Recipes From Last Night - Blueberry Mojito

I will be the first to call out my inner lush. I really enjoy a cold one with a steak, and a vodka-cranberry at the poker table. Sitting on a patio at sunset near some beach retreat makes me crave margaritas and when actually out in the desert nothing beats a chilled Patron Silver.

One of the sounds of summer I am most familiar with, is the crushing of ice and the pestle grind of mint leaves and sugar. A Mojito in South Florida is an afternoon patio drink, a refreshing spritzer to some tapas on the grill.

Since I left, I have watched these drinks spread through the states like Cosmo Martinis did after the Sex in the City series began. A brief little history on the Mojito reveals its roots to pirates, traders and Bacardi. Makes sense it landed on the sand and spread throughout the early farm settlers, later getting spruced up with ice and other elements to be refreshing and easily mixed for outdoor parties.

Nothing beats an original but lately top chefs have taken the popularity of this little swirl and added new flavors. Blueberry is by far my favorite. It takes the bite from the traditional and tones it down into sweet undertones, making it far too easy to go back for more and more. Do not let the claims of antioxidants and health benefits lure your guilt meter. If you like an adult beverage have one, this one is packed with sugar. liqueurs and some hard liquor. There is nothing about it that will improve your health, other than the huge smile on your face from its enjoyable taste.

• 2-3 Fresh Mint Leaves
• 1/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 1/2 ounces Acai Vodka
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
• Club Soda
• Crushed Ice
• Garnish - Mint Leaf

1- Place mint leaves a few blueberries and sugar into a small smooth pestle and grind until sugar dissolves.
2- Fill glass with liquor and lime juice. Stir Well.
3- Add crushed ice and club soda filling glass up. Garnish with some whole berries and mint. Serve immediately.

TIP - if you are making these to set out at a party and have guests make their own, the ingredients are easy to double, prep and set in tumblers. All guests then need to do is scoop in crushed ice from a bucket, add club soda garnish and drink. At large parties I have found this is the super easy alternate to having a bartender.