Recipe: mojitos
I thought we had escaped this year. We didn’t have a single hummingbird crash and burn on our deck (that we knew of) this spring. The frequency of accidents goes way up in May/June, but this year was accident-free… Then this week, we had 2 hummingbirds brain themselves on our windows within a 24 hour span. I hate to say this, but I am now rather practiced at reviving little birds – especially the hummingbirds. Yesterday’s hummingbird was the tiniest and worst off to date. I honestly didn’t think he’d make it.
not feeling so good
This little guy didn’t show many of the signs the other hummingbirds exhibit as they begin to recover. Usually they open their eyes after a little bit, start to open their beaks and taste the air with their tongues, sort their wings, look around. This guy just breathed rapidly with eyes shut and feathers in disarray for an hour. I mixed some sugar water (ratio: 1 part sugar to 4 parts water – and for the love of all that is good and sensible, DON’T feed them Splenda or any other fake sugar – hummingbirds need the real deal!) and held it up so his beak would dip into it. Ten minutes went by and nothing. Then I saw the feathers on his throat vibrate and noticed he was drinking! A few minutes after that he opened his eyes and watched me as he drank. Without any warning, he slowly levitated above the deck and zipped off to a nearby tree where he flitted from one branch to another until he flew away. Kinda made my heart fly too.
Now it is full steam ahead! Phases 2 and 3 of the upgrade will be complete this week. If I weren’t so busy, I’d be giddy.
i named them butter and sugar
huge ass L-plate
When last I hosted a stitch-n-bitch, Kitt offered to bring up mojito fixins. I had my first mojito just a few months ago and I’m not much of a boozer, but it sounds like the perfect summer co*cktail to enjoy with friends, doesn’t it? Sure! Kitt’s mojitos were a total hit. I was so distracted hostessing that I completely forgot to actually try one. So when we had friends over this week, I hit Kitt up for her awesome recipe, which she ever so sweetly emailed to me.
basic greens: mint and lime
As you can probably guess, fresh is best. Use fresh mint, use fresh squozen lime juice. I’ve seen some mojito recipes that call for adding sugar, but I’m not a fan of grainy sugar in my drinks. Kitt’s recipe uses simple syrup which is easy to whip up ahead of time. It’s just a one to one ratio of sugar to water (8 oz. sugar to 8 oz. water by weight). While the syrup is hot, dump a few sprigs of mint in to infuse for a few minutes, then remove and let everything cool.
steep the mint
The co*cktail is really to taste, so the measurements are merely guidelines. Squeeze the juice of half a lime into the glass. I use a juicer which does a great job of getting the most out of citrus, so if you have a reamer, you may want to use the whole lime. Pour in some simple syrup and toss a bunch of mint leaves into a glass. Then muddle.
tart, green, wonderful
muddle
What is muddling and what is a muddler? The point of muddling is to bruise the mint and get that flavor mixed in with the liquids. I don’t have an official muddler. I don’t even know what that instrument looks like, but I was told that my Chinese rolling pin (the one I use to roll potsticker wrappers and scallion pancakes) was a good muddler. Add rum to your liking and then top with ice and soda water.
fizzy, refreshing
Give the drink a little stir and prop a lime wedge (technically a wedge is 1/6th of a whole lime – a bunch of dorks including myself looked this up) on the glass. Fantastic!
so nice to kick back with one of these
Kitt’s Mojito
[print recipe]
courtesy of Kitt
1/2 lime, juice of to taste
2 oz. (1/4 cup) minty simple syrup, to taste
bunch of mint leaves
ice
1-2 oz. white rum, to taste
club soda or sparkling water
lime wedge, for garnish
minty simple syrup
8 oz. sugar
8 oz. water
2 sprigs of fresh mint
Minty simple syrup: Make ahead of time. Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan and set over medium high heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Increase heat to high and let boil for a few minutes. Remove from heat and toss in the mint. Let steep for a few minutes (or until the syrup is minty enough for you). Remove the mint and let the syrup cool (can be stored in a glass jar, sealed, and refrigerated until ready to use).
In a 12-ounce glass, combine lime juice, minty simple syrup, and a bunch of mint leaves. Muddle the leaves so they are bruised (not necessary to shred them). Fill the glass with ice and pour in rum (to taste). Top the rest of the glass with club soda or sparkling water and garnish with a lime wedge. Makes 1 mojito.
September 4th, 2009: 1:03 pm
filed under beverages, booze, fruit, recipes, sweet
FAQs
Mix this classic co*cktail for a party using fresh mint, white rum, sugar, zesty lime and cooling soda water. Play with the quantities to suit your taste.
