Mojito is a traditional drink from Cuba. The ingredients used for the cocktail are lime, mint leaves, sugar, rum, and soda. Rum has been replaced nowadays to create interesting mocktails.
All the ingredients are mashed/crushed with a muddler to enhance and mix the flavours well. Mojito is a refreshing summer drink, but can be enjoyed any time of the year. Mojito has many variants, which include fruits and soda as well.
A favourite beverage worldwide, especially in summers, the mint and lime in it give it a cool, refreshing flavour, and the soda lightens it up with a fizzy crispness. So this summer, quench your thirst and keep yourselves hydrated and refreshing with these simple and yummy drinks at home.
Serves: 3 members
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Virgin Mojito
Ingredients
* Lemon juice : 2 tbsps
* Lemon pieces : 4 pieces
* Sugar : 2 tbsps (powdered sugar/ sugar syrup)
* Mint leaves : 7 to 8
* Black salt : a pinch
* Ice cubes : 4 to 5, or crushed Ice
* Soda : ½ a glass or as needed
Method
* For Virgin Mojito, firstly decorate the glass.
* Take some lime juice in a bowl, dip the glass in the juice.
* Dip the glass in a bowl with sugar.
* In the same glass, add 4 small pieces of lemon (use half-a- lemon cut into 4 parts).
* Add 7 to 8 mint leaves; you can add more or less depending on your taste.
* Add a pinch of black salt (optional).
* Add 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar or as needed. Alternatively, sugar syrup can also be added.
* Add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, mash, or just crush them all with a wooden crusher.
* Crush them well to neutralise and enhance the flavours well.
* Add some crushed ice/ ice cubes can also be added, till the glass is filled half.
* Add some soda to the glass and you’ve your refreshing and relishing Virgin Mojito.
* Garnish it with a piece of lemon and the drink is ready.
Orange Mojito
Ingredients
* Orange pulp : 2 tbsps
* Lemon pieces : 4
* Mint leaves : 5 to 6
* Orange juice : 1 cup fresh or packed one can be used)
* Sugar : 2 tbsps (powdered or syrup)
* Black salt : a pinch
* Ice cubes : 3 to 4 (crushed ice can also be used)
Method
* Decorate the glass, dip the glass in lemon juice and sugar.
* Add 4 small pieces of lemon (half a lemon cut into 4).
* Add mint leaves depending on your taste; usually, 5 to 6 are enough.
* Add powdered sugar, a pinch of black salt and 2 tablespoons of orange pulp, and a cup of fresh orange juice (freshly squeezed one or any tetra packed one can be used).
* Crush it lightly for the flavours, add some crushed ice/ ice cubes.
* Add some Sprite or any lemon-flavoured drink.
* Garnish it with some mint leaves, and the tasty Orange Mojito is ready.
Watermelon Mojito
Ingredients
* Watermelon : a handful of deseeded pieces
* Lemon pieces : 4 pieces
* Mint leaves : 5 to 6
* Sugar : 2 tbsps or as needed
(powdered/syrup)
* Black salt : a pinch
* Ice cubes : 4 to 5 (crushed ice can also be used)
* Sprite : ½ a glass or as needed (any lemon-based drink can be used)
Method
* As with all Mojitos, decorate the glass.
* Add 1/2 lemon, mint leaves and then, add some watermelon pieces.
* Deseed them and add the watermelon pieces, sugar as needed, and a pinch of black salt.
* Add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, mash/crush it once to mix the flavours well.
* Add some ice cubes/crushed ice.
* Add some Sprite or any other lemon-based drink of your choice to enhance the taste.
* Garnish it with some watermelon pieces, and the Mojito is ready.
* Relish the cool and tasty refresher.
Stay tuned to Hyderabadi Ruchulu column for more recipes.