How to Make a Perfect Mojito

I started a blog post this afternoon of our amazing weekend recap.  But it's taking awhile and I don't feel like finishing it right now, so instead, I'm going to do something that requires much less thought.  I'm going to show you how I make the perfect mojito!  Mojitos are my favorite summer drink - very light and refreshing, a Cuban original!  It typically takes me a few tries to get the perfect combination of ingredients, but I did pretty well yesterday after my first attempt of the season.   So here I document it, so I remember for next time!

Ingredients:
lime juice from 1/2 lime
simple syrup*
mint leaves
rum
club soda

(It also helps if you have a muddler and a lime squeezer.)

*Simple syrup is a water-sugar mixture.  Boil one part sugar with one part water, and allow to cool.  This mixture can be stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for months. 

Step 1: Use a muddler to crush mint leaves in the bottom of a glass.  This releases the minty oils and fragrances.

Step 2: Add ice to the glass.  Then squeeze the juice from one-half of a lime into your glass.  (If you don't have a squeezer, I found that pliers work well.  Go find some in your hubby's garage...that's what I used to do!)  I also like to add some of the lime pulp.  (Is that what it's called?)  I carefully use a knife to cut it out for my drink.

Step 3: Add 1 1/2 to 2 shots of rum, and 2 shots of the simple syrup mixture.  Fill the remainder of the glass with club soda.

And there you have it - a nice, refreshing, mojito!  You can top it off with a few more mint leaves and/or a lime slice, if you wish!  I highly recommend them!