Raspberry mojito

A refreshing drink that’s as delicious as it is pretty!

It’s been exciting over the past few years to see creative cocktails making a comeback on restaurant menus in my city. There’s something oh-so-sophisticated about starting an evening out, a party or even just a nice meal at home with a carefully prepared drink that doesn’t just get poured out of a can or bottle. Bartenders across Ottawa are really stepping up their game; I’ve had fun talking with a number of them about the joy of cocktails. Mojitos, a traditional Cuban highball, offer a nice blend of sweet and tart flavours; they are a refreshing drink any time of the year, though many associate them with beaches and summertime. You could make the syrup using other berries, but I do love the pretty pink hue from the raspberries.

Ingredients

Raspberry Syrup:

• 1 cup (250 mL) frozen or fresh raspberries
• 1/4 cup (60 mL) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (60 mL) water
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 mL) lemon juice

Cocktail:

• handful fresh mint leaves (8 – 10)
• 1.5 ounces (45 mL) amber rum
• 1 teaspoon (5 mL) freshly squeezed lime juice
• 2 teaspoons (10 mL) raspberry syrup
• 1 cup (250 mL) crushed ice
• soda water
• whole mint leaves and fresh raspberries, for garnish

Method

Raspberry Syrup:

• In a medium saucepan, combine raspberries, sugar, water and juice; bring to a simmer on high heat, stirring frequently.
• Reduce heat to medium and simmer 5 minutes or until raspberries are completely broken down. Strain through a fine meshed sieve, pressing on berries to extract juice.
• Discard pulp and pour syrup into a jar with a tight lid; refrigerate syrup to cool completely.
• The syrup can be stored in the fridge for up to one week and frozen for months.

Mojito:

• Put the mint leaves, lime juice and raspberry syrup into a tall (highball) glass. With a spoon or muddler, mash the leaves against the sides of the glass to bruise them slightly, adding flavour to the drink.
• Add the crushed ice, followed by the rum.
• Fill to within 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) of the top of the glass with soda water. Stir gently to bring the juices up from the bottom of the glass.
• Garnish with mint and raspberries

Makes one cocktail. Recipe can easily be made pitcher-sized!

Looking for more summertime sipping suggestions? Check out my Smoked Watermelon Margarita recipe.