Drinks

The Old Man and his Mojito.

Chris De La Rosa

Storyteller · Award-Winning Author · TV Personality & Caribbean Culinary Curator.

April 22, 2009

4 comments

It must have been about 8 years ago, we were doing a walking tour of Havana (still remember all the people trying to sell us Cohiba cigars) when our guide, full of excitement said…” I’m about to take you for a drink in a very special place”. Turns out it was the old watering hole of none other than Ernest Hemingway. I don’t recall the name of the place, after-all we had just done doing a tour of a rum factory and I did give every beverage they make a special test. I do remember being asked to fork out $4 for a drink that looked like leaves in a glass. Turns out it was a Mojito and those leaves were the essence of the drink..mint!

A Cuban Classic, the Mojito!

You’ll need…

1 1/2 oz Light Rum
3 tbsp (fresh) lime Juice
2 tsp Sugar
3 (Sprig) Mint
Club Soda

Directions
In a tall thin glass, crush part of the mint with a fork to coat the inside. Add the sugar and lemon juice and stir thoroughly. Top with ice. Add rum and mix. Top off with *chilled* club soda (or seltzer). Add a lime slice and the remaining mint, and serve.

After some digging I found the name of the joint, it’s called La Bodeguita del Medi.

This pic was taken during our tour of Havana.. a very historic (Like much of old Havana) cathedral.  The Catedral de San Cristóbal de La Havana (Cathedral of Saint Christopher of Havana)