Somerset Maugham
Mojito Cocktail Recipes
This delectable cocktail used to be known as the “Cuban Highball” and during the centuries since its original creation, has been mixed in different ways all over the world. Some say that it was created by African slaves while working in the Cuban sugarcane fields and other stories trace its history to a similar sixteenth century drink, the “El Draque,” named in honor of Sir Francis Drake, (seems to me that he was responsible for a lot of things – how did he ever find time to go off exploring)?
The Cuban highball was made popular by (who else) Ernest Hemingway and Somerset Maugham and is now called a Mojito Cocktail. Because of the rum, it is very definitely a mixed drink from Cuba – one of the many mojito cocktail recipes to be found. But to make it correctly, you need five ingredients – you can use different kinds if you choose, but the secret of a perfectly prepared mojito is in the mixing or “muddling!” More about that in just a moment.
Making a perfect cocktail is an art – or a science, if you prefer. We must be certain that all the ingredients are painstakingly measured; otherwise your drink is not a true mojito cocktail recipe!
Traditionally, we need the following,
- eight fresh mint or spearmint leaves;
- two bar spoons of brown sugar
- two ounces of light or white rum – get the good stuff, from the higher shelf;
- one ounce of a good brand of sparkling water;
- the juice of half a fresh lime;
- one cup of crushed ice and a sprig of mint for garnish.
If you wish, you can use a cocktail shaker to mix the drink, but it’s simpler to prepare the drink in the tall glass in which you’re planning to serve it. Having carefully measured the ingredients, put the brown sugar in the bottom of the large, chilled Collins glass and add five of the mint leaves. Squeeze the juice out of the freshly cut half-lime, allowing it to dribble on top of the mint leaves.
And here’s where our muddler goes into action. The correct use of the muddler is critical to the quality of this most luscious of all mojito recipes. It’s a bartender’s tool – a wooden utensil about eight inches long and shaped like a small baseball bat. It’s used rather like a pestle to crush (or muddle) fruits, herbs, and/or spices in the bottom of a glass to release their flavor.
So when making our mojito, we use a gentle downwards pressure while twisting the muddler around in the bottom of the glass. The mint leaves should only be bruised to release the essential oils and should not be shredded because if you grind or smash the leaves, you’ll end up with a bitter-tasting cocktail.
Next, pour the light or white rum (Havana Club is used in Cuba) over the leaves and stir it gently to dissolve the sugar and float the mint to the top for a more attractive presentation. Add enough crushed ice to fill the glass and then the sparkling water. Garnish the glass with the remaining mint leaves and a wedge of freshly cut lime.
We have just built a perfect example of a Mojito cocktail! Try it!
Now friends – reader discretion is advised! These mojitos slip down like golden silk and you don’t feel the effects of a few of these until you discover that your knees don’t work very well!
You can make substitutions in your drink if you wish; use lemonade instead of the sparkling water or lemon in place of the lime. It will alter the taste of your cocktail a little but you might enjoy a different version of the mojito. And you might consider adding a little more of the rum to it – it’ll change the texture. Or, if you’re really looking for trouble, try using a good-quality vodka in place of the sparking water. See above caution message!
Mojito cocktails are delightfully refreshing as well as delicious and are appropriate to serve anywhere at all. Near the pool, on the beach, at your favourite club or bar and, best of all, at home, sharing good times with friends. But one more item of trivia – mojito cocktails are technically not cocktails at all because there’s only one spirits-based element and cocktails have at least two.
But hey – don’t let that stop you from adding another one! Cheers!
About the Author
Carolyn Donohue is an expert on cocktail recipes. If you want to impress your friends and spice your parties by serving great tasting Mojitos, visit http://www.cocktailrecipesmadeeasy.com.
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