Garden Fresh Recipe - Mojitos from Mexico

Can mojitos really be considered a garden fresh recipe? 

 Mint from my garden

Well, if you're making them from scratch based on a recipe that you got from a Mexican bartender and using mint that you grew yourself, I think that's a recipe!!!  Agree?

Early in the summer I wasn't very brave, and just use the pre-mixed Bacardi brand raspberry mojito stuff.  I added some of the Giant Eagle brand raspberry carbonated water, because I don't like strong drinks.  I added a sprig of fresh mint which I bruised with my straw (to bring out the flavor).  They were certainly yummy, but that Bacardi stuff is expensive.
 

Then, when we were in Mexico I started ordering mojitos.  They were SO. DELICIOUS.  One afternoon, after a couple of hours by the pool bar (DH ordering waters, of course) I observed the bartender making the mojitos and decided that I would try it myself.

Mexican Mojitos

Ingredients:

• Limes (at least one or two)
• Simple syrup
• Club soda (soda water)
• Mint leaves
• Ice
• White rum

First, you need to make simple syrup.  To do this:
1. Microwave 1/2 cup of water in the microwave in a glass mixing cup until it's boiling
2. Add 1 cup of sugar and stir until it's all dissolved and it's clear
3. Refrigerator until it's cool

The simple syrup might have a yellowish hue to it.  Don't worry about that, it doesn't affect the flavor!

Once the syrup is cooled, you can make the actual mojito.  My measurements are very imprecise - basically make a half glass of one, taste it, and then add more of whatever it's lacking! But the general recipe is this.

1. Cut a lime wedge into about 8 wedges.
2. Squeeze the juice of 3 or 4 wedges into a glass and throw in the rind and pulp.
3. Add a generous amount of mint leaves (at least 8 or so, if you like mint)
4. Add a splash of simple syrup.  If you like your mojitos sweet, I would suggest starting with one tablespoon and going from there.
5. Using a spoon, mash it all together in the bottom of the glass.

6. Fill the glass with ice.
7. Add one ounce of the white rum (or more, if you like your drink with a kick.)
8. Fill the rest of the glass with soda water.
9. Squeeze another lime wedge onto the top of the drink, use the wedge as garnish, and then add another mint sprig!

Stir it with a straw or spoon before drinking so that the limey, sweet, minty goodness from the bottom mixes with the club soda and rum. Otherwise, it will taste gross on your first drink!

SO GOOD!

I will admit that it took some experimenting to get to the point of the perfect mojito. I used a much bigger glass than they did in Mexico, so my proportions were off. 

Also, keep in the mind that the simple syrup is ridiculously sweet.  I used a little to much the first time around and it was way sweeter than I wanted. 

If you are a fan of mojitos or are even just interested in trying one, I highly recommend making your own!