Ron’s Mojitos

Mojito! The very word sounds exotic: MO-HEE-TO. Summer is upon us, in the Time Zone and at the Latitude Where I Live. The restless rush of hot and sweaty days will too soon end. On such days, I cook less and drink more. Contrary to the many rumors swirling around the Internet, I do not have “man hands.” Those are Ron’s mitts in the photos below. MO-HEE-TO: Here’s how.

Ron’s Mojitos:

Ice, and plenty of it

1 c. (250 mL) light rum

8-to-10 broken mint sprigs

1/4 c. (60 mL) fresh lime juice (about 2-1/2 medium limes)

5 tbsp. (75 mL) granulated sugar

Chilled club soda, for topping drinks

2 whole mint sprigs, as garnish for glass

2 slices of lime, as garnish for glass

To double-frost glasses, freeze two tall and sturdy highball glasses for 15 min. Remove from freezer and splash very quickly with cold water. Water will freeze on contact, thickening the glasses’ sheath of ice. Return to freezer. Pour rum into drink shaker, adding broken mint sprigs. Refrigerate 30 min. to allow flavors to blend. Add lime juice, sugar, and 2 c. ice cubes to shaker. Cover, shaking vigorously until exterior of shaker becomes frosted, about 30 sec. Remove highball glasses from freezer. Strain from shaker, pouring into iced glasses. Top with club soda, a sprig of mint, and lime slice perched on edge of each glass. Pop in a straw and serve immediately. Yields 2.

Assemble what you need.

Don't forget this!

Add some fresh mint to your drink shaker.

Squeeze a few limes.

Pour the juice into the drink shaker.

Add the sugar.

Add the ice. Shake it 'til you make it!

Strain and pour - more, more, more!

For a good time, slice a lime.

And present your refreshing beverage. Bottoms up!