Mojito

Of course there’s a National Mojito Day and here it is, 11 July, conveniently falling on a Saturday this year. Of course it was inevitable that National Mojito Day would fall in July. No other month could be more appropriate for this most summery and refreshing of cocktails. 

I think I had my first Mojito in Portugal in the summer of 2008. What a heavenly drink it appeared after a hard day’s sailing, and how many of them we gulped down that evening as the sun disappeared behind the hills of Portimao. 

Many years earlier (some 422 according to some accounts) the Mojito had developed in Havana, under the name El Draque, as a cure for scurvy used by Sir Francis Drake and his crew during their raid on Cartagena de Indias. Of course the British Navy was well known for its liberal application of rum, but who knew that the Mojito was actually (almost) a British invention?

1. Gently muddle 10 fresh mint leaves in the base of a chilled highball glass.
2. Add 50ml white rum, 25ml fresh lime juice and 12.5ml sugar syrup.
3. Stir gently, then gradually add crushed ice and keep stirring until the glass is full.
4. Churn well and add a splash of soda.
5. Top with crushed ice and garnish with a sprig of mint.