USING NECTARS

Fruit-flavored nectars are an easy and fool-proof way to concoct flavored mojitos.   Fruit nectar is similar to fruit juice, but usually has added sugar to make it shelf stable.   Nectar is manufactured by various companies in countless flavors.   Nectar is ideal for simple mojito-making because virtually any flavor can be mixed with guarapo or used on its own.   The high sugar content of fruit nectar makes it unnecessary to add simple syrup or sugar to the mojito.    Nectar is available in many tropical flavors many of which go great in mojitos, including mango, pineapple, banana, guava, and papaya.   Pear and strawberry also make very tasty mojitos.

To make a nectar-flavored mojito, follow the recipe for the original mojito, but replace half the guarapo with fruit nectar.

Party Pointer: Buy a variety of nectars and place them in decorative carafes so guests can choose their mojito flavor.

USING FLAVORED SIMPLE SYRUPS

The flavoring of simple syrups is limited only by your imagination.   Although a variety of manufactured syrups are available in the marketplace, the flavors often taste synthetic.   Make simple syrups at home using natural ingredients.     

To make citrus-flavored syrups, start with the basic simple syrup recipe.   Add 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water to a sauce pot.  Add peel from 2 oranges or from 3 lemons or 3 limes.   Bring to a boil.   Reduce heat and allow it to simmer on very low heat for about 10 minutes.  Remove from heat and let cool in pan for about one hour.   Strain and discard the peel.   Transfer to a squeeze bottle or other airtight container.   Store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Here are some more ideas for flavored simple syrups.   Follow the same directions as above.

Ginger – 3-4 tablespoons of peeled and thinly sliced fresh ginger.

Spiced – Use various aromatic spices when making syrups. Try 2 sticks of cinnamon, 6 cloves, and 2 star anise or any combination thereof.  

Vanilla – Use half of one vanilla bean, split with (beans) scraped into syrup.

Fruit – Follow simple syrup recipe.   Add 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water to a sauce pot and bring to a boil for for 2-3 minutes until sugar dissolves.  Remove from heat and add one cup of diced fruit (1/4” to 1/2” dice), such as pineapple, mango, or watermelon.   Let cool to room temperature in the pot and then and transfer to a tightly-sealed container, and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.   Do not strain! Use both the syrup and fruit to make flavored mojitos.  

To prepare a mojito with the flavored simple syrup, follow the Miami Mojito recipe and substitute the flavored simple syrup for the plain syrup.

Tart and sweet, this cocktail is great for fall months.   The contrast of lime and raspberries is perfectly balanced by the tart apple juice.

4 fresh whole raspberries, washed

½ lime, cut into 4 pieces

5-6 fresh mint leaves

1 teaspoon granulated white sugar

Crushed ice

2 ounces white rum

3 ounces apple juice

2 ounces club soda

In a cocktail shaker, muddle raspberries and strain into a mojito glass.   Add lime pieces, mint leaves, and sugar to the glass and gently muddle.   Add rum and apple juice. Fill the glass to the top with crushed ice. Top with club soda.  Stir well. Serve with a sugar cane stick and straw.

Pomegranate juice is added to this mojito just before serving and after it has been muddled and shaken.   The ruby red juice is suspended briefly giving the drink a volcanic lava-like appearance.

½ lime, quartered

5 mint leaves

2 ounces mango nectar (or 2 ounces diced mango, cut into ½” to 1” cubes)

Ice cubes

2 ounces light rum

1 ounce simple syrup

2 ounces pomegranate juice

2 ounces club soda

This recipe illustrates that simple fresh ingredients is all that it takes to create a great cocktail.    

4 ounces fresh watermelon, seeds removed, and cut into small cubes

3/4 lime, cut into 3 pieces

5-6 fresh mint leaves
1 teaspoon sugar

1 ounce simple syrup
Ice cubes
2 ounces light rum

3 ounces club soda

Muddle watermelon, lime, mint, and sugar in the bottom of glass. Add rum and simple syrup.   Fill the glass to the top with ice cubes.   Top with club soda.   Cover the glass with a cocktail tin or transfer to a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for 2-3 seconds. Serve with straw. Garnish with melon wedge and sugar cane stick.