Thirsty Thursdays with Drinks.ng: DIY Strawberry Mojitos
FOLLY: When I was in college, Thirsty Thursday was a thing along with Electric Tuesday. There was also dance night on Wednesdays but I didn't really get into that. The best bar specials were on Thursday though, $1 beers and $2 rails (cocktails made with bottom shelf liquor).
NOSA: The bottom-est of shelf. Like, Taaka level bottom.
FOLLY: Well thank God, I have this blog now cause I'm about to make Thirsty Thursday a thing in Lagos.
NOSA: We work on Friday. It can't click.
FOLLY: The difference here is that instead of going out to get said cocktail, you go home and make it yourself because:
- Economy is tough and you need something to drown your sorrows
- Bars in Lagos charge too much for drinks.
- Mojitos are my all time favourite cocktail and should be yours too.
HOW TO MAKE
INGREDIENTS
- 3-4 fresh mint leaves
- 1 ounce strawberry syrup
- 2 fresh strawberries
- 1 teaspoon of granulated cane sugar
- Crushed ice
- Half Lime
- 2 oz rum/3-4 oz soda water
- 1 ounce lime/lemon juice
METHOD I (STIRRING METHOD)
- In a high ball glass, muddle mint leaves, strawberry and lime. This is to release the flavours of the mint, strawberry and lime.
- Add the lime/lemon juice, the strawberry syrup and sugar.
- Fill ¾ of the glass with ice, and stir well using the bar spoon.
- Top with soda/rum.
- Garnish with mint leaves and fresh strawberry.
METHOD II (SHAKING METHOD)
- Wash and cut strawberries and lime into chunks. Remember to seed the lime, because the seeds make the Mojito bitter.
- Wash mint leaves and place in a shaker with the strawberry and lime chunks.
- Muddle the mint, strawberry and lime with a muddler, or the back of a spoon. (The essence of muddling is to extract the oils and flavours of these ingredients, which is responsible for Mojito’s exquisite taste).
- Add the sugar.
- Now pour the crushed ice directly on the muddled ingredients and pour the rum on top of the ice. You’ll notice the liquid float on the ice.
- Cover the shaker tightly and shake well, till all the ingredients mix properly.
- Top with soda, and strain into the glass.
- Garnish with strawberry (with its root) or lime wedges.
