While my parents were visiting, we discovered that my dad had never tried a mojito. We couldn’t let that stand, so we made a batch to enjoy with dinner. We paired the drinks with turkey tacos, which were as delicious as always. The first batch of mojitos was pleasant but leaned too tart and not quite sweet enough. For the next round we doubled the sugar and reduced the lime by half, and the balance improved significantly.
Mojito
Mixologist app
2 oz light rum
Soda water, to top
2 teaspoons sugar (adjust to taste)
4 fresh mint leaves (plus extra for garnish)
1 lime
Place the sugar and mint leaves in a sturdy glass or mug. Gently muddle the mint with the sugar to release the mint’s oils without shredding the leaves. Squeeze the lime halves into the glass, dropping one squeezed half in if you like a bit more citrus depth. Add the rum, stir to combine, then fill the glass with ice. Top with club soda and give a light stir to lift the flavors. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.
Notes: If the drink tastes too tart, increase the sugar slightly or use a simple syrup for easier mixing. If it feels too sweet, pare back the sugar or add a touch more lime. Adjusting the mint quantity and how vigorously you muddle will change the intensity of the herbal aroma.
Big Flavors Rating: 3 Stars