Demerara Mojito

This is my take on the classic mojito. Amber rum with a little fresh lime juice, mint and demerara simple syrup, topped with soda. Delicious!

Demerara sugar is a raw sugar extracted from sugarcane and has flavors of molasses and caramel. It works well with sweet coolness of mint.

Demerara Mint Simple Syrup:

• 1 cup demerara sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 large handful mint leaves

Add sugar and water to medium saucepan, stir and bring to a boil. When sugar has dissolved completely, turn off heat, stir in mint leaves and infuse for 30 minutes. Remove mint and strain syrup into glass jars when fully cooled. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Demerara Mojito:

• 2 oz amber rum ( i.e. Mount Gay or Flor de Cana – don’t use dark or spiced rum for this recipe!)
• juice of 1/2 a lime
• 1/2 -3/4 oz demerara mint simple syrup
• ice
• club soda
• garnish with lime and mint

Add first 4 ingredients to a tall glass. Top with soda, stir and garnish with lime and mint leaves.