Thursday, July 14, 2011

Making a Pretty Good Mojito

The Mojito is a simple drink that was originally created by the cane cutters of Cuba and made famous by the likes of Hemingway and others.     This is a wonderfully refreshing cocktail that when made right, is a wonderful tasting cocktail that you can not put down.

The Mojito
  • Juice of 1/2 Lime
  • 1/2 (More or Less depending on taste) Cane Syrup
  • 5 to 7 Mint Leaves
  • 1 1/2 oz Rum (Your Choice of Blanco, Gold, Dark or Flavored)
  • Club Soda
The ingredients are simple, but the making of the cocktail is critical to the taste.     The biggest mistake that I've seem people make when making Mojitos it "over muddling".    Mint is a herb and only needs bruising to release the flavors, shredding and crushing only serves to release the tars and ruin the flavor of the cocktail.

First you squeeze the lime juice into the cocktail glass.







Second is to add the Cane Syrup and Mint to the glass.






Third you muddle very lightly.






Fourth you add the Ice.






Fifth is the most important, add the Rum.






Pour into a Bar Shaker and shake until chilled.






And finally pour back into the cocktail glass and top with Club Soda and garnish with a lime and a sprig of Mint if you like.


Photos by Tom at Island Hopper Photos





Sit back and enjoy this wonderful cocktail from the wonderful people just 90 mile to our south.     The Mojito is a wonderful and simple cocktail that is so often the victim of an over zealous bartender, and the Mojito is the loser every time.   KISS couldn't apply more when you make these simple little cocktails.   ;o)