Dear Kid,
Do you know about Mojitos?
While we were on our trip, Dad and I had Mojitos. This was a very exciting moment for your papa as it was his first Mojito.
He was a happy camper.
Mojitos are traditionally made with mint leaves (lightly muddled, please), lime juice (freshly squeezed, please), sugar or simple syrup, crushed ice, rum, soda water (just a splash, please), more mint (for garnish, doncha know), and a slice of lime (because this drink deserves two garnishes).
Mojitos have been around for a very long time (they were not invented by Mrs. Joe Neanderthal, but that’s just because she didn’t hold with diluting alcohol with anything).
It’s possible that Sir Francis Drake helped invent the Mojito in Cuba. At the time, the mojito-like drink was medicinal (it was good for treating scurvy and dysentery, both of which grand supply).
People in Cuba and Miami have been happily drinking Mojitos for the last 500 years. Hemingway was a huge fan as was Brigitte Bardot. In recent years, the Mojito got a big boost in popularity when James Bond (Pierce Brosnan’s version) gave up his martini for a Mojito. Then Sam (from Burn Notice) drank Mojitos regularly (and irregularly).
According to My Friend the Internet, Mojitos are very popular in Poland. And Britain.
Because people think they can, there are number of variations on the Mojito theme. A Mexican Mojito uses tequila instead of rum. A Dirty Mojito uses dark spiced rum, brown sugar, and key limes. The English Mojito uses gin and Sprite instead of rum and soda (and they generally garnish with a cucumber and an accent).
Cheers!
