This summer, the mojito seemed to be the most talked about cocktail making it's rounds on the home cocktail party circuit. I recently tried a mojito for the first time and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I would have thought that all that mint would make the drink taste like toothpaste but it's actually quite refreshing.
Putting mint leaves in a glass and crushing them sounds more like something that a gardener would do to kill weeds. But after you mix those crushed mint leaves with sugar, lime juice and rum you can tell the gardener to take a hike. This way there will be more mojito for you.
I enjoyed my first mojito so much that I decided to experiment with some of the variations too. It seems like the easiest way to add different flavors to a mojito is to use flavored rums. The rum industry has taken its cue from the vodka makers of the world and now offers all types of new and interesting flavors. Take Bacardi Rums for example. If you limited yourself to use only Bacardi (not a bad limit), you'd still have lots of varieties to choose from. There's Limon, Razz, Bacardi O, Bacardi 8, Grand Melon, Big Apple and I'm sure they're doing market research on a bunch of new flavors as you sit here and read this.
When you go out to a bar, they're usually stocked with all these latest and greatest flavors but it might be impractical for a home mixologist to buy more than a few varieties. I'm sure using any of those would taste great but who wants to spend all that money on a home bar. If you're having a big party, then sure that makes sense. But for regular home consumption it's probably best to try just one at a time and make sure you like them. I chose Bacardi Limon. Everyone likes lemony flavored alcohol so it made sense.
And I also decided to go the martini route. It seems like martinis are made from just about anything now a days. So why not try a Mojito Martini?
Mix the following in a half filled shaker of crushed ice:
1.5 measures Bacardi Limon
0.5 measure Absolute Citron
1/2 of a Lime, sliced
8 Mint Leaves
Shake well and pour into a chilled martini glass.
Garnish with some fresh mint leaves. And don't fish the used mint leaves out of the cocktail shaker for the garnish.
The mojito is so versatile that even the Mojito Martini has a few variations as well. A great way to add a touch of class is to add a splash of Grand Mariner. This is a called a Grand Mojito Martini and it truly does taste grand.
The mojito is a great summertime drink that can add a little international zest to any of your cocktail parties. If you're the type of host that goes that extra mile for his or her guests, then why not plant some mint in your herb garden in the spring. It's an easy plant to grow and it'll help you serve the freshest Mojitos, Mojito Martinis and Grand Mojitos Martinis and your guests will truly appreciate it.
About the Author:Anthony Tripp is always trying new and exciting cocktails, including various
Mojito Recipes, in the comforts of his own home. To learn more about Home Mixology, and how to make more great cocktail recipes, check out his blog,
http://homemixology.blogspot.com
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