For the mom who has everything, how about a mojito for Mother’s Day?

Looking for a special drink for Mom on Mother’s Day? Check out what local writer David Holloway has to share for the mom who has everything.

Sunday is Mother’s Day and the lady of the day will doubtlessly be awash in lots of stuff designed in show in some small way how important she is to our daily lives.

The classic gifts will include plenty of breakfasts in bed and flowers and other stuff, but for some mothers the celebration will be a little more basic. The party will be more centered on the simple idea that no party is complete without some (ahem) beverages.

There are lots of ways to celebrate and for some folks that means gathering for a spot of something icy cold and refreshing. With the weather starting to warm up at a rapid rate, I’m going to offer a suggestion that I think will hit the spot.

I recently returned from a much-deserved vacation. (OK, I hear you snickering; vacation from what, you say?)

But I found myself in a part of the country where this particular beverage is very popular. The mojito is found virtually everywhere in South Florida, especially the Keys, where every watering hole claims to make the best one of these iconic summertime beverages.

According to legend and lore, this rum-based drink gained worldwide attention because it was one of the many favorite libations of Ernest Hemingway. He found it first, according to what I hear, on his travels to Cuba and helped popularize it in Key West where he famously resided.

They are, indeed, the prefect libation for a warm day and believe me, the days do get warm down in Key West.

It’s a simple drink, one comprised of rum, simple sugar and mint. I like to think of it as a sort of cousin to the mint julep, only instead of bourbon you use rum to add the extra kick.

Here’s a good recipe for this iconic summertime cocktail. It may be just the thing to help Mom enjoy her special day.

Classic Mojito

Makes 6 drinks

Ingredients:

3 cups (packed) fresh mint leaves

9 tablespoons sugar

1 1/2 cups light rum

1/2 cup fresh lime juice

6 cups club soda

6 cups crushed ice

6 lime wedges

Instructions:

Reserve 6 mint leaves for garnish. Place remaining mint leaves in medium bowl. Add sugar. Mash with wooden spoon until mint is aromatic and oils are released. Add rum and lime juice and stir until sugar dissolves. Strain mixture into pitcher. (Can be prepared 2 hours ahead; refrigerate.)

Add club soda to pitcher; gently stir. Fill each of 6 glasses with 1 cup crushed ice. Pour mojito over and garnish each glass with 1 mint leaf and 1 lime wedge.

Originally posted on AL.com by David Holloway.

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