Mojitos and more...

My search for good mojitos has led me to learn a bit more about the Mojito History and I found its history as refreshing as the drink. Whether it originated from pirates, slaves, or at La Bodeguita del Medio, today we have a refreshing cocktail that entices even those that are not avid drinkers. Well it also entices those that were avid drinkers too, Ernest Hemingway was a big fan of the drink.

In October 2008 I was on one of my weekend trips to PR and a good friend took me to dinner at Raices in Old San Juan, that's where it all started for me. I looked at the menu and I saw they had a drink called Mojito Enamorao' (Mojito in Love), my first thought was "leave it to my fellow puerto ricans to alter a well known Cuban Drink", I asked the waiter what exactly was a Mojito Enamorao and he explained to me that it had Passion fruit juice in it. It made perfect sense to me, and since I love passion fruit juice, I decided to try it. It was utterly delicious, and from that day on I've been hooked. Upon my return to Miami I decided to drink Mojitos every time I have the chance. Thus far I have found good Mojitos in quite a few places; Mojito's Restaurant at the Dolphin Mall is a good start for newbies, the traditional Mojito is very good and you get to keep the souvenir glass if you wish, since the drink is so big you probably only have one. They have a variety of Mojitos but I prefer the traditional version.

I was pleasantly surprised that Bucca di Beppo a family style Italian Restaurant has a really good Lemon Basil Mojito. Bucca is a nationwide chain the drink appears to be standard in their menu but I can only attest for the bartenders in Davie and Miami Lakes, FL.

Dan Marino's Restaurant at Sunset Place as well as Jake's the Gastropub both in South Miami have pretty good Mojitos, but I have to do further research on that as I have a theory that it depends on the bartender. I will keep you posted...

Raices Old San Juan

I recently returned from another trip to PR, as usual one of my stops was at Raices in Old San Juan and once again I was not disappointed. During my trip I was with some friends from FL, meeting some friends that were traveling from TX, and some of my high school friends. My goal was to introduce them to Raices fabulous Mojito Enamorao (passion fruit mojito), by far the best passion fruit mojito in PR and in the US. I particularly enjoy my mojito in a cacharrita (tin can), which goes against all bar-tending rules but it really adds to the ambiance of " puerto rican countryside" (campo) that Raices exudes. Its hard to stay on your seat when the waitresses and waiters come around with their panderos and sing to the rhythm of plena, which also add a little bit of "cultural spice" to the place.

The food excellent as usual, we ordered the Festival Tipico as appetizer since our mission this time was mainly to concentrate on the mojitos. However, I can recommend the Tornado, Chuletas Khan Khan (pork chops) and the mofongo, and the plantain soup. In reading some of the postings in Trip Advisor someone commented that chuletas khan khan where fried. Seriously, that's what chuletas are all about. I suggest that when looking at the menu and deciding what to eat, ask the waiters and waitresses for ideas.

I was very happy to learn that they are expanding their location, this will help with the long wait. I had the opportunity to have a private tour of the expansion and believe me it going to be awesome. I can wait to be back and introduce more friends to Raices Mojito Enamorao and the great food, service and ambiance the place has to offer.

Mojitos: why the fascination??

After a nice evening with friends and following their encouragement I have decided to share my quest for good Mojitos with the world. I am not sure when or where my fascination with this tropical drink started, after all I've never been a rum drinker.

Actually I really used to dislike rum, maybe because I learned to make a mean rum and coke by age five, not by choice but because that was my father's drink of choice and he always asked me to fix them for him. Growing up in Puerto Rico you are exposed to rum, you get used to the smell of the sugar cane, driving through Arecibo and Camuy by the Palo Viejo, Ron Llave and Ron Granado distillery, or the small Barrilito destillery in my hometown of Bayamon, or the view of Bacardi in Catano, and the king of all Puerto Rican rums Ron Don Q from Ponce, PR and the Serralles family. Growing up in Puerto Rico you learn to be loyal to the Pina Colada, but even with the large number of Cubans in the island, I never heard of Mojitos.

Even after living in Miami for many years, I never heard of Mojitos until the late 90's at a family gathering, an even then I did not try it, because I didn't like rum!!

I think Mojito's became popular in Miami, with the advent of trendy South Beach, maybe it was the movie The Mambo Kings, maybe it was the Estefan's they made everything trendy and the opened Lario's Cuban Restaurant is South Beach, I am not sure and it really does not matter.

What matters is how, when, and why the Mojito has become my drink of choice, and it all started with a caipirinha, who knew! A good friend introduced me to Caipirinhas, the official cocktail of Brazil, with cachaca, sugar and lime. I loved it, and she mentioned that basically the Caipirinha was the Brazilian version of a Mojito, seriously she said that. In reality, it is not the Brazilian version of the Mojito, but it did peaked my curiosity about the Cuban drink.