dirty mojito

As it turns out, we spent this summer "researching" cocktails and building quite an impressive bar collection, with not only staples like: gin, vodka or tequila, but also with some interesting additions of Lillet, Dubonnet, Creme de Cassis or Chartreuse. We've purchased all kinds of barware and befriended new words like jigger and muddler. It's been an interesting adventure for a "cocktail virgin", like myself.
So far, we've found some definite favorites, like this refreshing cucumber gimlet or very festive looking Pimm's cup. We were amazed, how easy it is to make your own ginger ale, and even easier to mix it into some fun cocktails. And finally we've started growing mint to support our ongoing taste-testing of summery mojitos. We've tried all kinds of different recipes and in the end settled on a dirty mojito as our favorite. This recipe calls for dark rum and brown sugar. They will both make your mojito look like muddy waters, but don't be put off by its color, as it has very interesting, complex flavor.

Dirty Mojito

(you can find "clean" version here)

ingredients

6 oz spiced rum

12 mint sprigs, roughly broken apart(spearmint works best)

6 Tbsp fresh lime juice

4 Tbsp evaporated cane juice sugar

2 lime slices

club soda

ice

directions

Place mint and some lime juice in a shaker, muddle it gently. Add rum, sugar, few ice cubes and the rest of lime juice. Shake well, until most of sugar dissolves. Divide between two tall glasses filled with ice. Top it off with desired amount of club soda. Garnish with lime and enjoy!

Posted by M. at 12:31 PM