Mojito

In these trying economic times I am finding that making fancy drinks at home is a great way to save money. Then when you do go out to the bar you can just sip on a two dollar beer.

This is a fun drink to make and impresses everyone you serve it to. Find fresh mint at your local farmers market (I pay $1.50 for a huge bunch), cut off the bottom of the stems and store it in the fridge in a plastic container with an inch of water in the bottom. It will keep for over a week.

Simple syrup is easy to make, but for such a small quantity I find it much easier to buy it premade at Trader Joe's. I've been working off the same bottle in my refrigerator for more than a month.

Recipe

2 oz. gold rum

1 spoonful simple syrup (two cups sugar, one cup water)

Juice of 1 lime (must be fresh to preserve flavor of the drink)

Soda water

Mint leaves

Muddle about 20 leaves with simple syrup in the bottom of a highball glass. Add rum and lime juice, fill glass with ice and top off with soda water. Serve with a straw .

Enjoy!