The Perfect Mojito

With the onset of summer, it has been hard to resist the temptations of the summer cocktails. When I first started dating my boyfriend, Evan, he wow'd me with his bartending skills. My pampered palette is now unable to enjoy the simple yet effective "juice + booze" cocktail recipe that got me through the previous decade.

There is a fine art to making the perfect cocktail - and it is worth every painstaking moment of preparation. From pureeing the fruit by hand, to squeezing fresh lemon or lime, there is something very satisfying about the end result.


My favorite summer cocktail is the mojito - but only when made properly.

I have made mojitos many ways, and with an array of different ingredients - from soda to sugar water to lime juice. However, I want to share with you Evan's recipe for the perfect mojito - because nothing tastes better than this.

MOJITOS:

In martini shaker combine several fresh mint leaves and 2 whole limes cut in quarters. Use a wooden mulcher or similar tool to pound the living piss out of the limes. Note: these limes will provide the "mix" for your mojito. Add brown sugar to taste - I like to put between 1 and 2 tablespoons. Mix with mulcher. Add 2oz of rum - I prefer to use Captain Morgan's dark rum, but that is my preference. Note: don't use flavored rum, it is sacreligious not to mention disgusting. Add about 1 cup of crushed ice - the ice MUST be crushed. Shake shake shake. Pour into the recepticle of your choice - I like to use the fancy glasses. Add more ice to fill the glass. Enjoy.


Since I am on a perpetual diet I can rank these babies in at approximately 200 calories - depending on how much sugar was added (15 cal per teaspoon). The fresh lime, mint and ice is less than 50 calories.

In my opinion this is the best way to enjoy 2 ounces of rum. And once those 2 ounces have been enjoyed, enjoy 2 more. However, beware of the possible drunken effects of too many mojitos.