How to Make the Perfect Mojito at a Dinner Party

Though Cuba's oldest cocktail was originally used for medicinal purposes, it's now known around the world as the popular Mojito. If you need a signature drink for your next dinner party, try serving these refreshing mint cocktails to your guests. They're easy to make and can be enjoyed before dinner as well as after.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fresh mint leaves
• White sugar
• Lime juice
• Pestle
• White rum
• Crushed ice
• Lemon-lime soda

1. Drop four or five fresh mint leaves in the bottom of a tall Collins glass. If you don't have access to an herb garden, shop an organic grocery for fresh mint.

2. Add 2 tsp. white sugar and 3 tbsp. fresh lime juice and muddle together with a pestle. The muddling will help infuse the fresh mint flavor into the lime juice.

3. Pour in 2 oz. white rum and add some crushed ice.

4. Top off with some lemon-lime flavored soda and stir well. Place a sprig of fresh mint on top for the perfect dinner party cocktail.

Tips & Warnings

• When serving Mojitos at a dinner party, add to the atmosphere by playing some mambo music or decorating for a Havana-style party.
• If you don't have a pestle or muddler, you can use the back of a fork or a long wooden spoon.
• In Cuba, it's common to use guarapo instead of sugar. Guarapo is a sugarcane syrup, and you can generally find it in the Latin section of the grocery. It's sold in cans similar to soda pop. You can also buy it online if you don't have access to a Latin grocery.
• Always offer overnight accommodations or provide taxi service for any dinner guests who are drinking.