It is tough to admit this, as a bourbon guy, but the mojito is probably one of my favorite cocktails. First off, it encompasses some of my most favorite ingredients – lime and mint. Okay, I have a bit of a sweet tooth too so I do like the sugar.
The mojito is also one of the most refreshing cocktails around. It’s just hard to beat. One of my favorite things about it is how versatile it is. You can easily mix up any mojito recipe and make it your own because it is based on citrus, herbs, and sweet sweet rum. Seriously, replace the mint with cilantro or the lime with meyer lemon. So many combos!
This particular version — the Ginger Pomegranate Tea Mojito — was inspired by Numi Presence tea, a blend of bamboo, lemongrass and spearmint. The tea is clean, crisp, and slightly sweet. It is literally a mojito without the rum… til now. I gave it a fun twist with fresh pomegranate arils and ginger beer. You seriously want to be “present” when this cocktail is served!
- 10 fresh mint leaves, more for garnish
- 1 teaspoon raw sugar
- 1 lime
- 4 ounces rum
- 4 ounces ginger beer
- 4 ounces brewed tea, Numi Presence
- ¼ cup pomegranate arils
- Water
- Lemon for garnish
- First you are going to create pomegranate ice cubes. I do this because the seeds simply sink to the bottom. This provides a nice visual. Add water to an ice tray and divide the arils between the cubes. Place in freezer and store until frozen solid.
- Add mint leaves to a collins glass along with the sugar. Cut the lime in half and squeeze the juice from one half into the glass. Muddle. When muddling, you want to dissolve the sugar in the lime juice and infuse it with mint. But don't over do it. You don't want to abuse the mint.
- Add the pom ice along with the rum, ginger beer, and brewed tea. Using a mixing spoon, stir the cocktail. Add more lime if you wish. Mojitos are never shaken as they usually have club soda. Same here because of the ginger beer.
- Top off with fresh mint and a swirl of lemon peel. Enjoy!
- Oh, and once all that ice melts, you get the benefit of tasty pomegranate seeds and all those antioxidants. Between the tea and the the seeds, this cocktail is pretty much a healthy smoothie. That is what I am telling myself.
Love the light flavor of tea in a cocktail? Try our Blood Orange and Basil Sangria next.
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