Well friends, we made it to Friday. Congratulations! You deserve a drink It was almost a year ago that I moved into my new apartment (well, 9 months, but who’s counting) and declared that I needed to make more cocktails. I’ve been pretty good keeping up with my promise and now that the warmer weather is hitting us once again (pool!!!), I’m trying my hand at some new concoctions. This one is a drink that I think would be especially delightful poolside. When it comes to goals like “make more cocktails,” I guess I’m pretty good at keeping them
I swear I thought I had a bottle of rum in my liquor cabinet. But when I went to make these strawberry mojitos, I realized we only had a bottle of Bacardi 151. Oops. It was the weekend, so I figured it wouldn’t be a problem.
Strawberry Mojitos (makes 1):
Adapted from My Adventures in Food
• 3 oz. simple syrup (equal parts sugar to water)
• 4-5 medium fresh strawberries
• Small handful fresh mint leaves
• 2 oz. rum
• 2 t fresh lime juice
• Splash of club soda
• Lime slices
Make your simple syrup first because it’s going to need to cool. I knew I was planning on making 2 mojitos, so I used 3/4 C sugar and 3/4 C of water. Just make sure you use equal parts sugar and water.
Bring water and sugar to a boil and then turn down the heat and stir until the sugar melts. Remove from the stove and cool to room temperature.
I muddled my ingredients in a shaker, but you could do it in a drink glass, too. Whatever you use, put together the strawberries, mint, and crushed ice (you could use cubes, it will jut be a little tougher).
Muddle everything together with the back of a spoon or a muddler. Or a reamer, like I did.
Add in the simple syrup, rum, and lime juice.
Pour into your glass and top off with club soda.
Add in some fresh limes and garnish with a strawberry.
Sip away! But be careful if you used 151. It’s kinda strong
I’ve always been a pretty big fan of mojitos and love this strawberry variation. One of my favorite Boston-area restaurants, The Fireplace, has fabulous mojitos, including a blackberry one. I may have to try making that one, too!
I know, I know. If you live in the New England area, it’s back to being pretty freezing again. And it probably seems like I’m teasing you with this super summery drink. But you could always crank up the heat, put on some Kenny Chesney, and sit on the couch in the bathing suit. OK, that might be kind of weird. But here’s to hoping the sun comes out and the heat returns soon.
Keep your eye out because I’m planning on having plenty more drink recipes this summer. Let me know if you have any special drink ideas or requests
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! My fabulous Aunt Judy is in town from Buffalo, so I’ll be spending some time with her and my family. And getting some major cleaning and organizing done around the apartment. I have a) wedding magazines, venue information, and wedding mailings, b) tax documents, and c) food magazines and recipes pages absolutely everywhere. I have a great filing cabinet, but… I’m really bad at using it. Order needs to enter into my life ASAP! Organization? Well, that calls for another cocktail.
Do you drink summer cocktails even when it’s not warm outside?
[Sues]