Neato Mojito

The mojito is one of my all time favorite drinks, especially when done right. Coming home from Vegas, I was craving a good one, with fresh squeezed lime. I watched carefully as the woman at one of the bars crafted a delicious one for me, remembering her ingredients and technique to be able to create my own. This is a perfect spring/summer drink and a pretty one too!

What You'll Need
Mint Leaves
Rock Candy Syrup (Recipe Follows)
1 Lime
Light Rum (Citrus Flavored)
Ice
Club Soda
Something to Muddle with (spoons work OK)
Straws
Optional : Pama Pomegranate Liquer

To make rock candy syrup, in a small saucepan, mix together 1 Cup Water and 2 1/2 Cups Sugar. Over medium heat, simmer for 5 minutes until completely dissolved. Let cool and store in a container for use later.

In a tall glass, place about 8 mint leaves and 4 spoonfulls of rock candy syrup. Muddle well with a spoon. Then, cut a lime in half, then cut off a thin slice for decor later. Squeeze the juice of that lime directly into the glass, throwing the remainer of the lime in also. Be sure to wash your limes. Also, this is immensely easier with a citrus juicer.

Add your ice so that it fills the glass to about 2/3rds full. Add 1.5 shots of light rum. If you like, add 1 shot of rum and 1 shot of Pama liquer instead - Jason prefers a berry or some other fruit in his mojitos so this is his version of it.

Fill to the top with club soda! Add your lime garnish and straw and stir.

Serve with the straw in it - you can drink it with the straw or without, but the mint tends to want to come in your mouth without a straw. Still, I like a challenge!