Mojito — Mojitos look like lemonade but they pack the punch of a

Mojitos look like lemonade but they pack the punch of a serious spirit-forward drink. That deceptive clarity hides two ounces of rum and a muddling technique that can make or break the entire cocktail.

Ingredients

• 2 oz white rum
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1 oz simple syrup
• 8 to 10 fresh mint leaves
• 1 lime wheel
• Club soda to top
• Garnish: a lime wheel
• Garnish: a fresh mint sprig

Method

Grab a Collins glass and drop in your mint leaves with the simple syrup and lime juice. Now here’s the technique — gentle muddling. Press the mint leaves against the bottom of the glass just enough to bruise them and release their oils. You’re not trying to pulverize them. Think of it as pressing, not pounding. Too aggressive and you’ll extract bitter chlorophyll that turns the drink swamp green and astringent. Add your rum and give it a quick stir to combine everything. Fill the glass with ice — crushed ice is traditional, but cubes work fine. Top with club soda, leaving about half an inch of headspace. Stir once more to integrate the soda without killing all the fizz.

Serve

Serve this tall in a Collins glass with that lime wheel and mint sprig. Slap the mint sprig between your palms before dropping it in — that releases even more aroma right under your nose.

Pro Tip

Spearmint is your best bet for mojitos. It’s got clean, bright flavor without the aggressive punch of peppermint. If you can only find peppermint, use fewer leaves — maybe five or six instead of eight. And never, ever use dried mint. You’re better off making a different drink entirely.