Traditionally Mojitos are made with lemon juice, lime juice and club soda. I came up with this recipe when I was out of club soda and lemons. I like this better.

1 jigger light rum
1 jigger bottled Nellie & Joe's Key Lime juice (Key lime juice has a lemon/lime flavor)
Mint leaves, about 20, muddled
lemon lime soda, like 7-Up or Sierra Mist
½ teaspoon sugar or some Splenda to taste
¼ of a fresh lime.
Ice

Put the mint leaves, sugar, rum, Key lime juice and ice in a tall glass. Fill with 7 UP. Squeeze and drop in the fresh lime. The traditional recipe says to muddle the lime leaves in the bottom of the glass but since I don't have a “muddler”.

I put the dry leaves on a cutting board with the sugar and mash and scrape it all together with the side of a large knife. When you are out there picking the mint leaves you might as well get enough for the second drink because you will want it.

You can use mint extract instead of the fresh mint but it takes less than a drop per drink. Just dip a metal skewer in the bottle and then stir your drink with it.

Submitted by: Joy