Ditch the margaritas, and enjoy a refreshing Coconut Mojito for your Cinco de Mayo ... or any day ... sipping. Such a delicious combination of fresh mint, lime, & coconut!
It's early April, but my thoughts are already turning to Cinco de Mayo and all the warm-weather summer days that follow soon after. Aside from gin & tonics {especially cucumber gin & tonic}, one of my favorite warm-weather sippers is a tall, refreshing mojito.
A delicious traditional Cuban cocktail, mojitos are a simple mix of just five basic ingredients ~ mint, fresh lime juice, sugar, white rum, and club soda.
A delicious traditional Cuban cocktail, mojitos are a simple mix of just five basic ingredients.
Perhaps it's the simplicity of the drink that makes me love it so much! Or perhaps it's the totally refreshing combination of fresh mint and lime juice. But whatever it is, love them I do.
And guess what? Basic mojitos aren't just fabulous themselves ... they also provide a marvelous canvas for adding in other flavors, too. Like a Watermelon Mojito. Or like with this totally amazing Coconut Mojito.
To mix up a Coconut Mojito, all you do is follow the basic mojito preparation ... but add in a touch of cream of coconut. You know, this stuff ...
... the stuff found in the drink mixers section of the grocery store, not coconut milk.
Sometimes cream of coconut can be found in the squeeze bottle I've pictured above, and sometimes it's found in a can. Either way, just be sure you grab one that's cream of coconut ... like what's used to make pina coladas ... not regular coconut milk.
I love how easy it is to mix up a mojito! A plain mojito, a Watermelon Mojito, or a Coconut Mojito! Here's all you do ...
Muddling releases the oils from the mint leaves into the glass, making for one super refreshing cocktail.
For a Coconut Mojito, place fresh mint leaves, a teaspoon or two of granulated sugar, the juice of one lime, and an ounce of cream of coconut into a tall, sturdy highball glass.
With the back of a spoon or a cocktail muddler {but seriously, how many of us own a muddler??}, press and gently twist the mint leaves against the side of the glass ... this is what's called 'muddling.'
Muddling releases the oils from the mint leaves into the glass, and hence the drink, making for one super refreshing cocktail! Muddle the mint until it's bruised and fragrant, but not torn to shreds. Tearing the mint too much can create a bitter tasting drink.
Once the muddling's done, add in an ounce {or a heavy ounce, if you'd like a stiffer drink} of light rum ...
... Then top the glass off with ice and club soda ... garnish with lime wedges, mint, and a sprinkling of sweetened coconut if you'd like ...
And that's it!
With just those few simple steps, we can all be enjoying a totally delicious, completely refreshing, fabulously thirst-quenching Coconut Mojito.
And hmmmmm ... I don't know about you ... but I'm not so sure I'm going to wait until Cinco de Mayo or warmer weather to enjoy one.
Coconut Mojito
(Printable recipe)
Ingredients
8 fresh mint leaves
1 lime, juiced
1 to 2 tsp. granulated sugar
1 oz. cream of coconut*
3 oz. light rum
club soda or sparkling water
lime wedges, mint, and sweetened flaked coconut for garnish, if desired
Directions
1.Place mint leaves, granulated sugar (I find the coconut mojito plenty sweet enough with just 1 teaspoon sugar), lime juice, and cream of coconut in a tall sturdy highball glass. For better dissolving, use superfine sugar if you'd like. With a cocktail muddler or the back of a sturdy spoon, press and gently twist the mint leaves against the side of the glass. Stop muddling when the mint is bruised and fragrant, but not yet torn, as tearing the mint too much can create a bitter taste.
2.Add 3 ounces white rum. Fill the glass 3/4 full with ice cubes or crushed ice. Fill the remainder of the glass with sparkling water or club soda. Stir thoroughly.
3.Garnish with lime wedges, mint, and a sprinkling of coconut if desired, serve, and enjoy!
* The stuff you find in the drink mixers section of the grocery store, not coconut milk.
Enjoy!
source : http://www.thekitchenismyplayground.com/2016/04/coconut-mojito.html
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