the mojito!!

[sabienkaine]

right im confused.
rip/dont rip mint?
brown sugar or white sugar?
angostura or not?
soda?
what bloody rum?

ive just started a job in my first real cocktail bar, an noone can tell me the deffinitive method of making a mojito, help

[Side Show Bob (ex PornStar)]

i don't think there is one DEFFINITIVE way to make a mojito.

The way Ive learn't to make all my classics is to sit at home and practice till I make it the way I like it then I'll try it others.

My method is:

• 12 Mint leaves (decent sized) lay them in your hand and clap the
  other hand down to crack the leaves slightly. Drop into glass.
  
• Add whatever sugar (cane, syrup, brown) you want, crystal sugar makes a nice crunchy Mojito, Im experimenting at the moment using different sugar and Rum combinations to see if Damerera (Brown sugar) goes better with Mount Gay Eclipse (Gold rum), or Bacardi Carta Blanca (White rum).
  
• Then Squeeze in 3 lime wedges (drop each wedge into glass after you've squeeze them)
  I squeeze the lime to get the maximum juice and also to prevent over muddling the mint and getting a sour drink.
  
• Now Softly muddle, your trying to extract the juices and oils from the lime skin not pulp everything, while mixing with the other ingredients.
  
• Add Crushed Ice upto an inch from the rim of the glass.
  
• Add 3 dashes of Angostura Bitters (if you want them, i don't always have them to hand and they don't always improve a drink for me, I think its about personal taste and preference, if in doubt ask the customer after all its them drinking it)
  
• Add Rum (some bars use a particular rum because its cheaper than others, I prefer Mount Gay Eclipse at the moment)
  
• Now taste the drink (for anyone who doesn't know, take a long straw and insert it into the drink. Hold the straw with your thumb and third finger and cap the end of the straw with your index finger. Lift the straw out of the drink, put the open end in your mouth and remove your finger allowing the contents to run out.)
  
• At this point make minor adjustments to the drink, more sugar, more lime, more bitters, taste it again and continue when satisfied.
  
• Now insert your bar spoon and lift the mint and limes to the top of the ice. This is why I leave a gap when adding the ice as it will spill everywhere. Basically lifting the mint and limes stop them blocking the straws. Also if your serving a hot lady or guy the last thing you want to kiss is a person with teeth full of mint, if you get that far ;D)
  
• Now top up the ice.
  
• Top up with soda, you shouldn't be adding masses of soda, its simply to make the drink longer and more palatable.
  
• Garnish with a mint sprig and two straws.
  

The key to this drink is practice, when I started out I made up Mojito's without rum or bitters, which is a great base to start with as you'll develop a nice base. Great for long hot summer shifts, very refreshing and alco free for drivers or workers. So the boss can't bitch about drinking on shift.

Hope this Helps.
Rob.L

[patchy]

My favorite way is around half a lime(depending on size) muddled with brown sugar. clap and drop 5 good sized mint leaves. 2 shots of bacardi 8, ice and shake. Then garnish with the crown of a mint branch and cut the straws so they stick just above the glass so every sip you get the full mint affect

[simberab]

white sugar

[mickoin]

yeah i use white sugar - about 5 - 7 mints leaves and abouts 3/4 of a lime cut into 8ths