Some of you might know, who
follow us on social media, that we are starting a veggie garden at The
Oaks. We have always grown our own herbs
and had one or two veggie plants over the years, but this year we decided to
make a change and really focus on trying to provide our own veggies for our
guest meals. We want to create a farm to
table aspect of our bed and breakfast business.
With that in mind, I wanted to
start a monthly cocktail recipe made with items you can grow in your back
yard. This month’s recipe is
Mojito. A mojito is great drink to mix
as a cocktail or a mocktail. Make a
pitcher for the whole family to enjoy while welcoming in the summer months
around the fit pit.
Our featured herb this month is
mint. There are multiple kinds of mint you
can grow in your yard, but beware, mint likes to spread. So unless you want to have it everywhere
contain your mint in a pot. If you want
to have a fragrant ground cover, let it roam all over your garden bed. It has the ability to keep coming back year
after year.
We planted the traditional mint,
that you can pick up at your favorite home store or nursery and set it in a pot
by the stairs, leading up to the deck. I
will eventually need to replace my pot, since it broke when switching out plants,
but it should work for a while, as the mint establishes itself. I would wait a few weeks for the roots to set
in before using your mint, but as you do begin to use it, taking a few leaves
here and there should help to promote growth.
Mint can be used in a multitude
of ways and we are going to start off with this simple, yet delicious method in
a Mojito. We like to use fresh
ingredients when we can, so grab those limes and juicer and squeeze that nectar
right out. Since we set our
establishment up with a bar we use Collins glasses for our mojitos. They are tall and slender which gives the
drink some extra pizzazz and views of the mint and lime. Of course if you want to make this into a drink for everyone or all ages, just eliminate the rum, and add a little more simple syrup.
Mojito
4-5 mint leaves
2 oz. of White rum
1 oz. simple syrup
½ oz. lime juice, fresh
4 oz. club soda or sparkling
water
Squeeze in the fresh lime, about
half a lime should do. Add in the mint
leave and muddle, break them up a bit to release their flavor. Add rum and simple syrup. Fill with ice cubes and top off with club
soda. Stir the flavors together. You can garnish your drink with lime wedges
or slices, and a sprig of mint at the top.
To make this a mocktail, add in another ounce to ounce and half more of
simple syrup and leave out the rum.
You can make your own simple
syrup if you plan to make pitchers full, of this delicious cocktail or if you
plan to make other cocktails with simple syrup.
It is as simple as adding water to sugar and heating until the sugar has
dissolved. This is a one-to-one
recipe. Store in the fridge until ready
to use.
We hope you have enjoyed our first herb infused cocktail. Until next time, travel safe and drink up.
