Mojito: Will Leaves in a Drink Even Taste Good?

What sugar cane drink was popular among the slaves in Cuba? That would be the Mojito, which is one of the most famous rum-based drinks.

Photo credit: http://img2.timeinc.net/health/images/gallery/eating/minty-iced-green-tea-400x400.jpg

History of the Mojito: The Mojito originated in Cuba where the African slaves who worked in the sugar cane fields that held the sugar cane juice guarapo, which was actually the drink the slaves favorite at the time. The name is said to have come from mojadito, a Spanish word for “a little wet” and mojo, which is a Cuban seasoning, made from lime. Another fun fact, author Ernest Hemingway’s favorite drinkw was a Mojito and made a the bar ‘La Bodeguita del medio’ famous writing “My mojito in La Bodeguita, My daiquiri in El Floridita” on the war of the bar. Pretty cool, huh?

For a pretty intense history, this drink is pretty basic. It is always served on the rocks or over ice. Traditionally, there are five ingredients you need: white rum, sugar, lime juice, sparkling water or club soda, and mint leaves.  First add lime juice to sugar or syrup with the mint leaves before gently mashing the ingredients together. After add rub to the mixture and stir for the sugar to dissolve. Then add sparkling water or club soda. Like extra mint? You can garnish the drink with mint leaves and lime wedges for that extra presentation kick! If you are worried about your guests being out in the sun and drinking, don’t fret! This drink has a relatively low alcohol content.

Mojito Recipe

Prep time: 5 minutes

Servings: 4

What you need:

Ice

6 ounces light or white rum

12 mint sprigs

6 tablespoons fresh lime juice

4 tablespoons sugar

Club soda

4 slices lime

How-to:

Place ice in beverage shaker then add in the rum, 8 broken up mint sprigs, lime juice and the sugar. Shake well and serve over ice. Top each glass off with club soda to fill the rim.

Recipe can be found at http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alex-garcia/mojito-recipe/index.html

In my opinion the best thing about this drink is that flavors can be added. My personal favorite: Wildberry Mojito!

So, here is the recipe for it!

Prep time: 10 minutes

Servings: 1

What you need:

1-1/2 oz. Bacardi Light Rum

3-4 each of fresh blackberries, blueberries and red raspberries

8-12 fresh mint leaves

Juice of one lime

1 oz. simple syrup

Soda water

Mint sprig for garnish

How-to:

In a 12-oz highball glass, muddle mint, simple syrup, wild berries and lime juice. Fill glass with crushed ice then add rum. Stir well until ice is reduced by 1/3, then top with more crushed ice, stirring until the glass begins to frost on the outside. Spritz with soda water and stir one last time. Garnish with sprig of fresh mint.

Recipe can be found at http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/wild-berry-mojjito.html

So now are you going to enjoy a mint mojito? Or are you going to try throwing some fruit in your drink for a whole new array of flavors?