Mojito

Mojito (pronounced mo-HEE-toe) is a traditional Cuban cocktail which became quite popular in the United States during the late 1890s.

Cuban Mojito

Ernest Hemingway was fond of the Mojitos at La Bodeguita del Medio in Havana, Cuba, though his recipe had no sugar.

This is how they prepare Mojitos at "La Bodeguita del Medio":

1 teaspoon of sugar (3) 1/4 oz fresh lime juice (2) two mint sprigs (not a forest !) (1) crush gently add 1 & 1/2 oz white cuban rum add ice cubes (4) add two oz soda water (5) stir well garnish with a sprig of mint

The mint leaves should be gently bruised with a muddler or similar implement in the bottom of an empty tall glass. add the sugar and lime, and then the rum. Fill the glass with ice cubes. Mix everything together and top the glass with soda (club soda). Garnish with a fresh sprig of Mint.

(1) the mint used in a mojito is often referred to as "yerba buena". This is a misnomer, as "yerba buena" simply means "good herb" and refers to many different types of mint.

(2) some people like to muddle lime fruit in their mojito, but this is not authentic. Pre-squeeze juice beforehand and pour that into the glass. Lime juice is not meant to make the Mojito a sour drink, but rather freshen it up.

(3) in Cuba they use white sugar. You can take it upon yourself to pre-dilute this with water, in the form of a syrup or mix the white sugar with the lime juice.

(4) Ice Cubes are used in the Cuban Mojito. Crushed ice is favoured in English and American Bars. If also wish to use crushed ice, then do not use soda as the crushed ice will dilute the Mojito sufficiently.

(5) Soda (club soda) is used to top off all Cuban Mojitos. The Mojito is basically a "Rum Collins" but with mint.

Note: The Mojito is based on an older drink called a "Draquecito". Which was named after Sir Francis Drake.

Bacardi mojito

Rum producer Bacardi popularised an updated version of the drink in the early 2000s. It was featured in the action film Bad Boys II, and in 2002 was used in the James Bond movie Die Another Day.

In a cocktail shaker, mix

• 2 shots light rum
• ½ shot of soda water
• 1 teaspoon simple syrup or sugar
• Mint Leaves
• juice from half a lime
• 3 or 4 cubes of ice

Shake well until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is chilled. Now add five whole mint leaves and two handfuls of ice. Shake the mixture just enough to bruise the mint leaves — about 5 seconds is fine; the leaves should remain mostly whole.

Pour the contents of the shaker and the other ½ lime in a tall glass. Room should remain for another 3½ shots of soda water, which should be stirred in gently, to ensure that it does not lose its fizz.

Paradisus Varadero mojito

Another recipe for mojitos from the Paradisus Varadero Resort:

• 1 1/2 ounces of rum (preferably Havana Club)
• Lime juice from one lime
• 3-4 teaspoons of sugar
• Mint Leaves
• Soda Water
• Ice

Combine lime juice, 4 teaspoons sugar, and a large sprig of mint in the bottom of a glass. Grind/bruise the mint leaves. Add plenty of ice, then add the rum, and top off with soda water.

Virgin mojito

Also very tasty is a fauxjito (pronounced foe-HEE-toe), a virgin (without the rum) version of the mojito.

Apple Mojito

A non-alcoholic version of a Mojito, but using crushed ice, and fresh apple juice instead of rum or soda (club soda).