Freejito - The Perfect Mojito

The first time I ever had a mojito, I was at Cafe Roma in San Luis Obispo, CA.  I vaguely had heard of the drink but didn't really know what it was.  When I saw it on the list, I figured I'd give it a try.  With the first sip, I knew that this  would be my drink from that point forward.

I continued to order mojitos at various bars, but I mostly was disappointed with the quality and consistency of the drinks at different locales.  So, I decided that I needed to try for myself.  After lots of research and experimentation, the recipe below finally approaches beverage perfection. Enjoy!

Ingredients (per person)
- 1/2 Lime (1 whole if you like a real kick)
- 1 small handful of Mint Leaves
- Medium-sized Crushed Ice
- 2-3 oz. Simple Syrup (simple to make....see below)
- Bacardi Silver Rum (I eyeball this...maybe will update later)
- Splash of Club Soda
- 1 Squirt (~2 tsp) Pomegranate Concentrate (Optional)

Drinkware & Tools
- 1 Muddler/Stick (Anything hard and the size of a large cigar or small banana)
- 1 Pint Glass (Acrylic is preferred)
- 1 Blender (to crush ice, if needed)
- 1 little cafe frother/whip
- 1 Small towel
- 1 Medium Drink Shaker

Get Your Drink On
Cut the lime into quarters.  Squeeze best you can 2 of those quarters into your pint glass.  I like acrylic glasses because they are indestructible and I find that they don't have as much of a condensation problem as does glass.  Next, wash the mint leaves and start tearing them up with your fingers while dropping them into the glass, but set aside 2 leaves (used later for decoration).

Take the muddler and really grind the lime and leaves in the bottom of the glass.  After pressing and turning the mash together hard for a little bit fill the glass to the top with medium crushed ice.  Don't set down that muddler yet, cause it's time for round two.  I find it helps to throw a small towel over my hand and the glass as I crush/mix the ice with the mint/lime solution.  Don't just tap it, crank on that sucker til it's mixed.

OK, simple syrup...it's really simple. Basically, it is equal parts sugar and water.  I normally take a small 8oz juice glass and add equal parts sugar and water so that it comes up to about a 1/3 of the glass' height.  I then mix it with a $1 frother tool from IKEA. After about 10-15 seconds it is fully mixed and now is "simple syrup".  Add that to the glass with the ice and mint/lime solution.

(optional step) I really like adding a squirt of pomegranate concentrate to the mojito. It gives it a unique red color and adds a very special kick to the drink.  However, this can be expensive and hard to find so it stay optional. A little goes a long way, and too much makes it too sweet.

Next, add rum.  How much is up to you, but I'd suggest adding 1-2 shots worth.  Add the club soda now to the top of the glass.

Pop the big piece of your cocktail shaker onto the glass. Give it a good hard tap. Flip it. Shake it. Flip it back. Now, give the shaker a small twist to pull it off the glass.  Drop in the 2 mint leaves from before and you are ready to drink.