What soda water is best for Mojitos? ›
Bubbly club soda transforms the intense flavors of rum, mint and lime into an easy sipper. Any club soda or plain sparkling water will do. Lately, I've been loving Topo Chico, which is not traditional but offers tons of tiny, persistent bubbles and no funny aftertaste.
Why is my mojito bitter? ›
Though recipes vary, most call for muddled mint. According to Nomad bar director, Pietro Collina, you actually shouldn't muddle those leaves. Muddling will create a bitter taste, he says. All you have to do is remove the leaves from the stem, and throw them into the shaker with the rest of the ingredients.
Are Mojitos difficult to make? ›
Traditionally, a mojito is a co*cktail that consists of five ingredients; white rum, sugar, lime juice, soda water, and mint. Sounds simple, but it needs a lot of care, attention, and muddling. “The reason why the mojito is the hardest drink to make, let's say you're at a club and you ask for a mojito.
What is the difference between classic and virgin mojitos? ›
It is a refreshing non-alcoholic drink that is perfect for any occasion. What is the difference between a mojito and a virgin mojito? A mojito contains alcohol, typically rum, while a virgin mojito is alcohol-free, sharing similar ingredients like lime juice, mint, sugar, and soda water.
Can you use Sprite instead of soda water in a mojito? ›
Sprite is too heavily flavored and will overwhelm the flavors that are supposed to be in the mojito. If all you have is Sprite, then of course go ahead and use it, but don't expect the mojito to taste anything like one made with club soda. If you have the choice, buy club soda or seltzer and use that.
What soda do bartenders use? ›
Club soda is an excellent mixer for many co*cktails. This beverage is a staple in several well-known drinks like a Tom Collins, a gin rickey, or a paloma. You can also use club soda to make non-alcoholic drinks, like Italian soda or bubbly lemonade.
Is tonic water better than club soda for mojitos? ›
Soda water and tonic water are quite different. Soda water is simply carbonated water, so it has the same taste as plain water. Tonic water, on the other hand, is carbonated water that contains quinine and most often a sweetener. This gives it a slightly bitter taste that adds complex depth to co*cktails.
Why does my mojito taste flat? ›
Soda water
As mojitos are served on crushed ice, you'll get dilution as you churn the drink. Often by this point there's little room for soda and I'd argue a splash isn't going to make any noticable difference. It'll also go flat almost immediately.
What is a good substitute for mint in a mojito? ›
No mint leaves? Try substituting basil, rosemary, cilantro, or jalapeno. You could also use a mint-flavored liqueur, mint bitters, or even a peppermint tea bag. Avoid mint extract or essential oil – they are both too concentrated and strong.
In your co*cktail shaker, add a good white rum, fresh lime juice and simple syrup (homemade is best). Then add 5-10 mint leaves. Use the smaller leaves for more minty-flavors and less bitterness.
Why don't bartenders like mojitos? ›
They're one of the most time-consuming drinks and often very costly for busy servers. As one bartender, Noah Esperas of Le Duplex in San Francisco put it: “Honestly, if I am slammed at 1 a.m. and someone asks for four Mojitos, I won't make them.
Should you use crushed ice in a mojito? ›
Follow these helpful hints, dear reader, and you won't dare go wrong. Do use crushed ice in your mojitos. Crushed ice will melt faster, which is a good thing in a drink with such strong flavors. The extra surface area of crushed ice also means a colder drink.
What is a substitute for simple syrup in mojitos? ›
If you're looking for a simple syrup substitute, there are three favorites you probably have right in your home: honey, maple syrup and agave. For honey or agave, add warm water to them, to help turn the mix to syrup. You can also use a sweet, juicy fruit, like an orange.
What alcohol goes in a mojito? ›
The drink is traditionally made with unaged white rum, which yields a light, crisp flavor. Using Cuban rum will score you points for authenticity, although many modern Cuban rums are lighter in style than their predecessors, so you might try experimenting with white rums until you find one that you like best.
What alcohol does a mojito contain? ›
Mojitos contain white rum, not vodka
Therefore, Mojitos typically contain white rum, which has a much lighter and more crisp flavour. Of course, you can use alternatives to white rum such as vodka, tequila or gin, but these spirits will not accomplish the authentic flavours of a Cuban Mojito.
Are mojitos high in alcohol? ›
How Strong Is the Mojito? The mojito is not a terribly strong co*cktail. When made with 80-proof rum, the alcohol content falls in the 13 percent ABV (26 proof) range. That makes it equivalent to a glass of wine, only far more refreshing.
How is a mojito originally served? ›
A mojito is a traditional Cuban highball. It's served on the rocks, in a highball glass with a straw.
Recipe: mojitos
