Memorial Day Mojito!

I love my mojitos. Ever since Juan at the resort I stayed at when I was in Cabo San Lucas started bringing them to me daily….

Let’s take a minute and go there. Shall we?

Okay. I’m back.

Mmmm. Vacation. Mint Mojitos. Now I feel the need to get everyone else hooked on them, too.

Of course, they are naturally gluten free.

There are a plethora of mojito recipes out there, but I have come to believe the key is using a terrific, gold (amber) rum plus using simple syrup instead of sugar.

Please note that I am a complete mojito snob. And when I order them, I compare them all to the ones that Juan made. I think my version did his justice.

I did go through the process of learning how to make simple syrup (sugar water…but cooked like you would cook candy so you turn it into a syrup), but it’s terribly time consuming when you just want to mix a drink for some friends.

Does regular sugar work? No. Heck no. I don’t know why recipes call for it. It ruins the mojito. I realize bartenders everywhere may dispute that…but it’s only because they don’t have a bottle of pre made simple syrup on hand.

I didn’t even know you could BUY simple syrup in a bottle until recently. Sigh. I’ll just chalk all that time up trying to boil sugar water to the right consistency to a newly found appreciation for the stuff in the bottle.

For Memorial Day, I didn’t make this red/white/blue. I made it a pure mint and rum mojito and then had a toast to all of my friends, family and other heroes who haven given the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

God bless them. And God Bless the USA.

Memorial Day Mojito

Servings
3-4 small high ball drinks or 2-3 larger glasses

Ingredients

8 oz gold (amber) rum
6 Tbsp simple syrup
12-15 whole mint leaves

9 whole limes
8-10 whole ice cubes
2 cups club soda

Directions

Pour the rum and simple syrup into a drink shaker.
Add the mint leaves and the juice of 8 limes (the 9th lime is to slice for garnish)
Muddle to release the mint flavor. If you don't have a muddler, skip this step and then get one next time your'e out!)
Shake. Pour evenly into glasses over ice. Top with soda. Garnish with more lime and mint.

Prep Time: 15 - 20 Minutes

Total Time: 15 - 20 Minutes