Glassware: Collins Glass
1.5 oz. Probitas White Blended Rum
.75 oz. Lime Juice
.75 oz. Simple Syrup
3 oz. Club Soda
Garnish: Mint Sprig
Directions: Combine ingredients, except for club soda, in a cocktail saker, and shake with ice (a 13 count or until the shaker starts to frost). Strain over ice into a Collins glass, top with club soda and stir to integrate. Garnish, serve and enjoy!
Story: Very few cocktails can match the fame of a Mojito. Like many classic cocktails, it is one often ordered, but not always delivered upon in form. The legend of the beverage itself, stretches as far back to Sir Frances Drake and his Caribbean exploits, but is more modernly remembered for loud music and a loud feeling head the day after. In that sense, to combat the often astray modern delivery of the cocktail, the Mojito remains a core pillar of the foundation of learning to make drinks.
At its very core, the Mojito is a member of the “sour” family. Take a base spirit, add a sweetener and citrus and there is a sour. This is the type of drink that has existed for thousands of years and been used as everything from medicine (much like the legends of the Mojito) to something to give people the courage to speak to each other. What elevates the Mojito from a traditional sour is the addition of two ingredients, carbonation and mint. Carbonation adds a brightness and lightness to the drink, and mint adds pure cooling refreshment in the way that makes you want to order drink after drink.
Why this beverage has gained infamy over the years is through its many facets of delivery. The usage of pre-made and over-sugared mixes yielding sweet candy like flavors yet painful mornings the next day is one of them. However, when made correctly, true to form, it’s easy to see why the Mojito has lasted centuries as one of the most popular drinks in the world.
