Summer is in full swing and a personal pastime for myself is concocting my favorite patio friendly libation: The Mojito.

Considered  the national cocktail of Cuba, the Mojito has a long and disputed history. This Wikipedia page sheds some light on it’s history:

“Some say the drink was developed in the 1500’s when the famed explorer Sir Francis Drake landed in the city of Havana in order to sack the city of its gold. While the invasion was unsuccessful, an associate of Sir Francis Drake, named Richard Drake, created an early version of the mojito called ” El Draque ” out of aguardiente ( a crude form of rum,) sugar, lime, and mint. Others say the drink was invented by African slaves working in the Cuban sugar cane fields.”

For me personally the love affair with this drink began nearly 20 years ago after a visit to La Bodeguita Del Medio in Puerto Vallarta, México.

Like an addict after his first hit I was hooked for life! Ok maybe comparing my love for mojitos to drug addiction is a slight overstatement but I feel like I’ve been “chasing the dragon” ever since.

The Mint, the lime, the fizz…what’s not to love!

Fast forward to present day and after several hours in the lab I believe I’ve come damn close to duplicating the beloved tropical drink. It’s Havana in a glass.. minus communism!

Ok enough reminiscing. Let’s make it.

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First place about 6-8 mint leaves and about 2 or 3 lime quarters in a tall glass.

Now grab your muddler and slowly mash the mint and lime together in a twisting motion.

Next add 1 oz of simple syrup (see how to make this in the full recipe below). This is where I’ve added my own variation.

Most mojito recipes call for plain white sugar but I opt for turbinado instead . It adds a delicious almost caramel like layer of flavor that elevates the overall complexity.

Now add some nice big ice cubes. Get the larger cubes with a tray like this. The larger cubes will melt slower giving you a less watered down drink. These are also great for whiskey.

Now the most crucial step. Add 2 oz of white rum. Good old Bacardi will do the trick here. The wifey accidentally bought the the more upgraded version and I’m glad she did. It was lights out!

Next we just top off with soda. I really like Perrier lime.

I’ve seen some recipes call for a sugary sweet soda like Sprite or 7 up. Unless you want diabetes please don’t do this! It would make the drink ridiculously sweet!

Lastly grab your mixing spoon and give it a good stir.

And there it is …

Enjoy

The Modest Gent’s Classic Summer Mojito

Ingredients:

• 6 to 8 mint leaves
• 1 small lime quartered
• 1 oz simple syrup (see below)
• 2 oz white rum
• Club soda or Mineral water like Perrier

Directions:

1. Place 6-8 mints leaves in a tall glass
2. Add 2-3 lime quarters
3. Slowly muddle lime and mint
4. Add 1 oz simple syrup
5. Add ice cubes
6. Pour in 2 oz of white rum
7. Top off with soda
8. Mix it all together
9. Enjoy

Simple syrup recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar (turbinado or white)
• 1 cup water

Directions:
All you need is a 1:1 ratio of sugar and water.

1. Add 1 cup of sugar to a saucepan followed by one cup of water.
2. Set burner to low heat. The sugar will slowly liquify.
3. Let the syrup cool to room temperature then refrigerate.

Notes: This should be good to go for a few weeks. You can also use plain white sugar.

Got an awesome summer drink idea? Leave a comment below.