RCP: Mojitos

With all the food recipes in here featuring mint, I figured it was about time to get something to drink! The following recipe is from Perfect Party Food by Diane Phillips, otherwise known as the "Diva of Do-Ahead." Made this for a Final Four gathering last weekend. Tasted great to me but I had never tasted a mojito before so my opinion is not necessarily accurate!

2 cups water
2 cups superfine sugar
2 cups packed fresh mint leaves, plus 1 bunch for garnish
2-1/2 cups light rum
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
about 2 liters club soda
Fresh mint sprigs for garnish

1. Combine the water and sugar, bring to a boil, stir until sugar dissolves. (Note: this simple syrup will store for 4 months. Reheat before continuing.)

2. Add the mint leaves to the hot simple syrup and steep for 1 hour.

3. Strain the syrup, discard the mint leaves. (Note: the minted simple syrup will keep for 4 days in the refrigerator.) Allow to cool or refrigerate.

4. In a pitcher, combine the minted simple syrup, rum, and lime juice.

5. To make an individual mojito, fill a tall glass with ice. Add the mojito mixture to about halfway. Top with club soda. Garnish with a mint sprig.

It sounds good, Mike. I'll compare it with my best friend's husband's recipe. He makes the best I have ever had anywhere! After I look it up I'll post for comparison.

Looks like a great recipe, Mike! I like the idea of making the minted syrup and then using that for each drink. Much easier than trying to muddle the mint in individual glasses when you're trying to make them for a crowd and I'll bet it works better.


Mike

I like the idea of making the minted syrup and then using that for each drink. Much easier than trying to muddle the mint in individual glasses when you're trying to make them for a crowd and I'll bet it works better.Mike

It was a snap to make an individual mojito. Fill glass with ice, pour in mojito mix to the halfway point, fill rest of way with club soda, garnish.

I was told there is another advantage in addition to speed: those that drink one of these mojitos don't spend the rest of the night picking mint leaves out of their teeth!

Ah, but the syrup does take some of the fun out of watching the diverse styles of the bartenders as they make your drink. I have seen the mint simply tossed into the glass, "bruised" by slapping between the palms, positively beaten into submission with a thick yard-long dowel... I have even once seen a package mix mojito that included powdered mint (gak).


Jeff

I have even once seen a package mix mojito that included powdered mint (gak).

That's just wrong.

So I just made the minted simple syrup. I was a bit short on mint, though, so I did a half batch of it and a half batch of ginger simple syrup. The ginger worked well - I steeped diced ginger in syrup and also pressed some in with a garlic press. I was also short on limes, so I made a couple of individual drinks with 1.5 oz. of flavored syrup, 2 oz. of rum, 3/4 oz lime juice, and topped with soda. Both syrups made tasty cocktails.


Mike

I have even once seen a package mix mojito that included powdered mint (gak).

That's just wrong.

Agreed. It couldn't be more wrong if it tried.

Here is a little twist on the traditional Mojito recipe.

Pomegranate Mojito
1.5 oz. light rum
1 oz. POM pomegranate juice
1/2 oz. fresh mint simple syrup (below)
5-10 mint leaves (no stems)
1/4 cup ice
2 wedges of lime
Splash of soda water

Shake all ingredients vigorously in shaker. The shaking will muddle the mint leaves. Serve over ice in a glass rimmed with sugar and garnish with additional lime wedge and mint leaves.

Fresh Mint Simple Syrup
Mix 1/4 cup sugar with 1/4 cup hot water in saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves, about 30 seconds. Mix in 4-6 mint sprigs. Cool and strain, discarding mint. Makes
enough for 8 drinks.

Enjoy!!

[Robin Garr]

With all the food recipes in here featuring mint, I figured it was about time to get something to drink!

Mike, for an intriguing variation, here's a tip from a local Nuevo Latino eatery (Seviche) that makes great mojitos ... standard recipe, everything by hand of course including pummeling the leaves with a pestle-like stick: Use fresh sweet basil in place of the mint. It makes an amazingly addictive drink.

Hi Toni, welcome to the forum.

Thanks Bob...I am happy to be here!

Robin, that sounds delish with the basil...My variation, one tht I indulged in last week, was a watermelon mojito...talk about refreshing...

Now I have to gear up for some mint juleps.

b

[Robin Garr]

Robin, that sounds delish with the basil...My variation, one tht I indulged in last week, was a watermelon mojito...talk about refreshing...

Hey, Barb! I was just thinking the other day that you'd been scarce lately. Very good to see you!

As for the watermelon mojito, that sounds almost like a variation on the Latino <i>agua fresca</i>, with rum added. Which is not a bad thing to add ...

Now I have to gear up for some mint juleps.

Aw, Barb, you know we only serve that awful cr@p to tourists ...

The crap gets served to tourists...my juleps are sublime.

b

[Robin Garr]

The crap gets served to tourists...my juleps are sublime.

Okay, you've convinced me. Now pour one through the modem, please?