In the middle of Southern California urban sprawl, there is a small strawberry patch next to the Costco. After shopping for her mother's day gift, we were approached by a strawberry vendor hawking $5 cases of strawberries. Never to pass on a bargain, I couldn't resist and bought a case.
For cocktails at the barbecue, we made a puree a few days before and combined it with my favorite summer time drink, mojitos. Besides, I wanted an excuse to use fresh mint which is spectacular this time of year and I had plenty on hand from making the lotus root salad.
Traditionally in Cuba, sugar cane juice is used instead of sugar and because we live in Southern California, freshly squeezed sugarcane juice is widely available in Little Saigon. If you haven't been lucky enough to experience this nectar....you must--at least once in your life. Amazingly sweet and refreshing. If this isn't available, use sugar.
Strawberry Puree
- 1 qt fresh ripe strawberries
- 3 tbs Sugar
Strawberry Mojitos*
Printable Recipe
- 1 oz. fresh squeezed lime
- 1 tbs strawberry puree
- 2 oz. fresh sugarcane juice or 2 tsp sugar
- 5-10 mint leaves (save the tip of mint sprigs for garnish)
- 2 oz. white rum
- 1 oz. club soda
- crushed ice
*To serve a crowd, increase amounts of mint, lime, sugar, rum, and strawberry puree and add to a pitcher. Pour mixture into glasses before topping the individual drinks with crushed ice and club soda.
I can't wait to make these!!
ReplyDeleteThis looks so good! I'm not a mojito drinker but your pictures are so awesome that I may just have to make strawberry mojitos tonight.
ReplyDeleteAngie--let us know if you do!! Thanks for reading our new blog!
ReplyDeletelittlebearskitchen--Thanks for reading our spankin new blog! For the kids and non-alcohol drinkers, we just skip the rum. It's still delicious!
I had one of these babies at a chain restaurant (O'charleys), and it was so refreshing!! This seems to be exactly what I tasted! I cannot wait to make a pitcher (or two)!!!
ReplyDeleteallieamato: Let us know how it goes..thanks for visiting our blog!
ReplyDeleteOmg, Mojitos are my favorite! Good tip with the sugar can juice! But not sure if I can get my hands on sugar cane juice. Do they sell it in cans? Couple of weeks ago,I was thinking of doing a sugar syrup since the sugar never dissolves properly.
ReplyDeleteNina: So sorry for the late reply. If you don't have fresh sugarcane juice, I would avoid the canned ones since it just doesn't taste the same. We have a perfect solution for you: make a simple syrup. That's just boiling equal parts sugar and water. Let it simmer and reduce by half. Make a large amt and keep it in a squeeze bottle. It lasts months and use it to make lemonade or any other drink.
ReplyDelete