Classic Mojito

Mojitos - a classic Cuban concoction of rum, mint, sugar, lime juice, and club soda - used to be one of my favorite bar drinks to order - until I learned some years ago that regular granulated sugar wasn't vegan and became more careful. Luckily I can still make this delicious drink quite easily at home!

Place 2 tablespoons raw sugar and 15 fresh mint leaves in the bottom of a 2-cup measuring cup. Crush with a wooden spoon - I like mine really finely crushed, so there are no big chunks of mint. Add 1/4 cup white rum (such as Bacardi Silver) and 1 and 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice; stir until the sugar dissolves. Pour in 1/4 cup chilled club soda - I discovered the delightfully quaint seltzer water sold in an old-fashioned glass bottle from Boylan Bottle Co. and couldn't resist buying it.

Looks like their sodas are vegan-friendly, too, so check them out: www.boylanbottling.com

Place 1/2 cup ice cubes in a tall glass. Pour in the mojito mixture, and serve immediately! This makes enough for 1 drink of 240 calories. Keep extra limes and mint around, because people will want to make their own.

Cost:
mint $1.99
limes $0.66
club soda $1.50