Yes, this is a blatant endorsement of Bacardi rums. Notwithstanding the fact I lived 10 minutes away from the old Bacardi distellery, I honestly am of the belief that mojitos without Bacardi are not mojitos.

And grock knows I need one.

There is so much to write about 2006 that, honestly, I have no idea where to start. So yes, it calls for a good, "it reminds me of home" drink.

So here it is people ...

Liza's secret Mojito recipe
(1 serving)

1.5 oz white rum
Do I have to tell you which rum?

fresh spearmint leaves
The amount depends on how big they are;
Maybe 6-10 leaves.

1/2 - whole lime
The quantity depends on how limey you want it.
You cannot make this drink with lemons!

7 oz club soda

4 tsp. sugar
This drink calls for white sugar,
although some people use brown.
This is stupid because it changes
the impact of the rum. Might as
well make it with dark rum.

lots of ice

Peeled sugar cane for garnish

Mixing Instructions:
I prefer a wide lowball glass instead of a highball for this drink. I also like to mix it all in the glass.

Start with the lime juice. Fork it so you get the juice and pulp in the glass. Take the seeds out.

Mix in the sugar to disolve.

Now add the spearmint leaves. If you have a pestle handy, machaca the leaves lightly in the syrup to release their flavor.

Last but not least, add the ice, rum and soda water --in that order if rum is more important to you than the water

Now, here's were some people differ : In Puerto Rico, we stir. I've seen people in NYC shake the mix.

I prefer mine stirred, not shaken.

Garnish with sugar cane, a lime wedge and/or more mint leaves.

Now off to blog a Year in Review post!