Friday night mojitos

This is probably a bad sign that I'm thinking about cocktails so early, but it is Friday. Sounds like a good day for take-out to me, unless, of course you want to drink Strawberry Honey Mojitos for dinner. A twist on the Cuban mojito, this drink gets its sweetness from honey rather than sugar.

Fresh mint leaves are a must for both drinks and you'll need to "muddle" them by crushing in the bottom of the glass with the back of a long spoon (or an honest-to-goodness muddler). This releases the herb's oils and flavors the drink. (Watch me make - and drink - a mojito in my kitchen. Notice how I say rum ... my son makes fun of me unmercifully over that.) This thing pictured here is a muddler. Look for one at kitchen stores or well-stocked liquor stores.

For take-out, I say find a local Cuban joint and get shredded roast pork, rice and black beans. Don't forget the fried plantains.

Strawberry Honey Mojito
3 strawberries
5 fresh mint leaves
1 tablespoon honey
1 lime
Ice cubes
1 1/2 ounces light rum
2 ounces soda water

In a tall glass, combine the strawberries, mint leaves and honey. Muddle them until the strawberries are well crushed and the mint leaves bruised.

Juice half of the lime into the glass. Cut the remaining half of the lime into wedges. Fill the glass two-thirds full with ice, then add the lime wedges. Pour in the rum and soda water. Stir gently and serve.

Serves 1.

Source: Associated Press

Mojito

2 to 3 ounces Light rum
Juice of 1 lime
2 teaspoon sugar
2 to 4 mint sprigs
Soda water

Lightly muddle the mint and sugar with a splash of soda water in a mixing glass until the sugar dissolve and you smell the mint. Squeeze the lime into the glass, add rum and shake with ice. Strain over cracked ice in a highball glass. Top with soda water, garnish with mint sprig and serve.

Serves 1.

Source: Webtender.com