One of my favorite summer cocktails is the mojito! I put off trying it forever because of all the hype it has gotten in the last few years, but when I finally gave it a whirl, I fell in love. The mojito has a long history that started in Cuba in the 1800′s and was the drink of choice for author Earnst Hemingway. I can see why the mojito is still popular today… it’s tropical, refreshing and delicious!

Ingredients:
1 1/2-2oz white rum (depending on how hard a day it was!)
1oz simple syrup
1 1/2oz fresh lime juice
10 mint leaves
soda water

This is an easier recipe once you have simple syrup in your arsenal. See my previous post on how to make simple syrup here.

Place the mint leaves in the bottom of a tall glass and muddle them with a muddler or a long, wooden pestle. Add a slice of lime and muddle again. Fill the glass with ice and add the rum, simple syrup and lime juice. Then fill the rest of the glass with soda water. Garnish with a lime wheel, stir and enjoy!

If you are in the LA area, one of my favorite places to get a mojito is The Bazaar at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills. Their version is the “Magic Mojito” and the simple syrup has been replaced by a tower of homemade cotton candy that melts into the glass as the drink is poured over it. If your lucky, the bartender will add liquid nitrogen so it smokes! Here is a video of the Magic Mojito in action when one of my besties, Raena was in town for a visit. You can hear us giggling in the background with sheer delight at the awesomeness we are witnessing. If you get a chance to visit The Bazaar, the outrageous decor by Philippe Starck and unusual take on cocktails will be worth the trip! Cheers!