Cuban Mojito
The original authentic recipe from Havana Cuba
courtesy of Buford Shively, The Gansville Herb Company
- 1 teaspoon powdered sugar
- juice from 1 lime (2 ounces)
- 4 mint leaves (Original Cuban Mojito Mint)**
- 1 sprig of mint
- 2 ounces Havana Club white rum
- 2 ounces club soda
There are countless recipes for the Mojito (pronounced moh-HEE-toh), but this version is for the one Hemingway himself enjoyed at the Mojito's place of birth: La Bodequita de Medio in Havana, Cuba.
Place the mint leaves into a long Mojito glass (often called a "Collins" glass) and squeeze the juice from a cut lime over it. You'll want about two ounces of lime juice, so it may not require all of the juice from a single lime. Add powdered sugar, then gently smash the mint into the lime juice and sugar with a muddler (a long wooden device, though you can use the back of a fork or spoon if one isn't available). Add ice (preferably crushed) then add the rum and stir and top off with the club soda. Garnish with a mint sprig.
** Although any mint can be used, the preferred mint is spearmint. The Original Cuban Mojito Mint is the spearmint used in the original recipe and is now available from The Gansville Herb Company.