A Passion for Mojitos
PUBLISHED ON: 04.21.2009
A traditional mojito has long been considered a classic drink in its native country of Cuba. A concoction of white rum, lime, fresh mint and sugar. A perfect mojito is fresh, minty, never heavy, never too sweet-just perfect.
Every spring with the arrival of warm weather, the craving for the perfect mojito begins. In a performed ritual, my husband pulls the mint from our backyard that will be muddled (smashed with a back of a wooden spoon or a muddle) together with sliced limes. The addition of simple syrup is prepared by infusing the syrup with grated orange rind to add just a hint of orange flavor, as there will be plenty of mojitos, and other cocktails made throughout the summer that will require this luscious syrup. So, if your lips are already smacking together in lust for your own mojito, and the photo of the first prepared mojito of the season is nothing less than inviting, kick back and enjoy the recipe below.
Orange Infused Simple Syrup Recipe:
2-cups water
2-cups sugar
Zest of 1 orange
Place water, sugar and orange zest in a saucepan. Cook until the sugar is dissolved. Cool completely. Pour into a clean glass jar. Store in the refrigerator.
Fred’s Mojito Cocktail Recipe: ( serves 1)
1-lime thinly sliced
3-4 large fresh mint leaves
1/4 cup orange infused simple syrup
1/8 cup club soda
2/3 cup good quality white rum ( suggestion: Flora de Cana Extra Dry White Rum)
Place thinly sliced limes and mint in a tall clear glass. Muddle or smash the limes and mint until the juice has been extracted from the lime. Add simple syrup, club soda and white rum. Fill glass with ice and stir.
Karen T
mmmm….could go for a Fred Mojito right now!! Great blog
Unknown
I am not a drinker but this Summer I am learning about fine drinks and their flavors. I figured it is time to add some more culture to my life.
Anonymous
Holy Shiitake V! I\’m wowed by your pic. Very professional looking.
Loek
mmm, I should start making cocktails again, I miss Fred\’s Mojito\’s. Maybe something for the weekend 😉
Gayle
I had no idea my brother was so talented!! What other libations does he conjure up?
Loek
It is two years later now… but I'll be making fred's mojito this evening 🙂