Mojito is a traditional Cuban cocktail which became popular in the United States during the late 1980s, and has recently seen a resurgence in popularity. There are several theories behind the origin of the name Mojito; one such theory holds that name relates to mojo, a Cuban seasoning made from lime and used to flavour dishes. Another theory is that the name Mojito is simply a derivative of mojadito, Spanish for “a little wet”, or simply the diminutive of “mojado” (wet).
A mojito is traditionally made of five ingredients: spearmint, rum, sugar (traditionally sugar cane juice), lime, and carbonated water. Its combination of sweetness and refreshing citrus and spearmint flavors are intended to mask the potent kick of the rum, and have made this clear cocktail a popular summer drink.
Mojito History
A mojito (pronounced mo-HEE-toe), one of Cuba’s oldest cocktails, comes from the African word mojo, which means to place a little spell. Bacardi traces the drink’s roots to 1586, when Francis Drake and his pirates tried to sack Havana for its gold. While the invasion was unsuccessful, Drake’s associate, Richard Drake, was said to have invented a mojito like cocktail known as El Draque made with aguardiente (a crude forerunner of rum), sugar, lime and mint. Early on, it was consumed for medicinal purposes. Around the mid-1800s, the recipe was altered and gained in popularity as the original Bacardi Company was established. In 1940, Cuban playwright and poet Federico Villoch proclaimed: “When aquardiente was replaced with rum, the Draque was to be called a Mojito.’‘
Other accounts suggest that slaves working in Cuban sugar cane fields in the late 19th century invented the mojito.Ernest Hemingway fancied them at La Bodeguita del Medio in Havana as well as in Key West (his favorite drink was the daiquiri, though). James Bond (aka Pierce Brosnan) drank one in Die Another Day, which was set in Cuba. Next month: an appearance in the Miami Vice movie.
hemingway with mojito
- Helley Berry Holding Mojito in Die Another Day
The Recipe
Ingredients
- White Rum – 60ml
- 8 Pieces Lime
Lime/ Lemon Chunks
- White Sugar – 2 Tea Spoon (Monin Mojito Mint syrup can be added
white sugar
instead of White Sugar for an enhanced mint flavor)
- Mint Leaf – 10- 12 leaves
-
mint leaves
- Soda Water – to top
- Ice 6-8 cubes
Method:
Step 1: Add mint leaf, White sugar and lime pieces into a chilled highball glass.
Step2: Muddle the mixture so that the juice of lime comes out and flavor form mint is released.
See Bacardi mojito song video to understand how to muddle. But don’t muddle such a long time as it will make the drink bitter
Step3: Fill the glass with crushed ice or cube ice as preference. Ideally crushed ice works better
Step4: Add White rum on top.
Step5: Top up with soda water.
Step 6: Stir and add garnish on top
Garnish: Mint Sprig
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