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Refreshing summer drinks Cocktail hour

Mojito

Published: 09.12.2009 » Last updated: 08.01.2022

The cocktail drink called mojito, favored by Ernest Hemingway (according to urban legend, anyway), comes from Cuba but the exact origins both of the mix and the name are subjects of debates.

Mojito

The mojito has five basic ingredients: rum, mint leaves, sugar, lime (and its juice), and soda water. And ice, of course, so you can enjoy it really, really cold. Mojito, after all, is meant to be a summer drink — something to counter the blistering tropical heat.

Unlike most cocktail drinks that merely require mixing, stirring or shaking, the secret to a good mojito is in the muddling which means slowly bruising (not mashing to a pulp) the lime, mint leaves and sugar at the bottom of a glass so that essential oils are released.

Muddled cocktail drink with Limoncello

How to use a cocktail muddler

A serious cocktail enthusiast should own a muddler. Not as a bar ornament but as a tool for crushing fruit, herbs and spices. Pulverizing them in a blender just won’t do. Trust me, I learned that the sad way.

Read moreHow to use a cocktail muddler

And I can’t emphasize the muddling enough because mojito just doesn’t taste right unless prepared that way. I’ve compared.

At a class reunion at the posh Manila Polo Club, I ordered mojito and the drink came with mint leaves pulverized to smithereens. Obviously, the bartender dumped mixed the mojito in a blender and it was just awful.

The same technique was used by the bartender at a Mexican place where I had dinner and drinks with two girlfriends. Worse, it was so watered down that it was difficult to feel the potency of the alcohol and the contasting tang and sweetness.

After those two disastrous occasions, I refrained from ordering mojito. It’s just much better to make it at home. No shortcuts, no substitutions and no watering down.

Full recipe below

Mojito

Connie Veneracion
Take your time with the muddling to squeeze out the oil and aroma from the lime zest, and the bright refreshing flavor of the mint leaves.
Mojito
Print Save! Saved!
Prep Time 3 mins
Cook Time 0 mins
Total Time 3 mins
Course Drinks
Cuisine Cuban
Servings 1 glass

Ingredients
  

  • ¼ large lime - or half of a medium-sized one
  • 2 to 3 sprigs fresh mint leaves - spearmint is especially good
  • rum - about a tablespoon more than the amount of the juice from the lime
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons sugar
  • soda water
  • ice cubes

Instructions
 

  • Place the lime, mint leaves and sugar in a glass.
  • Muddle them together in a slow but firm circular motion.
  • Add some ice then pour in enough soda water to fill the glass.
  • And that’s it! Enjoy your cold, cold mojito.

Notes

Updated from a recipe originally published in April 15, 2013
Print Save! Saved!
Keyword Lime, Mint Leaves, Rum

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Connie Veneracion, Chiang Mai, 2020

Hi, I’m Connie!

Welcome to Umami Days, a blog that advocates innovative home cooking for pleasurable everyday dining. No trendy diets, no food fads and definitely no ludicrous recipe names like crustless quiche, noodleless pho or chocolate lasagna.

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