Just in time for summer: mojitos

Before Die Another Day, I had never heard of a mojito. Mint and lime? Two of my favorite flavors. At the very first sip, I was a mojito fan. In fact, I think it's probably my favorite cocktail. Unfortunately, most bars in Stockholm charge around 100 SEK ($15) for a mojito, so I don't order one very often.

Consqeuently, a constellation of collaborating conditions has coalesced concurrently in my consciousness:

• mojitos are delicious
• the mojito is a summer drink
• it's summer in Stockholm
• I live in Stockholm
• mojitos are expensive in Stockholm
• I have an unopened bottle of rum in my bar
  

Coincident cognition of these conspiring contentions completely compelled concordant comprehension of the correct connotation, convincing me to concoct this lovely summer beverage.

So yesterday I made my first mojito.

Ingredients:
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup water
5-10 large mint leaves or medium-sized sprigs
1 lime
1 cup crushed ice
½ cup rum
club soda or sparkling water

Mix the sugar and water in a small pot or sauce pan, and bring almost to a boil, ensuring that the sugar dissolves completely in the water. Add a bit more sugar if you want a thicker, sweeter syrup. Place the syrup in the fridge to cool.

Put the mint into a tall glass and crush it against the inside of the glass using a fork. Once the syrup is cool, pour it into the glass with the crushed mint and stir it around a bit. Cut the lime in two, squeeze the juice into the glass and drop the lime halves in too. Add the crushed ice and rum, and top off with club soda or sparkling water. If you like, garnish with a sprig of mint.

Enjoy!