Cuban Mojito History and Recipe

[El Presidente]

Miami Herald

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 mojitolike 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.

THE RECIPE

• 12 fresh spearmint leaves

• 2 tablespoons simple syrup (see note)

• 1 ounces light rum

• lime, sliced

• Splash of club soda

• Lime wedge and mint sprigs for garnish

In a highball glass, gently crush the mint leaves and the sliced lime with a muddler or the back of a spoon. Add syrup, and fill glass with ice. Add rum and top with club soda. Stir to mix. Garnish with lime wedge and a few sprigs of mint. Makes 1 servings.

Note: Make simple syrup by heating 1 part sugar with 1 part water until dissolved; cool before using. You may substitute 4 teaspoons superfine sugar.

[n2advnture]

Gotta love a great Mojito!

I have read/heard very good things about the Casa Fuente Mojitos in Las Vegas...can't wait to try "one" next week!

~Mark

[harwellplant]

i, like others, love a mojito. i, also like others i know, have made drinks at home in an effort to follow the recipe that have tasted like anus. i don't know where i, or they, steered wrong, but we sure as hell ended up on a different road than where we meant to be.

[Taino]

I like a good mojito, the only problem is that white rum... boy! that thing is toxic.

[Well Armed]

my wife had a blackberry mojito at a mexican restaurant and it was the only mojito I have ever liked.

[Guest boss hogg]

» I like a good mojito, the only problem is that white rum... boy! that thing

» is toxic.

Try Don Q white rum from Puerto Rico next time. Bacardi is toxic. Don Q is BMW 12 cylinder smooth.

[Professor Twain]

» I have read/heard very good things about the Casa Fuente Mojitos in Las

» Vegas...can't wait to try "one" next week!

I had my first Mojito att CF in February. It was a perfect drink in a great setting. Enjoy!

[Fia]

» Gotta love a great Mojito!

»

» I have read/heard very good things about the Casa Fuente Mojitos in Las

» Vegas...can't wait to try "one" next week!

»

» ~Mark

For some reason if Gina makes your Mojito at Casa Fuente, it tastes even better!:-D

[xibbumbero]

I make mine w/3yr Ron Varadero Blanco and they be good. X

[bgoodz]

Have been wanting to try one....thanks for the recipe El P..

[mailman]

» Miami Herald

»

» 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 mojitolike 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.

»

» THE RECIPE

»

» • 12 fresh spearmint leaves

»

» • 2 tablespoons simple syrup (see note)

»

» • 1 ounces light rum

»

» • lime, sliced

»

» • Splash of club soda

»

» • Lime wedge and mint sprigs for garnish

»

» In a highball glass, gently crush the mint leaves and the sliced lime with

» a muddler or the back of a spoon. Add syrup, and fill glass with ice. Add

» rum and top with club soda. Stir to mix. Garnish with lime wedge and a few

» sprigs of mint. Makes 1 servings.

»

» Note: Make simple syrup by heating 1 part sugar with 1 part water until

» dissolved; cool before using. You may substitute 4 teaspoons superfine

» sugar.

you guys are going to get me into alot of trouble!;-)

[puffman]

If I'm going to partake of the demon alkeehaul, the mojito is the only way to fly for me.

>>I make mine w/3yr Ron Varadero Blanco and they be good. X:lol2: )

[jseeds]

Tis Mojito season for me too.

I've been making them lately with rhum agricole from Martinique for something a little more refreshing.

Mo'jitos

Mo'problems

-js