Summer Soiree
Sometimes there is nothing better than to watch a talented bartender craft the perfect mojito, gently crushing the mint to release the right amount of flavor. If you’re lucky, a mortar & pestle is involved, making you feel you’re handed a beneficial elixir from an apothecary of yore. In Biblical references, an apothecary referred to the holy oils and ointments prepared by priests properly qualified for this office.
There’s also nothing better than serving the perfectly mixed mojito, with no elbow-grease involved. When you’re hosting your next summer soiree, consider anointing your guests with the City Farm’s lovely Island Mojito Mix. Just add your favorite white rum.
According to Wikipedia, Cuba is one of the theorized origins of the mojito. “One story traces the mojito to a similar 19th century drink known as “El Draque,” after Francis Drake. In 1586, after his successful raid at Cartagena de Indias, Drake’s ships sailed towards Havana but there was an epidemic of dysentery and scurvy on board. It was known that the local South American Indians had remedies for various tropical illnesses; so a small boarding party went ashore on Cuba and came back with ingredients for a medicine which was effective. The ingredients were aguardiente de caña (a crude form of rum, translates as fire water from sugar cane) added with local tropical ingredients; lime, sugarcane juice and mint. Drinking lime juice in itself would have been a great help in staving off scurvy and dysentery.”
Probably best to avoid discussion of scurvy at your summer soiree, but “fire water” is sure to create some great post-party stories, and it wouldn’t hurt to add a little Cuban flair to the party. Check out Saveur’s Cuban recipes for your next mojito party.
Bonus: Your City Farm Island Mojito Mix (and any others you order – there’s a delicious Strawberry Blush Margarita Mix, a Melon Mist Daiquiri Mix, and more!) come beautifully packaged, so you can also give them as gifts.
Cheers to backyard summer soirees!
(Mojito photo credit: Martie Knows Parties)
