One of my favorite drinks, the mojito, is so very simple to make and yet I always have a hard time finding a good one at restaurants and bars. Usually consisting of just five ingredients, the beauty and difficulty of the mojito really lies in this simplicity. There is no room for error and each ingredient really must be carefully balanced against the other ingredients. The interplay between the sour of the lime, the oils of the mint, the sweet of the simple syrup, and the spices from the rum needs to be just right. So often, it is too sour, not minty enough, too sweet, or not strong enough.

The other wonderful thing about the mojito is that it is also endlessly customizable. This little version involves the addition of chamomile flowers. Every year when the weather gets warm, I look forward to these delicate little blooms coming into the market. I use as much as I can fresh and then I hang them up to dry for later use.  I can then leisurely use them in tea, iced and hot, or make my pear and chamomile preserve. Usually I love the clean and refreshing classic mojito over the fruitier versions that are always found on menus nowadays. But the chamomile is just a subtle little addition that will have the drinker guessing what that special little something is, while also allowing the classic mojito flavors to shine through. This really is the perfect drink for summer time gatherings or a simple porch swing refreshment with the person you love most.

C H A M O M I L E  M O J I T O
makes 1 drink

for the chamomile syrup
4 tablespoon dried chamomile
1/2 cup raw sugar

for the mojito
1 teaspoon dried chamomile
10 mint leaves
1/2 lime, quartered
2 oz white rum
1 oz chamomile syrup
soda water to top

^^^^^^
make the chamomile syrup
Over a medium high heat, bring 1/2 cup of water and the sugar to a boil. Once the sugar has melted, add the chamomile flowers. Turn the stove down to medium and allow to gently boil for a minute. Turn off the flame and steep with a lid on for at least 2 hours, until completely cooled.

make the mojito
In a glass, muddle the chamomile and mint with a small pinch of sugar. No need to be gentle here. Juice the quartered limes and add them to the glass also. Muddle to press out the beautiful scent from the lime skin. Add ice, the rum, and chamomile syrup. Top with soda water and mix well with a spoon.

Follow me on Instagram