the call of the beach – and a mojito
The beautiful blue waters and the white sand beaches of the Gulf of Mexico are calling my name. The call has gotten louder every day this week, and today that’s all I’m hearing.
Every summer we travel to the coastline of the Florida panhandle for a week of family vacation with the kids. This all started when our daughter was around 8 months old and my husband and I were desperate for a real vacation, somewhere we could take a baby and still relax and have fun in between diaper changes. We found exactly what we were looking for in the beaches along county road 30A in South Walton County. We spent that first summer in a rental cottage in Seaside and it was heaven. Every year since, with the exception of once, we spend a summer week either at Seaside or Rosemary Beach.
Next week is that week.
So, when posting is scarce next week, you’ll know it’s because my freshly-painted red toes are buried deep in the sugary white sand, far away from my laptop. I may even have a mojito. In fact, I’d say the mojito forcast is looking pretty darn good.
There may be some other cocktails showing up on our beach vacation menu. Here are some that have piqued my interest:
- Pimm’s cup from Tracy of shutterbean.
- The Porch Swing from Deb of smittenkitchen.
- Elderflower & Lemon Sparkling Sipper from Faith Durand of thekitchn.
- This gorgeous Starfruit Sangria from Maggie Hoffman at Serious Eats.
Mojito
Ingredients:
Mint Simple Syrup:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
5 sprigs fresh mint
Mojito:
12 mint leaves, plus a sprig of mint for garnish
Juice of 1/2 lime
1 1/2 ounces mint simple syrup
2 ounces light rum
4 ounces of sparkling water
Directions:
Make simple syrup: In a small saucepan, bring sugar, water, and mint just to a boil, stirring until sugar is fully dissolved. Remove from heat, strain out and discard the mint, and let cool.
In a tall cocktail glass, place mint leaves and lime juice. Crush gently with a muddler or the back of a spoon. Add mint simple syrup. Fill tall glass with ice, add rum, and top with the sparkling water. Garnish with a sprig of mint. Sip slowly and relax.
You will DEF have a mojito or two. 😉
Yum! The mojito is my drink of choice. Have one (or two!) for me. Hope you have a marvelous vacation!
I love the reflection at the bottom of the mojito glass.
Oh I do love me some mojitos. In fact, I have a big bag of mint in the fridge and a big bottle of gin in the cupboard. I think I will have some tonight. TGIF!
Now you have a relaxing and disconnected time, will ya. You deserve it!
Mojito’s are one of my favorite drinks! I use agave syrup in place of the simple syrup so it makes it easy and fast.
All this talk of beautiful gulf breaches has me itching to go back to florida! I can’t imagine a better drink to sip on the beach than this mojito. Delicious. And enjoy your mojito-in-hand vacation!
Mojito is my favourite drink! I love the fresh mint, tangy lemon with sweet sugar syrup!! sooo GOOD! I actually always get drunk when I have mojoto!! lol…