For the smoothest mojitos, gently crush mint leaves and lightly squeeze lime in a cool tall glass. Pour sweet syrup on top to cover and fill glass with ice. Add Bacardi Rum, club soda, and stir well. Garnish with a lime wedge and a few sprigs of mint.

Mango Mojito Recipe

Ingredients:

15 to 20 Mint Leaves
3/4 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
3/4 oz. Simple Syrup
3 oz. Matusalem Platino Rum
1/2 oz. Mango Purée
2 1/2 oz. Club Soda

Preparation:

In a mixing glass, muddle mint leaves, lime juice and sugar vigorously. Add ice, rum, mango purée, syrup and soda, stir thoroughly and pour into a tall glass. Garnish with a mint leaf.

To Make Other Flavors:

As you can see from the pictures below, there are other tasty flavor variations possible for a mojito also. To achieve these, swap out your desired fruit (purée form or flavoring) for the mango in the above recipe. You can also add a chunk or two of the whole fruit to the lime and mint when you muddle them. This is what was done with the strawberry and the pineapple mojito's, which is why they are cloudier and have a different color.