A berry twist on this traditional Cuban cocktail brings a fresh perspective and taste to this classic drink.

Wild Berry Mojito

Ingredients:

1-1/2 oz. Bacardi Light Rum
3-4 each of fresh blackberries, blueberries and red raspberries
8-12 fresh mint leaves
juice of one lime
1 oz. simple syrup
soda water
mint sprig for garnish

Directions:

In a 12-oz. highball glass, muddle mint, simple syrup, wild berries and lime juice.

Fill glass with crushed ice — it is very important to use crushed ice, not cubed — then add rum.

Stir well until the ice is reduced by 1/3, then top with more crushed ice, stirring until the glass begins to frost on the outside.

Spritz with soda water and stir one last time to incorporate.

Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint that has been dusted with powdered sugar and two long straws to avoid tickling your nose with the garnish.

Tips: To muddle the mint against the bottom of the glass, use just enough pressure with your muddler to release the oils from the mint without tearing it. The back surface of a wooden spoon will serve as a muddler stand-in if needed. Use a lime squeezer to fully extract the lime’s juice. To make simple syrup, dissolve an equal amount of granulated sugar in boiling water and then allow syrup to cool. Store in a clean bottle in a cool place.

Recipe courtesy of Tony Abou-Ganim, www.themodernmixologist.com

(Via Fine Living)