Two Ways To Make A Mojito - history and recipes

white rum

🥗Healthier: light rum

💰Cheaper: vodka

Light rum has fewer calories, while vodka is often cheaper.

sugar

🥗Healthier: agave syrup

💰Cheaper: honey

Agave syrup is lower on the glycemic index, while honey is often less expensive.

club soda

🥗Healthier: sparkling water

💰Cheaper: seltzer

Sparkling water is a healthier alternative, while seltzer is usually cheaper.

fresh mint leaves

🥗Healthier: dried mint

💰Cheaper: mint extract

Dried mint can be used for flavor, while mint extract is often cheaper and lasts longer.

Grab a collins glass.

Add 10 to 12 mint leaves to the glass and clap them to release oils.

Use a bar spoon to tap the mint leaves, pulling them up inside the glass to extract oils without muddling them too much.

In a shaking tin, add 2 ounces of light rum.

Add half an ounce of rich Demerara syrup and three quarters of an ounce of fresh lime juice to the shaking tin.

Add ice to the shaking tin and shake quickly to chill and dilute the mixture.

Fill the collins glass with ice cubes.

Pour the cocktail mixture over the ice in the collins glass.

Lift the mint with a bar spoon to incorporate it into the drink.

Top off the drink with approximately 3 ounces of soda water.

Add a mint sprig to garnish and optionally a wedge of lime.

For the slower version, start with a clean collins glass and add 10 to 12 mint leaves, waking them up again.

Add 1 tablespoon of raw Demerara sugar to the glass with the mint leaves.

Stir the mint and sugar together gently for about a minute to create mint sugar without mashing the mint.

Cut a lime in half, take one half and cut it into quarters, then drop those pieces into the glass.

Use a muddler to press down on the lime pieces 3 to 4 times to extract juice and oils without breaking up the mint.

Add 2 ounces of light rum to the glass on top of the mint and lime mixture.

Give the mixture a quick stir to combine.

Add ice on top of the mixture in the glass.

Top off with soda water and stir gently to incorporate everything.

Add one more ice cube and a little more soda water if desired, then garnish with a mint sprig and drop in a straw.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

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Dietary