GINGER SNAP

I had my first Ginger Mint Mojito last month while on vacation in Palm Beach.  A variation of the classic Cuban Mojito, it was by far, the most delicious drink I had ever had.  The cocktail is made with a mixture of muddled mint, ginger, lime juice and light rum; the taste is sweet and complex and wonderfully addictive. Perfect for a spring evening,  I strongly recommend you try one this weekend.

Ginger Mint Mojito
(makes one)

10 mint leaves
1/2 teaspoon minced ginger
1/2 teaspoon raw sugar
1 ounce sparkling water
1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
2 ounces of light or white rum
1/2 ounce lime-ginger syrup
lime wedges and mint to garnish
Place the mint and the ginger in a low ball glass along with the sugar.  Muddle the ingredients together to form a thick paste.
Add the carbonated water and combine.  Add the lime juice, rum and syrup and combine.  Add ice cubes to fill the glass and garnish with mint and lime.


Lime-Ginger Syrup
1 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
1 cup raw sugar
1/3 pound of ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
In a small sauce pan, bring the lime juice to a boil.  Add the raw sugar and ginger and cook for 2 minutes.  Transfer to a blender and puree.  Put pureed mixture through a sieve and refrigerate. Keeps for one week in the refrigerator.
-recipe and photo from food and love blog

Here's the next best thing

Fresh Mint and Ginger Lemonade
1/2 cup fresh chopped mint leaves
1/3 cup fresh chopped ginger
1/3 cup honey
2 cups of boiling water
1/3 cup of fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 cups of cold water

ice cubes
fresh mint
fresh lemon slices
Combine chopped mint, ginger and honey in a bowl. Add boiling water and let steep for 30 minutes. Strain into 4-cup glass measuring cup, pressing on solids to extract liquids. Add lemon juice and enough cold water to measure four cups total. Can be prepared one day ahead.
Fill glass with ice, add tea and garnish with lemon and fresh mint. 
-recipe from Epicurious

Have a lovely weekend-I'll see you soon!