Well, the heat is on and, in such sweltering circumstances, my favorite drink is a mojito... Through the years, I have perfected a recipe which I think is quite deadly. Here it is and, if you have your own recipe, I'd like to have it to try it and compare.
Nick's Mojito : 2 ounces of anejo rum (I use HC, but any anejo will do -- do not use French Antilles rum, the cane sugar taste comes out too strong). 1 ounce of freshely squeezed lime juice. 2 ounces of simple sirup (warmed for 10 seconds in the microwave). A generous handful of coarsely shopped mint leaves.
Put the mint in a tall glass, add the warm sirup, crush leaves in the syrup (with a large spoon handle or something). Add lime juice and rum, crush a little more. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes. Add three large icecubes and fill with Club Soda (Perrier is not adequate: the mineral taste cuts through the mojito.)
2oz of sugar syrup? Oh well one man's meat etc..I tend to go for the more traditional muddling and crushed ice approach. Either way a delicious beverage.
Of course, you can put a little less syrup in the mix to suit your taste, but -- by general opinion -- at least 1 on. and a half. What's important is that the mint will slightly infuse in the warm syrup and concentrate the flavor.
I realize this isn't the most traditional mojito but its pretty good anyway and really easy. I've been messing around with different recipes for a year or so now and this one is the easiest to make a lot of, which is the only way to drink mojitos. Here's what you need:
1 bag mexican or key limes 7 up rum ice mint
Fill a shaker with ice. Pour in juice of 2 key limes, 1.5 oz rum, and a handful of mint. Shake briefly and strain over ice. Top up with 7 up and more mint.
The shaker is my favorite way to make these. If you overshake it you will get little flakes of mint. I don't mind this personally. Also, this comes out great with 7 up but don't even think of using sierra mist or slice. They are much sweeter tasting and will not make a very good mojito. Plain old 7 up is the only shortcut that will work adequately.
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im also all for the muddling. the mint releases more aroma when your bashing it to a pulp in the sugar and rum. Once the mint has suffered enough i throw in some ice cubes squeeze in a quarter lime and add the secret ingredient........ tonic water. I think mojitos are best if you make them one at a time, they need the love. My 2 cents take it or leave it.
**S.H.U.T.U.P. #4** R.O.C.A #0012
By the way, if you don't like it, start you own magazine and web site... - James Suckling
Posts: 989 | Location: Victoria ,BC. Canada | Registered: December 28, 2004
Hey I just improvised a lemon mojito that is pretty stellar.
I blended 1/2 lemon with the juice of 4 lemons and 3 limes. Then I mixed that with 1 cup mint infused simple syrup. Pour about 2 oz of that over ice with 2 oz of rum and 4 oz club soda. Not half bad. Next time I'll cut down the sugar.
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2 oz. white or light rum 1 tsp of sugar (adjust to taste) 1 lime Approx. 4 sprigs of mint (you'll want a good 15 or more leaves of mint) 6 oz. club soda or other sparkling water
Get yourself a small bowl. Roll lime on counter, cut the lime in half, squeeze the juice from one half or all of lime into the bowl and add the sugar/cane juice then stir a little to mix it up. Add your mint leaves to the bowl, then either using a muddling stick or the back of a spoon, muddle the mint leaves in the lime/sugar mixture. The important thing with muddle is NOT to rip up the leaves, just gently crush them (without tearing the leaf up) under the muddler/spoon to release the mint oils, if you rip it up, you'll be picking mint out of your teeth the whole time and that's no good.
Add the mint/lime/sugar mix to a glass or mixer. Take the 2 oz. of rum and swish it around the bowl to pick up any undissolved sugar and pour that in the glass or mixer with the other stuff. Take the remaining lime half, cut into four pieces, and add that to the concoction. Add most of the club soda, but save a little, and put in 3 or 4 ice cubes. Now mix the stuff up (I recommend just swishing it between two glass, if you put the cap on a cocktail mixer and try to shake it, the carbonation's gonna make it explode). Pour into a highball glass, try to make the ice come out on top to serve as a buffer between the vegetable matter and your lips, and top with remaining club soda. Add sprig of mint for garnish and enjoy!
Scot Bloomington, IN
Posts: 84 | Location: Bloomington, IN | Registered: March 10, 2004
I took the lady out for dinner last week and we went to the Canoe club here in VIctoria. They were serving raspberry mojitos. I didnt have one but they looks awsome, pink with the green leaves. (definitly girly, but i wouldnt mind trying to make one at home)
**S.H.U.T.U.P. #4** R.O.C.A #0012
By the way, if you don't like it, start you own magazine and web site... - James Suckling
Posts: 989 | Location: Victoria ,BC. Canada | Registered: December 28, 2004
Originally posted by dre: I took the lady out for dinner last week and we went to the Canoe club here in VIctoria. They were serving raspberry mojitos. I didnt have one but they looks awsome, pink with the green leaves. (definitly girly, but i wouldnt mind trying to make one at home)
I must say Dre, a Raspberry Mojito sound quit refreshing. Im gonna have to create one of those at home as well. Thanks for the idea sweetheart.
Originally posted by dre: I took the lady out for dinner last week and we went to the Canoe club here in VIctoria. They were serving raspberry mojitos. I didnt have one but they looks awsome, pink with the green leaves. (definitly girly, but i wouldnt mind trying to make one at home)
I must say Dre, a Raspberry Mojito sound quit refreshing. Im gonna have to create one of those at home as well. Thanks for the idea sweetheart.
Sweetheart? *Blush*
**S.H.U.T.U.P. #4** R.O.C.A #0012
By the way, if you don't like it, start you own magazine and web site... - James Suckling
Posts: 989 | Location: Victoria ,BC. Canada | Registered: December 28, 2004
