Seeing as I’m a bartender and all that, here’s some of my summer faves…
(And I don’t really mind making mojitos for you. I just think you should tip me $5 per, since they’re extremely labor intensive. That’s all. Show some love. I am getting you liquored up, after all.)
Best Mojito Ever…
Classic: Put into a glass (no ice yet!): half a tablespoon of powdered sugar, or a tablespoon of simple syrup (sugar dissolved in water.) An ENTIRE lime’s worth of juice. Add about 8 leaves of mint (tear the leaves into a couple pieces to open up the mint flavor.) Muddle. Really. Get it nice and juicy. NOW add ice, and 2 ounces of your favorite light rum. With a drink-mixing tin, shake it like it’s your money-maker in a skeezy nightclub on the night of your bachelorette party. (No, really. For like, a minute straight. I swear it makes all the difference.) Finally, top with soda. (Ed. note: Sometimes I use a packet of Splenda for the sugar, and then this is basically the least-fattening alcoholic drink ever. In fact, I think it’s good for you. Fruit, and all that. Shuttup.)
Kickass flavors: Just add to above recipe as desired. (Use only fresh fruit!!! No syrups… blech…) Flavored rums are okay though- with the fresh fruit. Cruzan Rum is reasonably priced, totally decent quality and has a million flavors (pineapple, citrus, coconut, black cherry, guava (omg I know!) and MANGO, my personal fave for a mojito.)
Fantastic awesome Cucumber and Basil Drink:
Build like a mojito (see above) (12 – 16 oz glass): Put 1 oz simple syrup, a tablespoon or 2 of diced cucumber (and 1 slice for garnish on rim), 1 tbsp fresh lime juice (a couple wedges), and 3 (torn to open up flavor) basil leaves in a glass. Muddle. Add ice, 2 ounces of gin (vodka if you prefer, but I like gin better.) Shake vigorously! Top with soda or Sprite if you like some fizzy.
Another Basil Drink I Love:
(Okay, I know I could have come up with cute names for these, but it’s Friday. I haven’t done any work all day, I’m not about to start now! Geez.)
Collins glass: Absolut (2oz), fresh lemon juice (2 slices), Grapefruit Juice (2 ounces) and basil leaves (4, tear into a few pieces), topped with club soda. Also would be good as a martini. (Ed. note: I totally stole this from Urbana, on P and 21st Streets. And it’s awesome.)
Sage and Blackberry Drink:
Martini: 1 sage leaf torn in half, 2 fresh blackberries, half ounce of Chambourd (Razzmatazz will do). Muddle. Add ice and 2 oz Stoli Blackberry. Shake vigorously, strain (possibly twice, depending on the blackberry seeds.) Top with soda, garnish with 2 blackberries. (Optional: add a splash of Midori.)
And last but not least…
Magic in a Glass:
In a rocks glass, pour 2 oz of your fave vodka over ice. Add Fresca. (YES, FRESCA. Trust me.) Drink, enjoy the body tingles from deliciosity (made-up words- wheee!), and bask in its refreshing summery goodness.
Enjoy, lovahs…
{ 4 comments }
You had me at Splenda. Yum.
At one point during my restaurant career, I ran a place that was known for mojitos. Mysteriously we always seemed to run out of mint when the bar got really busy.
Seriously labor intensive.
The last mojito I endured had so much vegetation, I felt like a manatee. I have not had one since.
Yes~ was looking for great drinks to make . Just so excited.