Boujee Mojitos: 3 ways
Updated: May 18, 2020
#mojitos3ways#classiclimemojito
#lemonblueberrymojito #basilberrymojito
Classic Lime, Lemon-Blueberry, and Basil-Berry! Best enjoyed with a side of sunshine, a floppy hat and sandals!
When the weather heats up, it's time for a refreshing cocktail! When the weather heats up during a quarantine, it's really time for a cocktail! I don't know about ya'll, but this quarantine has me a little stir crazy. All judgement aside, most parents trying to homeschool a second grader and raise a toddler at the same time might need a break..a break that involves a fruity cocktail and lots of sunshine! A classic mojito is always a winner, but mojitos are also one of the most fun cocktails to get creative with. I'm sure I'll have more mojito recipes to come in the future, but here's a few to get you started. Great for a late weekend afternoon on the patio by your lonesome or with your favorite people! Just be sure to drink them fast if it's a little warm outside, otherwise the ice might melt quickly and the club soda will lose its fizz! ;)
Tips to Consider:
DIY Simple Syrup is way worth it!
I recommend making your own simple syrup. You can make a ton of it for a lot less money than that tiny bottle they sell at the liquor store and it's completely fool proof to make! Just make sure you have a container with a cap that can screw on tightly, so you can have it on hand when you need it. It keeps for around 2-3 weeks in the fridge and is amazing to have on hand for cocktails of all kinds!
Freshest is the Best-est
Make sure that you're also using the freshest fruit possible to ensure that your drink(s) aren't too tart or lacking that extra tad of sweetness they need. Perfect lemons have a sweetness to them, but if they're starting to go bad they'll taste bitter and very tart. The same rule applies for limes, so make sure the exterior is nice and shiny and vibrant in color. They'll also have a little give to their texture, which means they're extra juicy inside. Lemons and limes that are going bad will start to look very dull in color and you'll also be able to feel the peel starting to separate from the actual fruit inside when you squeeze it. They also might feel very hard, meaning the juices inside have dried up. I also don't recommend frozen fruit. Frozen fruit contains more water and as it oozes out, it'll dilute your cocktail, plus it's just not as sweet as the fresh stuff!
Tools You'll Need:
Don't have a muddler? Time to invest in one, I promise you won't regret it! I haven't been able to find other kitchen utensils that can apply the same efficiency as using a muddler to make these, so if you don't have one, maybe ask a neighbor to borrow one or make a quick trip to the store.
I also use 8 oz glasses for these, I feel like it makes a good balance of all the ingredients versus using a taller glass and having to add more club soda.
What You'll Need:
Simple Syrup: (Required for all mojitos)
Yield: 1 1/2 cups
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 heaping cup of assorted berries to infuse *ONLY IF* you're making the Basil- Berry flavor*
How to Prepare:
1. For the simple syrup, combine the sugar and water in a saucepan and stir. Heat until it just barely begins to boil and all sugar has disintegrated. Turn the burner off, remove from heat and set aside to cool.
2. Once cooled, move to a glass container that has a screw top, such as a mason jar. You can save any leftovers in the refrigerator for about 2-3 weeks, just make sure it's sealed tight!
Basil Berry Simple Syrup:
1. Combine sugar, water and a heaping cup of assorted berries into a saucepan and stir.
2. Heat over medium heat until boiling, reduce to a simmer and allow to set about 5-10 minutes. The fruit will become very soft and break apart and the simple syrup will be aromatic and pinkish in color when it's ready.
3. Strain the simple syrup into a glass container and allow to cool. Set aside to enjoy in your basil berry cocktail!
Classic Lime Mojito:
Servings: 1 (makes an 8oz cocktail)
What You'll Need:
4 lime wedges, or half a lime (one wedge for final squeeze and garnish)
3 Tbsp simple syrup
4 mint leaves, plus a few more for garnish
1.5 oz of white rum (1 shot)
Ice
Club soda, best if chilled
How to Prepare:
1. Place 3 lime wedges in the bottom of the glass with your 4 mint leaves. Add the simple syrup and then using the muddler, press down firmly repeatedly and muddle until extremely fragrant and most of the juices from the limes has expressed.
2. Add the ice on top of the muddled mixture and fill the glass all the way to the top.
3. Add your shot of rum in, then pour in your club soda to the top. Stir very well until all flavors have combined. Give it a taste: if the drink tastes too strong, add another tad bit of simple syrup, and stir once more.
4. Squeeze your 4th lime wedge on top and drop it in, and be sure to garnish with a few mint leaves. Enjoy!
Lemon Blueberry Mojito:
Servings: 1 (makes an 8oz cocktail)
When life gives you lemons, put them in your cocktail!
What You'll Need:
4 lemon wedges or 1/2 a large lemon (3 to muddle, one to squeeze on top and garnish with)
5 blueberries, plus a few more for garnish
4 mint leaves plus a few extra for garnish
3 T simple syrup
1.5 oz white rum (1 shot)
Ice
Club Soda, best if chilled
How to Prepare:
1. Combine your simple syrup with 3 of the lemon wedges, blueberries and 4 leaves of mint in your 8oz cocktail glass. Muddle until most of the juices from the lemons have expressed, your blueberries are smooshed and it is extremely fragrant.
2. Fill your cup to the top with ice and pour in your shot of rum. Fill the glass to the top with club soda and stir until all ingredients are well combined. Give a taste, and if it's too strong, add a tiny bit of simple syrup and stir once more. That final squeeze of lemon on top also works magic!
3. Top the drink with one more squeeze of lemon from another wedge (don't skip this final squeeze, it's a game changer) then toss that in along with a few blueberries and sprig of mint to garnish. Enjoy!
Basil Berry Mojito:
Servings: 1 (makes an 8 oz cocktail)
What You'll Need:
4 basil leaves, plus more for garnish
3 slices of a strawberry (you can cut one strawberry into quarters and use 3 of those slices)
3 blueberries
3 raspberries
2 blackberries
3 Tbsp berry infused simple syrup
1.5 oz white rum (1 shot)
Club Soda, best if chilled
Ice
Berries for garnish
1. Combine your fruit, basil and simple syrup in your glass and muddle until very juicy and fragrant.
2. Fill the glass to the top with ice and pour in your shot. Then, fill to the top with club soda and stir very well to incorporate all ingredients. If your drink tastes a little strong, you can add a pinch more of simple syrup and give another stir.
3. Top with assorted berries and a sprig of basil! So fancy! Enjoy!