Mojito Update: A Cautionary Tale

How NOT to Make the Perfect Mojito!

Today I'd like to do an update on one of the first posts I did. My very first was dated June 24, 2009. It's been a very busy (and fun!) slightly-more-than-a-month of blogging! Thank you for all the visits and words of encouragement. There's a good chance most of you didn't see my Mojito post. I think I had 4 followers at the time (and that was thanks to Susan of Between Naps on the Porch, who was kind enough to ask some of her sweet friends to stop by and wish me well!). Please make sure to visit her and check out all the participants in Tablescape Thursday, my favorite day of the week!

It's time for another "Foodie Friday." You can visit Gollum's beautiful blog by clicking here. Check out all this week's participants. There are certain to be some wonderful looking and even-better-tasting dishes to be savored!!!

There are many, many mojito recipes floating around. I tried several of them and the recipe I posted is the one that I (and guests) have found to taste (and look) the best. A while after I posted the instructions, I had my first "fan letter," an e-mail from a delightful lady describing the harrowing experience she had trying her hand at mojito-making. I asked if I could share it with you, and she replied:

"You can use anything I sent...not sure anyone would want to hear it, but feel free.
It was a lot funnier after a couple mojitos...."

She mentions Delta Dawn, a reference to an estate sale I wrote about HERE. Here's the e-mail:

Bill,

I found your blog today via Rhoda and I really love it. I follow many blogs but you're the first male to have one in my area of interest and I love your way of describing things (i.e. the sexy part of the mint.) Tried leaving you a comment, but I don't have a blog account.
Anyhoo, after reading your blog today, I was craving a mojito (also had Delta Dawn stuck in my head), so I printed out your recipe and after work went to get the ingredients. It's warm here in Virginia and it sounded so good. I drove to the ABC store which is not near my home. I'm a vodka girl so rum is out my knowledge area (I like good liquor) but after considerable looking, I found a bottle that actually had a "muddler" attached to the bottle (never even heard of a muddler before today) and a recipe for mojitos, so I figured that was the rum to get. I headed to the Kroger in the same shopping center, which I mentioned wasn't near my home so I didn't know where anything was at. I headed to the produce area and got limes and a few other things, but could not find any mint. To the best of my recollection, I've never tried to buy mint in my store before but I assumed they would have it. This is a lot bigger store than the small grocery near my house, but alas after 3 trips around the produce area, no mint. What the heck is a mojito without mint and here I had this huge bottle of rum in the car and a brand new muddler to test out. Then I saw it...a rack of potted herbs...and there was two very sad mint plants left. If I wanted a mojito, that was it so threw the plant in my basket. Hunted for a long time to find other items I needed and also got the club soda. (and a $7 bit of smoked gouda jumped in my basket.) A few more stops on the way home and finally, home to fix my mojito. But then I couldn't get the rum open. Finally realized to remove the metal thingy about the top and sliced my finger a bit doing that. Still wouldn't open. Peeled more metal wrapper off. (some cursing during this time) Ahhh I think I've got it...I see it's a cork. Rum has corks??? Give me Stohli here! And then, the top separates from the cork. What to do? Get that smoked gouda out...it's gonna be a while. Can't find pliers so a kitchen knife is handy. Finally, bleeding about the bottle, I manage to get the knife in the cork and get the bottle open. Used my new muddler to do the limes and sugar, and contemplating how safe it might be to try to crush my ice (I don't have an ice maker) and decided against that. Get to the club soda, open it and ....it spews out all over the kitchen....more smoked gouda....that stuff is awesome.....clean up the club soda now mixed with blood....decide a little more rum might be in order by now. Finally my mojito is ready....and you were right, great mojito even without the ice crushed but my sad plant didn't lend itself to a sexy garnishment and by then, I was ready to just drink the rum straight from the bottle and start belting out Delta Dawn LOL. Just had to tell you about my night....Love your blog and added it to my list. Hope you keep posting.

The original post:
After checking out mojito recipes online and viewing numerous youtube videos by bartenders claiming THEIR way is the ONLY way, I know how confusing it can get!

Some say to use lime juice (rather than lime wedges), to use confectioner’s sugar, that simple syrup is best, to crush the mint leaves to smithereens (yuck, they come right up the straw and taste bitter). I've tried most of the options, and I think I've found a nice balance ... one likely to please and impress your guests.

I like to use pilsner/ale glasses like the one in the photograph. I hate beer, but I love the shape of these glasses!


Here’s how I make a mojito:


Bill's Mojito

· Cut half a lime into wedges
· Place lime wedges in the bottom of a double rocks or highball glass (or perhaps a pilsner glass)
· Add two teaspoons of granulated sugar (more or less to taste)
· Crush the above-listed ingredients with a wooden muddler (or use the non-business end of a large wooden spoon as I did until I found a muddler at an estate sale)
· Add fresh mint leaves. Pinch them off near the stem and add as many as ten small ones – fewer if the leaves are large.
· Crushed ice comes next. If you have an ice maker with a “crush” feature, you’re in luck. If not, wrap ice cubes in a dish towel and pound away with a hammer, rolling pin, etc.
· Now pour in light rum … lots of it!
· Stir with a long-handled bar spoon. Naturally, being a good Southern boy, I always have an iced tea spoon nearby. Iced tea is the "house wine of the South" … for goodness sake!
· Stir gently, to bruise and distribute the mint leaves and to bring all that sugary, sherbet-y, limey taste upward.
· Now top off with club soda to give it a little fizz and sparkle.
· Garnish with the sexy end of the mint sprig. Some people just shove mint into the top of the glass, but I like to anchor it with a lime wedge on the rim. It’s pretty, and it puts the wonderful aromas right under the nose as you enjoy sipping this cooling beverage!
· Add two straws – not that you’re going to share it … it just allows you to cool off faster … and enjoy life more!!!

Now you have my recipe, try it and let me know what you think, OK?