Mojito

Mojito (pronounced mo-HEE-toe) is a traditional Cuban highball that consists of five ingredients: white rum, sugar (traditionally sugar cane juice), lime juice, sparkling water, and mint. The original Cuban recipe uses spearmint or yerba buena, a mint variety very popular on the island. Its combination of sweetness, refreshing citrus, and mint flavors is intended to complement the potent kick of the rum, and has made this clear highball a popular summer drink. The cocktail has a relatively low alcohol content (about 10 percent alcohol by volume).

The oldest-known recipe for the mojito appeared as the Mojo de Ron in a 1929 Cuban guide called Libro de Cocktail (The Cocktail Book).

While Mojitos are best made fresh, a Mojito mix can be made ahead by muddling the mint with sugar and lime juice. Add the rum, strain and refrigerate until ready to use. When ready to serve, pour the mix over crushed ice and add club soda. Top with a fresh mint sprig.

1/2 recipe in ( ).

1/2 cup fresh mint leaves (1/4 cup)
1/3 cup sugar (2.6 tablespoons)
1/2 cup fresh lime juice (key lime) (1/4 cup)
1 cup white rum (1/2 cup)
 Crushed ice
 Club soda
 Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish
 Lime slices, for garnish

Muddle mint leaves with sugar and lime in a pitcher. The mint leaves should only be bruised to release the essential oils and should not be shredded.

Add rum; stir to dissolve sugar.

Strain mixture into tall glasses. (Recipe makes 1 1/3 cups base mix. This could be made earlier in the day and used to make the drinks later.)

Add ice to each drink; top with club soda. Garnish drinks with mint sprigs and lime slices.

Makes 4 (10-oz.) cocktails (2 oz. of rum per drink)