Mojito

Sharp, tangy and refreshing, the Mojito is the signature cocktail of Cuba, and the perfect accompaniment to long, hot summer nights. The exact origin of the Mojito cocktail is uncertain, but the most widely accepted story dates to the 16th century, when Sir Frances Drake’s ships were headed for Havana; his crew onboard were suffering a particularly bad outbreak of scurvy and dysentery. The locals were known to have remedies for tropical illnesses, so a boarding party went ashore and returned with a medicine made up of sugar cane rum, lime, sugar cane juice and mint. Although it wasn’t called a Mojito at the time, it’s the first record of the ingredients being mixed together as a drink.

Served in a tall Collins glass, the secret to making an authentic Mojito is in the muddling of the lime, sugar and mint. Some Mojito recipes use sugar syrup and lime juice to save time muddling the ingredients, but crushing the harsh grains of sugar against the mint leaves helps to release more of their sharp fragrance.

Step One: In a highball glass, add the sugar, lime juice, mint leaves, and a splash of the club soda.

Step Two: Muddle just enough to dissolve the sugar and release the flavor of the mint and then add a good handful of crushed ice and pour over the rum

Step Three: Stir the mixture with a long handled spoon and top up with Fever-Tree Premium Club Soda. Garnish with a sprig of mint and enjoy.