The first few beautiful, hot, sunny days of the year just make you feel so good. There are nothing like rays of sunshine to warm the cockles of a sad, rugby-deprived heart. Who can help but be in good spirits when the sky is blue and the air is warm? The kiwi summer sounds are aplenty. Birds singing, neighbours mowing their lawns and children playing next door.
We have decided to turn our backyard into the ultimate summer destination. We have the barbecue area, complete with funky seats made by us from logs and stumps, a picnic table, blow-up pool, brazier, double hammock and soon a table-tennis table. We also, thanks to Hannah, the garden fairy flattie; have a pretty awesome edible garden. All we need now is home-made mojitos from the epic mint-patch. Oh yeah. It's going to be a good summer ;)
Mojito Recipe
According to David Cordoba's Arte de Cocteles, the mojito apparently has it's origins in the 16th Century as a drink enjoyed onboard private ships. The lime juice was good for keeping scurvy at bay and the mint for aiding digestion - and of course being a ship in those days, I'm sure rum was never in short supply! This is my version of what is surely today the quintessential summer drink. It is cheating a little bit and using lemonade instead of soda water and sugar but it is easier and just as delicious :)- Take a generous sprig of fresh mint (about 6 or 8 leaves) and a sliced up lime and muddle together in the bottom of a highball glass. This should release the mint oils and lime juice.
- Fill the glass with ice and then pour a shot and a half of white rum (Bacardi usually works best) over the top.
- Top up the rest of the glass with lemonade and garnish with a slice of lime and more mint if desired.
