The Cuban Mojito Recipes

CUBAN MOJITOS

Steps:

• In each glass: add 2 teaspoons of white cane sugar and the juice of half a lime. In Cuba, they don't place the lime into the glass, just the lime juice!
• Place one long mint stem into each glass and simply muddle (push down and twist) the bottom of the stem only NOT THE MINT LEAVES into the sugar and lime juice. Two reasons for this: one you don't get a strong bitter taste when you over-muddle the leaves, and they stay pretty and green not brown and bruised. This tip came from the bartenders we met on our trip in Cuba and was confirmed with my good friend Abel who is a Cuban travel guide, and trust me, he knows a thing or two about mojitos!
• Next, add 1 shot white rum, 3 drops aromatic bitters.
• Add few ice cubes, in Cuba they don't add lots of ice because it is not commonly used, top with a splash of sparkling water, add mint garnish, mix, and sip away!

THE REAL MOJITO

Steps:

• Place mint leaves and 1 lime wedge into a sturdy glass. Use a muddler to crush the mint and lime to release the mint oils and lime juice. Add 2 more lime wedges and the sugar, and muddle again to release the lime juice. Do not strain the mixture. Fill the glass almost to the top with ice. Pour the rum over the ice, and fill the glass with carbonated water. Stir, taste, and add more sugar if desired. Garnish with the remaining lime wedge.

CUBAN MOJITO

Steps:

• Combine the lime, sugar, and mint in a martini shaker or wide glass. Use a muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon to smash and crush everything together to release the oils and juice.
• When there is a good amount of juice and the sugar begins to dissolve, add the rum and stir to combine.
• Fill two glasses with ice, divide the mixture between glasses, and top off with some soda water. Garnish with a couple of mint leaves and sugar cane stalks.

CUBAN MOJITO

Steps:

• Cut a round slice of lime, 1 cm thick and slice it into 4 equal parts. Put the four lime wedges into a glass, then add the sugar and muddle (squish everything together) to release the lime juice and aroma. Do it gently because hard squishing may release the bitterness from the white part of the lime.
• Put the mint leaves on one hand and clap in order to lightly bruise the leaves to releases the aroma. Rub the mint leaves around the rim of the glass and drop them inches Use a muddler, bar spoon (or even a rolling pin) to gently push the mint down into the lime juice.
• Half fill the glass with crushed ice and pour in the rum. Stir the mix together until the sugar dissolves.
• Top up with crushed ice, a splash of the sparkling water and garnish it with a sprig of mint.

THE CUBAN MOJITO

Steps:

• Add sugar and lime juice into a tall glass and stir.
• Add mint sprigs and muddle a few seconds (even a wooden dowel will work if you don't have a pestle).
• If you want a fresh lime wedge add now and crush the wedge with the pestle.
• Add ice cubes.
• Pour in the rum.
• Add about 6 dashes of bitters.
• Pour in the club soda (watch, the soda will fizz over the top if you're not carefull).
• Stir with a straw or swizzle stick. A straw might be preferable to keep from sucking up the mint leaves that float at the top.
• Stir as needed when drinking.