A Mojito is a drink of Cuban origins, possibly dating back to the 17th century. Traditionally it is made with rum, but I think it is more refreshing with gin.
10-12 fresh spearmint leaves
1 oz fresh lime juice
1 oz simple syrup
1 ½ oz gin*
Ice
Club soda
Lime slice and mint top for garnish
Tear up the mint and muddle in a shaker with the lime juice. Add the simple syrup, gin and ice and shake well. Strain into glass, then use a large spoon to pick out several pieces of ice with mint and add to glass. Add fresh ice until liquid in glass is an inch from the top. Add club soda to fill glass, garnish with lime and mint.
*I don’t recommend Tanqueray – it has a strong taste and overwhelms the mint. May substitute rum for a more traditional Mojito (which usually uses white rum). If you really want a different taste, use a botanical gin.
Raspberry variation
Muddle 3-4 raspberries in with the mint & lime, then garnish with 1-2 berries on top.
Adventuring in the Wild Rumpus 