It is ALMOST summer time and you know what that means! Kids are at home all day and you will soon be enjoying some sunshine poolside. Whether you bring a book to read or plan to catch up on trashy reality show drama this cocktail is an essential poolside drink on these sunny days.
This chocolate mojito is the ideal drink to carry out to the pool while you enjoy some rays. If you have a picture-perfect fantasy of soaking up the sun with a chilled cocktail in hand, try this one on for size and see how dreams really do come true.
Classic Drink With a Twist
Of course, we all know of the tried and true mojito that everyone loves (if you don't I'll tell you what it is below), but this drink steps it up a few notches with a little added chocolate kick.
This recipe uses clear crème de cacao to trick your taste buds and take you on a mint chocolatey adventure. I know, I know, that's lame, but it is a really good drink.
Classic cocktails are classic for a reason. You don't have to go over the top with a lot of ingredients and strong flavors. You don't need gimmicks or dramatic flourishes. Mojitos are a simple drink done right. That's what I love about them.
I also love that this little enhancement is true to the nature of mojitos and it's a simple way to embellish this particular cocktail.
What's in a Mojito?
Before we go all Augustus Gloop and dive right into that chocolatey goodness. Let's look at what we're working with and what makes a chocolate mojito really work.
Chocolate may not be the first thing you'd think to add to a mojito, but if you are a fan of Thin Mints, this is the perfect cocktail for you. Plus, chocolate is a really neat twist on more common ingredients that may be more citrus or berry-based.
Mojitos are about as tropical as a cocktail can get, from the rum to the lime, this Cuban favorite is a crisp and clean alternative to ultra-sweet and fruity drinks.
There are few ingredients including club soda, fresh mint, sugar, plus the aforementioned rum and lime. That's it and there's hardly anything you need to do to enhance it, even to add that silky sweet chocolate flavor, compliments of a 2:3 ratio of creme de cacao to silver rum.
Using a Boston Shaker
One of the joys of mixing your own cocktails is shaking them up like a pro. I don't look at it as a lot of work. It's just a couple of simple actions and I love the sense of pride I get when I pour what I consider to be the perfect cocktail.
You don't have to have a ton of bar tools at your disposal to make a good drink. However, if you plan to spend a lot of time at the pool this summer, it wouldn't hurt to stock up on supplies. This stylish and affordable bartender kit is just perfect for making exceptional cocktails like this one.
You don't have to use a Boston shaker, but it does make mixing easy. It's essentially a pint glass and a larger 28 oz glass, which you may be able to duplicate at home without buying yourself a fancy shaker.
You can start the cocktail by muddling the mint in the pint-size part of the shaker then add other ingredients. Pour ice into the large portion and shake it all together.
You don't have to strain anything, just pour the whole frothy iced chocolate mojito into your favorite glass. I like a tall collins or a stout rocks glass for this drink.
How to Muddle the Mint
Okay, let's run that back. If you don't typically mix your own drinks, or even if you do, you may have no idea how to muddle. Muddling is just another way of saying grind or mash.
Think of what you do with a mortar and pestle. You want to really beat up the mint. Bruising it makes the flavor come out.
So muddling the mint until it is very dark allows the mint to infuse better with the other ingredients as you shake them all together.
Muddling can be done with virtually any blunt instrument as long as it fits in the glass or shaker you use to do the crushing. I like to use a spoon but there are actual tools called muddlers that are intended just for this purpose.
You don't have to do this for very long in order to get the job done right. If you're a tough muddler you can grind it out in about 10-15 seconds.
The muddled mint will get shaken with the rest of the ingredients and it will go into the drink, but you will also need fresh un-muddled mint for a garnish. Especially if this pool day is going on the Gram.
When to Enjoy a Chocolate Mojito
When do you not enjoy the refreshing flavors of mint chocolate in an icy and crisp, bubbly cocktail. This is the perfect drink to make when you have company over because it's pretty low maintenance, but it looks pretty impressive with all the muddling and the shaking.
I enjoy this most on sunny afternoons, but on balmy summer nights, this drink is the best. If you are having this beverage with dinner, it's best served with dessert, but the chocolate mojito is not overly sweet.
You can enjoy it with other foods. I especially like it with Mexican or Cuban food. It pairs especially well with any entrée that includes mole.
I love making these whenever I have some downtime to relax, especially when it is hot outside. It's a good drink to have while snacking on light herbal treats like Caprese, or fruit salad.
I also like it with ice cream. Especially gastronomically adventurous flavors that include ingredients like balsamic vinegar, basil, or coriander.
How to Make a Chocolate Mojito
This recipe is super simple and only requires a few ingredients.
You start by adding crème de cacao, mint leaves, and lime juice into a cocktail shaker or large glass and muddle with a wooden muddle or the back of a spoon.
Add in the rum and fill shaker with ice. Cover and shake for about 30 seconds and pour over ice into a cocktail glass. Top with soda water and enjoy!
INGREDIENTS
- 1 ½ oz silver rum
- 1 oz creme de cacao "white" or undyed is best
- ¾ oz lime juice
- 8-10 mint leaves 2 sprigs, washed and dried
- 3 oz soda water
- Garnish: Mint sprig
INSTRUCTIONS
-
Combine crème de cacao, mint leaves, and lime juice in a cocktail shaker (pint glass or cheater tin portion if using a Boston shaker).
-
Muddle with a wooden muddler or back of a spoon for 15 seconds until mint is very bruised and dark.
-
Add rum, then fill shaker with ice. Cover, seal, and shake for 20-30 seconds.
-
Pour everything into a tall Collins glass or large rocks glass. Top with soda water.
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For best effect, lightly bruise the mint garnish by slapping it between your hands to release the aromatics.
Chocolate Mojito with Mint
Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz silver rum
- 1 oz crème de cacao “white” or undyed is best
- ¾ oz lime juice
- 8-10 mint leaves 2 sprigs washed and dried
- 3 oz soda water
- Garnish: Mint sprig
Instructions
- Slice limes and squeeze for juice.
- Combine crème de cacao, mint leaves, and lime juice in a cocktail shaker (pint glass or cheater tin portion if using a Boston shaker).
- Muddle with a wooden muddler or back of a spoon for 15 seconds until mint is very bruised and dark.
- Add rum, then fill shaker with ice. Cover, seal, and shake for 20-30 seconds.
- Pour everything into a tall Collins glass or large rocks glass. Top with soda water.
- Enjoy every sip!
Notes
Nutrition
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