Verano Verde
As mentioned in my previous post about honeydew-infused rum, I had a cocktail invention in mind when I infused the rum. And that invention is this: a honeydew-basil mojito. Because I prefer cocktail names that are more poetic than descriptive, though, I gave the drink the name “Verano Verde”. It’s a beautiful green color, and tastes just like summer should.
Ingredients:
2 oz. honeydew-infused rum
1 oz lime juice (or the juice of one lime, if you don’t want to get fussy about it)
3-4 basil leaves
1 teaspoon sugar
club soda
Muddle the basil leaves and the sugar in the bottom of a glass (buying a muddler was one of the best things I’ve done; I got this nice one at Crate & Barrel, but the back of a spoon will do in a pinch). When they’re sufficently muddled, add ice, lime juice, rum, give it a stir, and top up with club soda. If you’re feeling fancy, you could garnish with a piece of honeydew; I just put frozen pieces of the rum-soaked honeydew from the infusion in my guests’ glasses.
The drink is fresh, green, refreshing and clean. Lovely for a hot summer night.
