The mojito was invented in Havana by the English pirate Sir Francis Drake, following an unsuccessful invasion in the 1500s. As the story goes, his crew were suffering from scurvy and dysentery. The local Cubans had medicine and the pirate and his men went out and collected aguardiente (a generic name for alcohol), mint leaves, lime and sugar cane juice. This mixture was turned into an elixir like drink.
Shortly after, a cocktail known as "El Draque" made with similar ingredients, became popular in Cuba.
To prepare a mojito, fresh lime juice is added to sugar and mint leaves. The mixture is then gently mashed with a muddler. The mint leaves should only be bruised to release the essential oils, but not shredded. Then rum is added and the mixture is stirred to dissolve the sugar and to lift the mint leaves up from the bottom. This creates a better presentation. Finally, the drink is topped with crushed ice and sparkling soda water. Mint leaves and lime wedges are used to garnish the glass.
This cookbook contains many different varieties of traditional and non-traditional recipes for the mojito.
