Thursday, April 1, 2010

Drinks Around the World: Mojito (North America)

At the start of every month, Travel Wonders describes a drink of the month discovered on his travels. Popular in Cuba and parts of Central America, the mojito had become a standard drink of the USA and Mexico.

It is simply made by softly mushing a handful of spearmint leaves (maybe those left over from your Moroccan mint tea?) with sugar cane juice (or sugar) and lime juice. Tip this into a glass, add ice and a measure of white rum (the Mexicans use tequila instead). Top up with soda water and your mojito is ready to enjoy. Garnishes seem to vary from a stick of sugar cane to more mint leaves and a wedge of lime.

The mix of mint and lime makes the mojito an extremely refreshing drink on a hot day while the sweetness offsets the potency of the rum.

As the northern hemisphere moves into spring, make an effort to enjoy a tangy and refreshing mojito.

Previous Drinks Around the World include Mint Tea from Morocco, Coca Tea from Peru, Austria's herby Almdudler, a French Vin Chaud, Bloody Caesar from Canada, a Pisco Sour from South America, Singapore Sling, Belgium's Chimay Beer, Scotland's smoky Talisker Scotch Whisky and the Czech Republic's Becherovka.

16 comments:

Anil said...

A bit sweet for my tastes but they are refreshing on a tropically hot day.

Heather Dugan Creative / Footsteps said...

Love 'em! They can be very refreshing in the hot sun!

Mark H said...

@anil: I reduced the sugar too, but find the mint and lime juice very thirst quenching.

@footsteps: They do seem so popular in warm weather.

Gourmantic said...

One of my favourite summer drinks! I use Havana Club rum when I make it. So refreshing in the heat.

Sherry Ott said...

Yum, yum, yum...one of my favorites for sure! Will be heading out to get some limes and mint today! :)

Heather on her travels said...

I'm not a great cocktail drinker but the Mojito was the one I enjoyed in Berlin http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/white-trash-fast-food-and-meeting-the-bloggers-in-berlin/

- and of course, I can always dream of music and vintage cars in Havana!

Mark H said...

@gourmantic: Havana Rum sounds very suitable for what is really a Cuban drink.

@sherry: I have started to grow my own mint...

@heather: Great photo of the cocktail.

BarbaraW said...

Bet you didn't know that this was Ernest Hemingway's favorite drink!

jessiev said...

i love anything with mint and/or lime. perfect!

Wanderluster said...

Looks so refreshing! Just perfect for summer.

Ladyexpat (Nancie) said...

What a great drink for a hot summer day!

Michael said...

Love this drink!

Cruise said...

Tried this drink on my previous cruise! and it waas soooo good!

Mark H said...

@barbara: I didn't know it was Ernest Hemingway's fave drink. Great piece of trivia.

@jessiev: Sounds like we have similar tastes. I'm big on the refreshing mint (and/or lime) drinks myself.

Mark H said...

@wanderluster: Great summer drink

@ladyexpat: Perfect for summer. Typically US southern states.

Mark H said...

@michael: I love it too. Brings back great memories.

@cruise: I don't go on many cruises but I assume it would be popular on cruise ships soaking up the sun...

 
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