The Perfect Mojito

If you’re like me you have had a wide gamut of Mojitos. Some are too sweet, some the mint is so beaten up that every time you drink you get a mouthful of bits. Sometimes though you get that perfect Mojito, not too sweet, not too minty, refreshing and ice cold that makes you remember why you love them.

At the neighborhood pool one evening, a mom friend of mine said, “Should I go grab some snacks for us?”. The key point about this question is “for us” meaning not Fruit Snacks and graham crackers. Side note: she lives right across the street so it’s not like I’m making her drive across town to get me some tacos or something.

She returns with fresh bruschetta and this delicious apple and brie crostini with fig jam THAT SHE MADE FROM SCRATCH. When we’re leaving the pool and I suggest we do it again some time she says, “Let’s do it at my house so we can have drinks!”. I’m thinking right on! Then she says, “And let’s have a theme!”. At this point I’m thinking I’m really going to have to step up my game. Store bought chips and dip will not fly with this girl.

Since it’s amazingly hot here (as I’m typing it’s 103° with a ‘feels like’ of 109°) we decided on MOJITOS first since #priorities so One Night in Havana it was!

If you’re like me you have had a wide gamut of Mojitos. Some are too sweet, some the mint is so beaten up that every time you drink you get a mouthful of bits. Sometimes though you get that perfect Mojito, not too sweet, not too minty, refreshing and ice cold that makes you remember why you love them. Like Carmen Miranda love them.

Even though Carmen was Luso-Brazilian, not Cuban. Hey, don’t judge it’s not like I could go to Party City to pickup Cuban themed decor!

If you aren’t mixing your own drinks at home, you are really missing out. No one knows exactly how you like it except for you, or maybe your spouse if they’ve been properly trained, and there’s nothing better than having a perfect cocktail. Well your first born and world peace and all that jazz, but you know what I’m talking about.

Once you get down your perfect Mojito, there are a million fun things to do with it. Mash up a couple strawberries or any other fruit with the lime. Top with a splash of any juice. Add a drop of vanilla extract or muddle an inch of vanilla bean if you’re fancy. A simple variation is using flavored sparkling water. My favorite right now is Coconut La Croix. It adds just enough coconut flavor to be fun and tropical without making me feel like I’m drinking suntan lotion.

Want to go big? Use champagne instead of sparkling water. BOOM

So without further ado, here is how to make the perfect Mojito. Tweak it exactly to your liking and you’ll live happily ever after. Or at least take the edge off. Did I mention there’s 10 days until school starts? *eye twitch*

The Perfect Mojito

Chef Shelley

Of course this recipe can be doubled, pitchered, bathtubbed etc. I made this in a 12oz glass. The size of the glass will affect how much sparkling water you use and how strongly flavored your mojito will be. You do not need an official bartending muddler. I use a small fondant rolling pin. A wooden spoon, a tall spice jar, an ice cream scoop, a small whisk, anything that's long and thin enough to fit into the glass that can smash up the limes and sugar will work.

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Prep Time 3 mins

Total Time 3 mins

Servings 1

Ingredients

  

• 1-2 tablespoons turbinado sugar
• 1/2 of a lime cut into wedges
• 2 average sized mint leaves
• 1.5 oz of white rum three tablespoons
• Seltzer club soda, sparkling water

Instructions

 

• Put sugar and lime wedges into the glass and muddle until at least half of the sugar has dissolved.
• Add the mint and muddle until it's bruised, just a few times. Too much and the mint will break up and you'll drink it.
• Add rum and stir thoroughly.
• Add ice. Top with sparkling water. Stir gently.