Keep your cool, man!

Here we are in the heat of summer. Most of my time has been spent outside covered in SPF 45. It’s hot, y’all, but spending your summer inside is for the birds.

Well, you know what I'm saying.

No matter the temperature, there’s no need to spend your time indoors. We’ve got an entire winter to do that.

I’ve made you just the thing to keep you cool this summer. It’s icy, fruity, fresh, a little bit sweet and so refreshing.

Mojito’s! These are made with fresh raspberries and garden mint. If you don't have mint in your garden you can pick it up at your local grocery store or at the farmers' market.

This recipe is super easy.

Mmmm. Fresh garden mint.

If sharing with a crowd, I would suggest making a pitcher of it the morning of your summer party or picnic. I want you to spend more of your time in the pool, lake, back porch, or wherever you are, and less time in the kitchen.


Give it a shot. 

This recipe makes two servings. Feel free to double or triple it as you please. It’s one of those recipes that you can add a little more of this or a little less of that. Taste as you go until you’ve got it just right.

Juice, juice, juice your lime.

Pour the lime juice and simple syrup into your glasses.

Add your mint leaves.

Muddle! (See definition below if you've never muddled.) I used an ice cream scoop. Use whatever tool works best for you.

Add the raspberries.

Muddle some more. 

Add crushed ice, rum, top with cranberry juice and stir.

Garnish.

Looking good.

Clink your glass with someone and say "Cheers!"

Ingredients:

1 lime

4 tsp. simple syrup 

6-8 raspberries

8 mint leaves (from your garden if you’ve got ‘em)

crushed ice

4 oz. raspberry rum

cranberry juice

mint sprigs and a few extra raspberries for garnish

Directions:

To make your simple syrup, simply boil one cup of water with one cup of sugar for about 2 minutes. Allow to cool.

In a highball glass, muddle the lime, simple syrup, and mint leaves.  Add the raspberries and muddle some more. Fill the glass with crushed ice, add the raspberry rum, stir well and top with cranberry juice, and garnish with a mint sprig.

Side note: Muddling, if you didn't already know, is just crushing the mint and raspberries to squish out the juices and flavors.

Cheers!

Christi