Mojito cocktails are very refreshing any time of year but especially when the temperatures rise because their minty, yet tart flavor adds a cooling effect with the kick of the alcohol.

Ingredients:

  • 8 mint leaves, fresh

  • 1 tablespoon honey

  • 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) lime juice (or lime wedges from about a third of a lime)

  • 1 jigger (1.5 ounces) 80-proof white rum

  • Club soda

  • Garnish: fresh mint sprig

Steps:

  1. Put mint, a splash of club soda, and the honey into the bottom of a highball glass or Tom Collins glass (if you like lots of ice and club soda). Muddle by mashing the ingredients together. Traditionally, a muddler, which looks like a miniature wooden baseball bat, is used, but the handle of a wooden spoon or spatula works fine.

  2. Squeeze the juice of the lime into the glass. Add the rum, stirring well.

  3. Fill the glass about three-quarters of the way full with ice. Top off with club soda. Stir and enjoy.