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Elevate Your Summer Cocktails with a Unique Twist on the Cuban Classic, Mojito
- Stephanie Blanc
- Jul 25
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 29
 Hey guys! Bienvenido a mi latest blog mini-series, titled "Miami Vices," where I take you on a sweet, savory, y picante, journey conmigo, to Miami through my eyes & showcase some mouthwatering, cocktails, & dishes inspired by my vacay trip!
So, we're going to keep things moving right along with showcasing some fun delicious Miami inspired drinks. And, if you haven't had a chance to check out my previous blog posts-Miami Vice,Piña Colada, & Fried Sweet Plantains, make sure you do, because it depicts a nice overall narrative of Miami and it's integrated cultures.Â
Now we've already touched upon how the population of Cuban immigrants is very prevalent in Miami. Therefore it would only make sense that a lot of the Miami restaurants, foods, & cocktails are heavily influenced by Cuban culture. I mean there is a whole neighborhood called Little Havana & so it doesn't get any more Cuban than that!
On one of my past trips, I did go on a Little Havana tour in hopes to gain a deeper perspective of Cuba, it's affiliation w/Miami, & how its history & culture permeate throughout the city of Miami, and more specifically, throughout the neighborhood referred to as Little Havana.
And during that tour, our guide narrated what is thought to be the origins & significance of a cocktail known as the Mojito. Now this was great because one of my favorite drink is the Piña Colada, and I was able to learn about that drink in a Mixology class that I took while vacationing in Puerto Rico, which is where that drink originated from; And so, with the mojito, being the second runner up to my favorite drink, it was great to hear the story of how that came to be, as well. Ironically though, the exact origins of the mojito are a bit unclear, however one thing holds true to each of the legends and that is, it coming from Cuba. One prominent legend is that it was used in healing tropical illnesses with its ingredients; Lime,  sugarcane, & mint. Lime juice alone helped to combat diseases, like scurvy and dysentery. When rum was eventually added the add’l ingredients helped to conceal its strong taste.
On one of my recent trips to Orlando my aunt had introduced me to a delicious watermelon drink she made by juicing a whole watermelon. Shout out to Tatie Zette! It was so good I opted to incorporate it with this mojito, however if you want the classic mojito just nix the watermelon and replace it with more of the lime juice.
"Watermelon Mojito"
Ingredients
-4 Fresh Mint Leaves
-1 Small watermelon to create 3 oz Watermelon Purée
-3/4 oz Lime Juice, Freshly Squeezed -1 oz Fresh Lime Juice -3/4 oz Simple Syrup -4 oz Club Soda
-2 oz Rum, white
-1 Cup Ice
Garnish
-Mint Leaves
-Watermelon Wedge (optional)
Directions
Step 1Â - Start by cutting your lime into eight wedges. Squeeze 4 smal lime wedges into a tall glass, then drop the wedges into the glass.
Step 2Â - Â Squeeze 4 lime wedges into the tall glass.
Step 3Â - Add your sugar cubes, club soda, and watermelon.
Step 4Â - Using your muddler, muddle the ingredients, pressing & twisting the ingredients together.
Step 5Â - Â Then add rum, ice, & more club soda.
Step 6Â - Add 2 ounces of rum, then fill the glass with ice, and top off the drink with club soda.
Step 7Â - Mix everything together. Using your bar spoon, mix the drink vigorously to combine all the ingredients.
Well guys I hope you learned something new & that it catapults you to try making the drink for yourself & your guests for your next gathering. Cheers!
And ....
