5 simple ingredients, 1 perfect cocktail (part 1)

When made right, mojitos can be one of the most refreshing cocktails that you can get. It is a perfect balance between sweet, minty, and sour. While bartenders do make a great mojito it's also a great, simple drink to make at home. Sometimes a refreshing drink in the sunshine on your porch is all you want. Now, you don't have to sacrifice having a tasty, expensive cocktail to have a drink at home.

While mojitos are a tasty drink, they also have a very interesting history of how the classic Cuban drink came about. While it can not be proved, some trace the origin of the mojito back to 1586. Sir Frances Drake was one of a band of privateers for Queen Elizabeth I to plunder Spanish cities in the New World. The mojito was originally called the "Draque," named after him.

There are two theories about the origin of the Draque, which was a rum-like cane spirit, lime, mint leaves, and sugar. The first being that Havana was warned before Drake made it to Cuba, and they prepared for him to steal the Aztec gold stored in the city's royal treasury. After several days of waiting Drake sailed away with few shots fired. It is thought that his visit to Cuba was eventful enough to have a drink named after him.

The other theory is that it did not actually originate in Cuba but on Drake's ship. They used the mixture as medicine to fight fever and colds. Whether it was first made on the ship or in Cuba, though, it was recognized for its medicinal value in Cuba.

When the Bacardi company began, the drink was changed to the mojito. They used rum to make the Draque and called it a mojito. Bacardi promoted the cocktail heavily throughout their early advertising. They continue to advertise with a mojito, and have even begun to make the cocktail in cans!

Now that you know the exciting history of the mojito it's time to learn how to make one! Like with mocktails, the quality of the ingredients you use will cause the drink to taste better, but use what you have and what you can afford. The only helpful piece of equipment for this drink is a muddler, but the back of a spoon will work in a pinch!

Now, it's time to make a cocktail! I recommend using all cocktail recipes as a guideline and balancing them to your taste after some trial and error. A balanced cocktail is going to taste different for everyone.

Recipe:
1oz simple syrup
5-7 mint leaves
2 lime wedges
2 oz rum
sparkling water

Directions:
Add simple syrup, mint, and lime wedges to a glass. Muddle together at bottom of glass.
Add rum and stir.
Add ice to top of glass.
Top with sparking water and stir.
Garnish with mint leaf and lime wedge if desired.