Serve this icy cold refreshment made with rum, mint, and club soda on a hot day. Even better when paired with a spicy meal or cold salad.

Havana, Cuba, is claimed to be the origin of the mojito, although its exact origin is allegedly still debated. It became popular when Ernest Hemingway was living there.

It is said that when pirates invaded Cuba the drink was introduced to Pirate Drake and brought back to the ship when supposedly it was heard that the native people had a medicine for illnesses. Pirate Drake replaced Cuban moonshine with rum. It was called El Draque, until it was renamed Mojito. Mojo is an African word for magic.

EQUIPMENT: 20 oz tumbler, muddler or similar such as a wooden spoon handle

The Perfect Mojito

Recipe by Anna Stockel Cuisine: CubanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

1

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

0

minutes

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon cane sugar

• 1 sprig fresh mint, leaves stripped from stem, approximately 10 leaves

• ice cubes

• 1/4 cup white rum*

• 1 fresh lime, juiced: (about 2 tablespoons)

• club soda (approximately 1/4 cup)

• 1 sprig mint for garnish

Directions

• In tumbler, muddle sugar with mint leaves to release mint flavor.
• Add lime juice.
• Fill the glass with ice cubes, nearly to the top.
• Add rum.
• Top with club soda and stir well.
• Garnish with mint sprig.

Notes

• *for a virgin mojito cocktail replace the rum with simple syrup.