In the warm summer months, I love to sit outside and relax on our back patio, my Nook in one hand and a refreshing drink in the other. I pop Sirius on, close my eyes, and pretend I am laying on the beach. 🙂
Of course, I have to open them again if I want to get any reading done, and my real view looks nothing like the beach ;-): 
I love summer cocktails, both in the traditional and non-alcoholic versions. One of my favorites is the mojito. We use a very basic mojito recipe: muddle 1/2 of a lime and approximately ten fresh mint leaves in a glass. Fill the glass with ice, then add about an ounce of simple syrup* and 2 ounces of white rum. Fill with club soda to taste (I usually use about 2 ounces).
*Simple Syrup: Add equal parts sugar and water to a sauce pan. Bring to a boil and simmer until thickened. Allow to cool before using. I put it in a plastic drink container, and keep it in the fridge for easy accessibility. 🙂
This is one drink that I just didn’t think would work without the rum, at least until last summer. I was texting with my mom, and she mentioned that my dad was having a real mojito, but she was having a “virgin mojoto“. Although the misspelling of mojito was unintentional, it worked–my mom’s nickname is Jo. 🙂
Since then, I have affectionately called a virgin mojito a mo-Jo-to. It is a refreshing summer treat that is easy to adapt. Simply omit the rum, cut the simple syrup in half, and double the club soda. Easy-peasy! Enjoy!
Do you have a favorite summer drink (alcoholic or non)? Personalized adaptations? I’d love to try some new recipes! 🙂
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Yum! That sounds good! I recently tried to make a mojito using store-bought lime juice and almost threw up. It tasted really weird! I’ll try yours instead. 😀
My parents actually gave me the recipe (both versions), and I absolutely love it. One of the most refreshing drinks out there for a hot summer day! 🙂
A well-made mojito is my favorite cocktail. Yum! I’ll have to try the Mo-Jo-To sometime. 🙂
It’s one of my favorites, too, second only to a good margarita! 🙂
There’s a restaurant near our house – La Casa del Mojito – that’s on a tiny triangular piece of land between Lake City Way (4-lane highway) and residential streets. Early in the evening, their little bitty bar has stacks of 12-ounce glasses partially filled with mint leaves, and over the course of the night they pour in rum and 7-Up and serve. The whole place probably seats 20 people, but it’s a whole lot of fun. The food – and the mojitos – are awesome!
Yummy!! Sounds awesome!!