Bruce’s Cuban Mojitos

Now that summer is here in full swing, it’s time for mojitos!
The mojito is a Cuban rum drink, with mint and lime that is cool and refreshing and tastes great.  I believe that the name “mojito” means “little magic” with the same root as “mojo” as in “Got my mojo working”.  Afro-Cuban.
I have the BEST recipe for mojitos, developed over the past several years, and hundreds of mojitos. Make each individually for best results. I have tried to make batches, they don’t come out as well. If I expect company, I mix up everything except the ice and soda ahead of time in separate glasses.
For each mojito, you’ll need:

• A morter and pestle. I have one dedicated to mojitos – I didn’t want to use the one we use to crush garlic and herbs!
• 12 large fresh mint leaves. “Large” means 2 inch length. Use more if you have smaller leaves.
• 2 heaping teaspoons of Sugar in the Raw. White sugar works, too, but the coarser Sugar in the Raw tears through the mint more easily.
• 1/2 big, juicy lime. Look for limes with a smooth skin, they are the juiciest. Sometimes, I’ll use a whole lime per drink.
• A shot of rum. I prefer Havana Club Añejo which is a dark Cuban rum. Try different rums and see what you like. Virgin mojitos are also good for the kids or friends who don’t drink. I sometimes use 1/2 shot if it’s early on a hot day.
• Lots of ice cubes.
• Soda water or seltzer. I use the Isi Soda Siphon, available at Amazon, Target, Wal-mart, etc. It makes a seltzer with tiny bubbles and delivers a nice fizz all the way to the end of the bottle. Cheaper than bottled soda which goes flat and leaves a plastic bottle that pollutes the environment.

Directions:

1. Put the sugar and mint leaves in a morter and use the pestle to grind the leaves up until they are a green mess. Totally ripped apart. This releases the minty oils.
2. Squeeze the lime juice into the mint/sugar mixture and stir with the pestle, using juice to help dissolve the sugar from the sides of the morter. Get as much juice as you can. I use a juicing tool.
3. Put a couple of ice cubes in the bottom of a tall glass (to keep stuff from sticking to the bottom of the glass) and pour the lime-mint-sugar mixture over them.
4. Pour the shot of rum into the morter to help rinse stray sugar and mint, then pour into the glass.
5. Fill the glass to the rim with ice cubes.
6. Pour seltzer to the top. Stir with a straw and garnish with mint leaves.
7. Enjoy the ultimate cool summer drink.