Drink of the Week: Mojito

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I wanted to share with you all a recipe for the minty sweet treat, the mojito. While not exactly a mystery to make, its sometimes overlooked by the home bartender, and that is a crying shame, since it is a most perfect cocktail. One that is refreshing, and summery and quenches your thirst like no other. (So yes, this post may not be seasonally appropriate. Then again, some of you are in Australia, right?)

So what is it? The drink itself is native to the island nation of Cuba (and rumored to have been a favorite drink of Hemingway) which is also home to more than a few sugar cane fields. My little addition to this (almost) classic, is to include a sugar cane swizzle stick, because I love me the sugar cane and any time I can work it in, I do (and so far, this is the only recipe I actually have worked it in to!) So for some breezy giggles, try this and enjoy!


8 mint leaves
2 tablespoons sugar syrup
Juice from 1/2 lime
1 1/2 ounces white rum
ice
Splash of club soda

For the sugar cane, use a (really) large, (and super) heavy knife (have you got a machete?) and split it in half, then whack it into shorter pieces at the ribs, peel and cut into rectangles. To enjoy, just bite down (not through) on the stick and suck. Mmmm. That my friends is pure, unadulterated sugar.

For the drink, combine the mint, sugar syrup and lime juice in a tall glass and using the handle of a long spoon, crush the mint. Add the rum and ice, splash with soda water and garnish with mint and sugar cane stick.

Repeat as many times as needed.

Makes two drinks.





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*** Wow, as I write I am listening to Eddie from Deep End Dining talk about Balut on KCRW. Check it out! Its awesome to hear a LA Food Blogger on the radio!!!! ***

Sugar Cane originated in the South Pacific where people believed that their first ancestors came from two sugar cane buds.

A two foot long cane of sugar (cane) was $0.99 at the Whole Foods in Santa Monica, CA this week

Christopher Columbus planted the first sugar cane in the new world on the island of Hispanola (Present day Haiti and the Dominican Republic) in 1493

I like to order mojitos at: Blue on Blue (Hotel Avalon, Beverly Hills), Havana on Sunset (West Hollywood) and Lola's (On Fairfax)

This Sunday, at noon Ill be at the Atwater Village Farmers Market, 3250 Glendale Blvd., at Larga Ave., Glendale for the chile contest! To enter Call (323-463-3171) or e-mail info@farmernet.com for more info.