Summertime is here again and there’s nothing like a cool, refreshing drink to quench that sweltering summer heat. With its simple, fresh, and soul revitalizing ingredients, the Mojito is the perfect drink to destress, unwind, and help you enjoy life’s simple pleasures.
The Mojito has origins that stem back to Havana, Cuba, so it’s not surprising that this drink was made with the heat in mind. Nothing can quite compare to the invigorating cooling effects of crisp fresh mint, icy, bubbly soda water, bright lime, and clean white rum on a hot body. With one sip, you instantly feel like you’re on vacation, even if you’re just in your backyard.
The classic Mojito is relatively easy to make, needing only a handful of ingredients but should always be made with care. Only the freshest of ingredients and keen attention to the method in which you prepare will prevent you from turning a delicious drink into a bitter disaster. The recipe usually calls for plain white sugar but more authentic versions have been known to use cane sugar. I personally like the richness of flavour that coconut palm sugar adds but everyone has their own way of making this tasty favourite.
Here’s my take on the classic Mojito for you to try.
Ingredients
- 1 fresh lime
- 10 fresh mint leaves
- 1 tablespoon organic coconut palm sugar
- crushed ice
- 1-ounce white rum (Recommendation: Havana Club)
- 1/3 cup club soda
Instructions
- Start by rolling your lime on a hard surface to encourage the oils in the skin and juices within to loosen.
- Cut your lime in half and then in quarters, place four quarters in your glass of choice.
- Take 7 fresh mint leaves, rest them on the palm of your hand and spank them with your other hand to release their fragrance. Add them to your glass after a good spanking.
- To your glass, add the coconut palm sugar.
- Muddle the ingredients together using a muddler. If you don’t have a muddler you can use the back end of a wooden spoon. Make sure not to go overboard when muddling. Press down gently and evenly, do not aggressively mash the ingredients together, it will only make your drink bitter. We are simply trying to release the lime juice and meld the flavours together.
- Add crushed ice on top of your muddled ingredients to fill the glass.
- Add your rum and top with your club soda.
- Gently stir your drink.
- Spank your remaining mint leaves and use them as a garnish to top your drink. You can also garnish with your remaining lime.
- ENJOY.