Virgin Mojito for Two

For Mojito Monday or mojito anyday! So refreshing!

Ingredients:

20 large mint leaves

1/4 cup lime juice

1/4 cup simple syrup (see below)

1 - 355 ml can ginger ale

Lots of ice cubes

(Add 2 oz rum each if you don't want the virgin version)

First off, make a little batch of simple syrup. Bring 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water to a boil just to dissolve the sugar, then cool. Refrigerate the remaining simple syrup for more mojitos!

Next, place the mint leaves, simple syrup and lime juice in a mortar and stir and rub with a pestle 4 or 5 times. You don't want to pulverize the leaves just crush a bit  to release the mint essence.

Distribute evenly into two tall glasses with ice cubes...

...and top with ginger ale. Ahhhhh!

Ginger ale can be substituted with lime sparkling water, club or tonic water.

This one was with lime sparkling water and it was awesome!!

Another Mojito Recipe

Refreshing mojito for 2

8 oz tonic water
3 oz vodka
2 tbsps sugar
2 tbsps water
14 freshly picked mint leaves
1 tbsp lime juice
1/4 tsp lime zest

Start by dissolving the sugar and water in a saucepan, then set aside to cool.

Muddle the mint leaves then add the vodka. Strain out the mint leaves. Mix the minty vodka with the sugar water, lime juice and zest.

Add ice to a couple of tall glasses pour in the mojito mix and top with tonic water.

Bottoms up 🍹

Watermelon and Strawberry Pops

Fresh fruit with only the littlest bit of sugar to sweeten it up.

3 cups watermelon, cubed
1 cup strawberries, chopped
1 tbsp lime juice
Zest of 1 lime
1 tbsp sugar

Whirl everything together in a blender and pour into molds to freeze.

Alternatively you could just add rum and have a Watermelon Rum Slushie...oops drank that up before getting a picture!

Fresh Strawberry Lemonade

So it's June 2nd and it's rainy and cool again, but when it gets hot (it will get hot again right?) you'll want this thirst quenching lemonade in your fridge! And isn't the natural colour pretty?

This recipe makes 3 pints. Double or triple as needed.

3 lemons, sliced
1/2 lime, sliced
8 oz strawberries, chopped
1/3 cup sugar
3  1/2 cups water
Mint sprigs (optional)
Rum (optional...why not?)

Mash sugar and strawberries together, then add the lemon and lime slices and mash to release the juices.

Add the water and, if using, the mint sprigs. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, but not longer as it could become bitter.

Is it just me or does this look like a giant sangria? 

After 30 minutes strain out the fruit.

And if you know me you know I don't like waste. I separated the fruit from the rind, etc to freeze and use in a smoothie later on. Compost the rind.

Add ice (and rum if you're so inclined!)

I might have gotten carried away with the garnishes 😉

Tipsy Teetotaler

Tea with a twist

1 oz Pimms
1 oz vodka
4 mint leaves
splash of maraschino syrup
a few drops of Angostura bitters
lemon iced tea

Start with muddled mint leaves in the bottom of your glass.
Add Pimms, vodka, maraschino syrup and Angostura bitters.

Fill the glass with ice and top with lemon iced tea (whether prepared or homemade)

Garnish with maraschino cherry and lemon

What do you think?