Magical mojito
Nothing beats the taste of a fresh, crisp mojito during the summer. It is so refreshing and punchy. There’s something that makes it simply irresistible. In India, mojito can be had throughout the year, given our weather conditions.
This seductive rum Mint Julep from Cuba, has taken over the cocktail scene. And now more and more variations are being made. It’s the only cocktail that can be placed in the same category popularity-wise, as the margarita.
The rum used has to be of high quality. There can be no compromise in that, else the taste and experience is marred. A mojito is traditionally made of five ingredients: white rum, sugar syrup, lime, club soda and mint. Its combination of sweetness, refreshing citrus and mint flavours are intended to complement the potent kick of the rum.
Alexander Day, Partner at Death & Co., creator of the bar programme at Ellipsis recently told me, “A mojito is simply a framework for a very common idea: Spirit, fresh citrus, mint. There are many cocktails that follow this foundation, so the creative bartender can go in endless directions when applying their own twist to a mojito. Fresh fruits are the obvious addition, but we only add to a mojito when it betters the experience. It’s hard to make something so staggeringly delicious better, so we often keep it simple.
Mint syrup is a convenient trick, but we find, applying any sort of heat to mint leaves draws the bitterness in the leaf and takes away from the delicacy of fresh leaves.”
Fruits do wonders in a mojito. Kumquats, lemon, oranges can safely be used. Watermelon, lychee, mangoes, strawberries, raspberries are also worth experimenting with.
At house parties, too, a mojito is a popular choice. Probably because it is easy to prepare, hardly requires any ingredients and rejuvenates you immediately.
Everyone has their own little spin, when it come to a mojito, and I am no exception. I have actually experimented and created a great one with vodka and simply love that. And yes, I prefer it with lime zest.
A friend of mine adds ginger ale to the rum in her version of mojito. I once tried a strawberry mojito at a bar in Goa and have ever since incorporated it into my repertoire for my parties and it is always the numero uno cocktail.
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