Mojito Cocktail

The mojito was born in Havana, Cuba. There are many variations of the drink. This recipe calls for the five customary ingredients of mint, rum, powdered sugar, lime, and club soda. If you are throwing a Havana or Cuban theme party, plan on serving these fashionable yet traditional mojitos.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 mint leaves
• 1 lime (for juicing)
• 1 teaspoon powdered sugar
• 2 ounces white rum
• 2 ounces club soda
• 1 sprig of mint (for garnishing)
• crushed ice

Preparation:

There are countless recipes for the Mojito (pronounced moh-HEE-toh), but this version is for the one Hemingway himself enjoyed at the Mojito's place of birth: La Bodeguita del Medio in Havana, Cuba.  If you are throwing a Cuban theme party (Havana night themed party), definitely plan on serving mojitos.

Place the mint leaves into a long mojito glass (often called a "collins" glass) and squeeze the juice from a cut lime over it.  You'll want about two ounces of lime juice, so it may not require all of the juice from a single lime.  Add the powdered sugar, then gently smash the mint into the lime juice and sugar with a muddler (a long wooden device pictured below, though you can also use the back of a fork or spoon if one isn't available).  Add ice (preferably crushed) then add the rum and stir, and top off with the club soda (you can also stir the club soda in as per your taste).

Garnish with a mint sprig.

What are you waiting for, go put on some Perez Prado mambo music and start making mojitos!

Servings: Makes one drink.