The Perfect Mojito

I don't have the mental fortitude or emotional energy to explain in written form what is happening with the potential new baby, so instead you get...mojitos!

Mojitos have quickly become a favorite summer drink around here.  They TASTE like summer.  Here's what you'll need to make 2 mojitos.

Ingredients

20 mint leaves
10 blueberries (optional)
6 oz rum
6 T key lime juice (or regular lime juice, but key lime is tastier and milder)
4 T simple syrup
1/2 cup club soda

Instructions

• In a martini shaker, muddle the mint leaves.  If using blueberries, add them after you've muddled the mint and squish them up as well.
• Add rum, lime juice, simple syrup, and some ice.  Put a lid on your shaker and shake thoroughly.
• Pour, using a strainer, into 2 glasses filled with ice.  Top them off with about 1/4 cup club soda each.

If you want to skip the work of muddling, or don't have a martini shaker, instead of using fresh mint and plain simple syrup, you can make mint simple syrup instead.  It's really easy to make.  In a small pot, combine 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar.  Bring to a simmer and stir until all the sugar is well dissolved and the liquid reduces to the consistency of maple syrup.  Remove from the heat and stir in 1 unpacked cup of spearmint leaves.  Cover the pot and let steep for 15 minutes.  Then, strain out the leaves, and store the syrup in a jar in the fridge.