Mmmm, Mmmm, Mojitos

When Josh and I were planning our garden this spring, we decided that we wanted to try mint so we could make our own mojitos.  We didn't have a tried and true recipe, or even a rum to use, but we love mojitos.  Finally our mint was ready for harvest, just in time for Josh's birthday!  Commence research mode!  Ok, so I really just googled "Best rum for mojitos."  First result?  This article.  We also decided to stick with the recipe they listed so we would get great results.

-Mint leaves (approximately 8 depending on size and your taste)
-1/2 oz.simple syrup
-2 oz. white rum
-3/4 oz. lime juice (about one lime, and fresh lime is definitely better)
-Lots of ice
-Club soda

To make the simple syrup boil a one to one ratio of water and sugar until the sugar is dissolved.  Let it cool as much as you can stand before using it.  Put the mint in a regular glass.  Add the simple syrup and muddle the mint leaves (I used the handle side of our wisk, because I'm legit like that).  Add the lime juice.  Fill the glass with ice.  Pour the rum over the ice and top off the glass with club soda (we just made our own plain, fizzy water with the soda stream.  Stir and enjoy, preferably on a patio in a lounge chair.

As for rum, our liquor store did not have Brugal (voted "best in show") but they did have the second place Don Q Cristal ("Highly recommended/ great value").  It was about $12 for a liter.  Great value and delicious.  We went through the whole liter that weekend (with a little help from friends) and had to go buy a new one (which we sadly have not opened yet).  Please make these, you will not regret it!