I’ve been sitting on a recipe I have want to share since Mother’s Day. When that day dawned sunny and clear and the mercury hit 80 (first time all spring!) I decided it was time to celebrate with my favorite summer cocktail— a Mojito. I mixed two up for my husband, Lou, and me. Then I proceeded to knock one off the counter (aargh). After picking up shattered glass, vacuuming and mopping, I finally and thoroughly enjoyed my cocktail. Lou got a beer (after all it was Mother’s Day).

Weeks later I have finally carved out some time to blog about what my friends say is the best Mojito they’ve had. Now that summer is underway, I guess the timing is perfect. It is a pretty simple process:

Use this recipe more as a guideline. My brother-in-law, Chuck, shared this method of making Mojitos with me by pouring a little of this and that in a glass. I usually mix my Mojitos that way too, but for you I measured the ingredients.  It is customizable and certainly can be sized up to make a pitcher full. I like my Mojito a little on the sweeter side while Lou likes his stronger. Leave a little room at the top of your glass, taste and adjust to your liking.

The only special tool you need is a muddler to really work the flavor out of the mint and lime. I have made-do in the past with the end of a wooden spoon. I wouldn’t try a heavy-duty pestle as that has broken a glass or two of mine.

I made mint simple syrup for this recipe but plain works too. I mix 1 cup sugar with 1 cup water in a pot and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Add mint leaves if you like and cook until the sugar is dissolved. Let cool before using.

Now go find a reason to celebrate and let me know how you like your Mojito!

Summertime Mojito

Makes 2 low ball glasses (about 8 fl. oz. each)

10 large mint leaves
1/4 cup mint simple syrup
1 lime cut into wedges
1/4 cup rum
1/2 cup seltzer water

1. Split mint leaves between glasses. Pour a  little more than 1/2 the syrup between the 2 glasses. Use muddler to crush mint. Add lime wedges and muddle again to extract lime juice.

2. Add ice to fill the glasses. Split rum and seltzer between the 2 glasses. Stir and then taste and adjust to your liking with more sugar or rum. Garnish with another lime wedge and enjoy.