Friday, July 03, 2015

Cocktail o'the Summer: Blackberry Basil Mojito

Blackberry Basil Mojito
Happy Fourth of July Weekend!

My man-friend and I have been enjoying (ha!) a long distance relationship for a very long time now. le sigh.  However, one nice thing about my wacky job is that I occasionally have long-ish periods of time between gigs, and I am able to spend much of that time with him.

Do not read this as "free time."
Read this as "hours and hours of angst and worry about future shows interspersed with smaller hours of actual, really productive work."

Anyway...
One thing I like to do to make our time together a little more special, a little more memorable, is make a "signature cocktail" for the duration.  Then we have a unique taste memory for that particular visit.  One winter it was Cinnamon-spiced Old Fashioneds. Last summer it was Basil-Cucumber Gin & Tonic.   And this year, we may have hit the mother lode:  Blackberry-Basil Mojitos.   

Enough talk!  Here is the recipe...incredibly precise and scientific, as always. Enjoy!

Summer 2015 Blackberry-Basil Mojito

Ingredients: 

  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup sugar
  • loose handful of basil  (approx)
  • 1/2 cup of blackberries (approx)
  • Limes   (approx 2 per drink?)
  • Golden Rum
  • Mineral Water


Step 1:  The Syrup 
 (This needs to be done in advance! You will have enough syrup to enjoy several rounds.)

  • Boil 2 cups of water in a medium pot. 
  • Add 1 cups of granulated sugar.   Return to boil, let that simmer a bit. 
  • When you get tired of watching it boil, add a bunch of basil, stems and all.  No need to chop it, really, unless you feel like doing some chopping.  
  • Simmer for a bit.  Enjoy the amazing aroma. 
  • After a few minutes, strain the basil from the syrup.  Return the syrup to the pot. 
  • Toss in about 1/2 cup of blackberries, fresh or frozen.  Or more, if you like. 
  • Simmer for a bit.  I usually let this go until the blackberries turn from black to a lighter magenta. 
  • Remove from heat.  Pour the gorgeous pink syrup into a large measuring cup for easy serving.  Let it cool.    

Step 2: Squeeze a bunch of limes, reserving the juice and some pulp too if you can catch it. 

Step 3: Assemble the drink!

In a small carafe, pour:

  • 1 part lime juice
  • 1 part pink simple syrup
  • 2 parts rum 

In your rocks glass:

  • Fill to the top with ice cubes. 
  • Pour 2/3 full with rum drink. 
  • Top off with Sparkling Mineral Water (we like Topo Chico).
  • Garnish with some of the marinated blackberries and slice of lime. 

Cheers!


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