The Mojito Mystery
We have all seen it, the cheesy Bacardi commercial (<<< if you havnt click here) where a dozen different women or so are shaking there rumps to some very questionable techno beat all in rhythm to the stud bar tender mashing up a Mojito. But what the hell is a Mojito anyways? I mean come on people at first glance any human with half a brain is going to ask why there are mashed leaves in there cocktail…lets face it this is not an everyday occurrence. So the following is for all those like me out there who took the time to step back and question the foliage in his cocktail. So I hope you enjoy and hey, you just might learn a little something while you are at it.
Mojito (pronounced /m??hi?to?/ (English) IPA: [mo?xito] ((Spanish)) is a traditional Cuban cocktail which became popular in the United States during the late 1980s, and has recently seen a resurgence in popularity.
A mojito is traditionally made of five ingredients: rum, sugar (traditionally sugar cane juice), lime, carbonated water and mint. Its combination of sweetness and refreshing citrus and mint flavors are intended to mask the potent kick of the rum, and have made this clear cocktail a popular summer drink. Many hotels in Havana also add Angostura bitters to cut the sweetness of the mojito; while a popular variation, it is not the original version created in La Bodeguita del Medio.
To make a Mojito, juice from a lime is added to sugar and mint leaves in a tall glass. The mixture is then gently mashed repeatedly with a muddler. Crushed ice is then added, followed by rum and topped off with club soda.
The word mojito is derived from the diminutive of the word mojo.
Mojito Recipies:
Italian Mojito
Ingredients:
- 2 oz of white light rum
- 2 oz Proseco
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp simple syrup
- 1 sprig fresh mint
In a high ball glass place mint leaves, brown sugar, simple syrup and fresh lime juice and muddle. Add ice cubes, pour light rum and top with Italian sparkling wine. Stir directly in the glass. Garnish with fresh mint leaves and fresh lime wheel. (Cocktail By Francensco at Mix, New York 212 583 0300)
Apple Mojito
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 parts Bacardi Big Apple Rum
- 12 fresh spearmint leaves
- 1/2 lime
- 7 parts club soda
- 2 tsp. simple syrup or 4 tsp. sugar
- mint sprigs for garnish
Crush mint leaves and lime in a tall glass. Cover with simple syrup and fill glass with ice. Add rum and club soda, stir well.
Blue Mojito
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. HPNOTIQ liqueur
- 2 oz. Light Rum
- 3 oz. Club Soda
- 6 fresh mint leaves
Shake HPNOTIQ liqueur, light rum and mint leaves with ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a rocks glass and top with club soda.
