Sip of the Week--Guava Mojito

The days are longer and the sun's rays are warming up the city. I don't know about you, but for me, this is the time to search the town for the best Spring cocktails! (I'll be drinking a lot for the upcoming posts...stay tuned.)

After an afternoon of errand-running and gym-going, I patiently waited for Chris to finish up his work for the evening (though he might say "impatiently"), so we could get our happy-hour on. We headed to the Marina neighborhood, but as we walked down Chestnut Street, every bar seemed to be filled to the gills, especially the newest of them, the Tipsy Pig. Chris and I weren't really looking for a scene. We were just two kids looking for a decent watering hole. I suggested we try Mamacita's, as I started to get a mouth-watering craving for a margarita with a salty rim, but warned Chris that we might encounter the same crowded reception there. Instead, we were surprised to find plenty of room at the usually-packed bar, and pulled up a stool.

I'm not one to buy flavored alcohols, but I am willing to give a drink a try when it contains these fusion liquors. Such was the case at Mamacita's. I admit, my interest has waned in the average Mojito cocktail since the great Mojito Boom of 2003, but the sound of a Guava Mojito intrigued us enough to order one. I'm sure the drink can be made in a variety of ways, but Mamacita's makes hers with Cruzan Guava Rum as the main liquor. Muddle in some mint and lime juice and top it off with ice and club soda, and you've got yourself a refreshing Spring/Summer beverage. Salud!

Guava Mojito Recipe (Makes 1)*

3 oz Cruzan Guava Rum

3 sugar cubes

6 mint leaves

2 oz lime juice

2-3 oz club soda (optional)

Ice cubes

Place sugar cubes, mint leaves and lime juice in a rocks glass and begin muddling.** Once sugar cubes disolve, pour rum into a shaker with ice. Combine muddled mixture with rum and ice mixture and shake. Using a glass of your choice (rocks if you want less club soda, high ball for more), fill with ice and pour in shaken ingredients. Fill to the top with club soda and garnish with mint sprigs.

*Ingredients are the same as Mamacita's, but the recipe is not from the restaurant.

** Muddling requires a muddler or other wooden tool with a blunt end to crush and meld ingredients together.