Minty Mojitos - the Perfect Refreshing Summer Cocktail

Submitted by Dee Licious

"Don't be scared off by the idea of putting mint in your drink - it's actually VERY refreshing! This is my absolute favorite cocktail! I was a bartender for 13 years and trust me I've tried a few cocktails in my time. I made some for my Mother-in-law and Father-in-law when I first met them and they still beg me to make them every time we go back to visit. This is the quick version and you can use EITHER vodka or rum (or both if you're feeling dangerous and daring)."

 

• Ready In: 3mins
• Ingredients: 5
• Serves: 1

ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 ounces bacardi rum or 1 1/2 ounces vodka
• 12 ounces Sprite (or similar soda)
• 1⁄2 fresh lime, juice of
• 5 fresh mint leaves
• ice cube

directions

1. Pour one shot (or more if you're in that sort of mood) of either rum or vodka (officially it's rum - but we won't tell anyone if you use vodka)into a tall glass.
2. Add lime juice to glass.
3. Rinse mint and drop into the glass with alcohol and lime juice. By the way, just in case you're thinking about it -- NEVER EVER EVER substitute mint liquor or bottled flavorings of ANY kind for fresh mint - trust me, you will deeply regret this if you ever try it!
4. Muddle mint (if you don't have an "official" muddler you can use a spoon or the handle of a spatula or whatever else you have on hand that will fit into the glass). The object here is to crush/bruise the mint leaves a little (NOT shred)to let the "essence" of mint out.
5. Add the 7-Up, Sprite, Fresca or whatever (DON'T use ginger ale - just trust me on this one!).
6. Add ice and stir gently.
7. Drink until glass is empty and room is spinning.
8. The REAL Cuban-style way to make this is using bacardi rum, simple syrup, soda water, and fresh mint. My way has one less step and gets you to the drinking part of the process that much sooner!