Drink 105: Muddle Buddies

Looks as good as it tastes

Today we have the Mojito, a mixture of rum, lime, sugar, club soda, and mint.   The Mojito was the “it” drink of Los Angeles in 2001.   It was the go-to drink in Kissimmee, Florida, in 2008.  That means it is due to be the hot drink of Indiana sometime late next year.  Get ready, Hoosiers, because it is tasty.  The Mojito has the longest history of any drink we’ve tried, with a precursor dating all the way to the 16^th century.   That makes it a little odd that the Mojito was named one of the 25 most influential cocktails of the past century.  It throws the whole list into doubt.  I now have no choice but to question how much influence the Gin Gin Mule actually has.

Enough with the facts, let’s have some commentary.  The Mojito is a great drink.  I can see why people have been drinking it in some form for almost 500 years.   That is real staying power. I seriously doubt that in the year 2525, if man is still alive, he will choose to drink a Canal Street Daisy.   If woman can survive, she won't want one either. Of course, by the year 2525 woman will be killed at the age of 29 in the fiery ritual of Carrousel, so she will have bigger things to worry about but she will still want a Mojito.

Why is the Mojito so good?  Because mint and lime is really a great combination that helps balance out the sweetness of the sugar and rum.  I have read that some people add angostura bitters to cut the sweetness.  I guess those folks didn’t think to just put less sugar in the drink.  The Mojito also gave Mrs. Bottle another chance to muddle some mint.  Muddling makes her so happy I’m going to start drinking a Mojito every morning.  That way we will both start off the day with smiles on our faces.

Earliest known painting of a Mojito
and its inventor Richard Drake

Overall Rating for the Mojito

Taste: 5

Presentation: 5

Ease of Preparation: 2

Drinks Until Blackout: 9 – 12% Alcohol

Ingredients

2 oz Light Rum

2 tsp Sugar

1 Lime, halved

2 Sprigs Fresh Mint

Club Soda