The Tossed Salad

There are many, interesting stories behind the origin of the word ‘cocktail’. Some say that it comes from the times that fighting cocks used to be given a mixture of spirits called cock’s ale. In Mexico, local bartenders were known to use wooden spoons made from a native root called cola de-gallo translated to cock’s tail. Ever since cocktail is the term used for mixed drinks that combine liquors, bitters, fruit juice, soda, ice, milk, honey, creams and herbs.

One of the most famous cocktails is the Mojito (pronounced mo- hi- to), which hails from Cuba.  It belongs to the family of highballs which refer to those drinks with an alcoholic base and a larger proportion of a non alcoholic mixer. It is usually served in a tall glass with lots of ice.

A very interesting story about the origin of this drink , though one of many, is that the African slaves working in the sugarcane fields of Cuba came up with this drink by using the sugarcane syrup they had access to and it was very popular among them. Its’ fresh citrus flavor makes it an immensely famous summer drink for people on any coast.

Ingredients:

1. 40 ml White Rum
2. 30 ml Lemon juice
3. 3 sprigs of mint (originally hierba Buena – a Cuban spearmint)
4. 2 teaspoons of sugar
5. Soda Water

To prepare the Mojito,  mash up the lime juice, mint leaves and sugar (or sugar syrup) using a muddler. The mint leaves should be battered enough to release the mint flavor, but not completely shredded into bits. After this, the rum is mixed in with the mash up and the sugar is dissolved. Finally soda water is added with lots of ice. A slice of lime and mint leaves are used to garnish the glass and voila, you have yourself a fantastic, cooling cocktail!

Alisha Fernandes

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[image courtesy: http://bit.ly/7mi21G]

Author: Alisha Fernandes
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