Simple Surprises: Agave Mojito
26Here at Shut Up & Cook, it’s all about the twist on the expected. The interwebs are flooded with loads of food blogs (some good, some great, some downright bad), and all boasting their own interpretation of why they’re unique. You have gluten-free vegetarians, lovers of scones, and those who just want to eat bacon, morning, noon, and night. You have the tidy baker, the messy cook, and new, left-handed moms in the kitchen. I could go on and on, but if you’re here you’ve probably already read your fair share of them, and have hopefully found your niche.
In all my cooking, and my writing, I try to capture the everywoman in the kitchen; this idea of the Attainable Gourmet. It’s all about cooking great food, with great friends, drinking great wine, and seeing what happens when you put all that together. It’s about finding life’s little treasures, when you least expect it, and slowing down enough to actually be able to appreciate it.
Deviled Deliciousness with Chef’s Choice Toppings from Matt’s in the Market
There are so many standard recipes out there, and it’s good to have a few in your back pocket because you never know when you’ll be called on to make a perfect tray of Deviled Eggs or stunning Lemon Tart, but in general, I like to try to take the everyday and make it exceptional. This doesn’t mean fussy, or precious, or requiring 50 ingredients you’ve never heard of, but rather creatively looking at the palette of ingredients available to you, and the inspiration driving, and taking it from there.
This Agave Mojito is easy yet indulgent in spades. It’s made with Blue Agave, saving you from the dreaded simple syrup making (because who wants to be stirring sugar and hot water when you just want a cocktail), and is a perfect way to use up the mint that is quickly trying to take over your tomato plants. The act of letting the mint and the rum infuse makes this less laborious than the standard version, and garnished with a sprig still delivers the visual punch.
What is your favorite twist on the expected in the kitchen?
Agave Mojito
Serves 1, can easily be multiplied for a crowd
Does anything say summer more than this?
- 8 mint leaves + sprig for garnish
- 2 oz rum, I like Turkey Shore Distillery because it’s from the street I grew up on…and it’s really good
- Juice of 1/2 lime
- 1 oz Blue Agave Syrup, I used Wholesome Sweetners since it’s organic and lower in calories, mixed with 1 oz hot water
- Club Soda
- In a cocktail shaker add the mint leaves and rum and muddle. Allow to sit for 5 minutes to infuse the flavor.
- Add the lime juice, agave syrup, and hot water.
- Add a handful of ice cubes to the shaker and shake well to combine.
- Strain into Collins glasses, over ice (I like the giant ice cubes because they melt slower )
- Top with a splash of club soda and sprig of mint
Category Drinks, Entertaining, Uncategorized | Tags: agave syrup as simple syrup substitute, agave syrup in mojitos, attainable gourmet, deviled eggs, easy mojitos, how to use up mint, low calorie cocktails, matts in the market deviled eggs, Mojito
Oo I like this idea of agave as a simple syrup substitute! I make mojitos just by smashing the limes and lime juice up with sugar first (not with simple syrup), but I could totally see myself using that in other drinks.
No mint in yours, Allison? Or do you mean smashing the mint and the lime juice with the sugar? I was skeptical to try this out at first, but my friend who’s a master bartender swore by it and it’s really good!
Oh yeah, mint too, of course! But I start smashing the limes with the sugar first so some of the sugar kind of dissolves into the lime juice, and THEN smash in some mint. I would like to try out your agave version sometime soon, too!
Got it! I’ll try that next time! So many mojitos to drink…so little time.
1. so true. who wants to make simple syrup to make a drink?
2. i absolutely LOVE your description of SU&C – so inviting and perfect!
3. is there really a left-handed mom in the kitchen blog? lmao
4. I need one of these drinks. stat.
1. Not me…particuarly b/c inevitably later in the night someone knocks over said simple syrup and due to many mojitos someone forgets to clean it up until the next morning.
2. Thanks!!! I had some help… 🙂
3. Probably…would you really be surprised?
4. Little Water Cantina date coming up!
Yay mojito! This is exactly what I want to drink in summer. I might try a version with honey too. 🙂
Honey would be Eileen…good idea! Thanks for stopping by.
This looks so refreshing! I’ve heard of agave syrup, and can’t wait to try it when I’m back in the States (it’s not yet popular in France). Lately I’ve been adding basil and mint to my gin and tonics for a summery twist.
Love the addition of herbs to cocktails. People don’t often think to do it, but it’s delicious! I once made a chervil cocktail that was really yummy…now you’ve inspired me to make it again!
Mojitos are a perfect summer sipper! Yours looks so refreshing and I just can’t resist lime and mint. Agave syrup is such a good sub for simple syrup and easy to keep on hand. I need to try it in more cocktails. I like your blog description – you summed it up beautifully. Have a wonderful weekend – any fun Seafair plans?
Thanks so much for the kind words, Hannah! This little blog of mine is definitely beginning to find it’s voice. I missed Seafair (blissfully) since I was down in Portland, Oregon for a girl’s weekend. At least the Seattle skies behaved for it this year though! Did you partake in any of the festivities?
Hope you had a terrific girls’ weekend in Portland – such a perfect spot to visit. We spent Saturday at a friend’s place on the lake so it was fun and festive. Loved the sun!!
I thought about making my blog all healthy, or something specific, but then decided I like making unhealthy treats too. It is more fun having a blog that shares lots of different areas of the food world! I love all the different treats you share on your site! And you seem so happy, which I love! Agave in a mojito would be a perfect combination:-) Hugs, Terra
Thanks Terra…I completely agree. As Julia Child would say, “All things in moderation. Including moderation.” I definitely can’t live on mojitos and carbonara, but also doesn’t mean I’m goingto relegate myself to a life of tofu and steamed veggies! Thanks as always for stopping by…so fun to catch up with everyone out there.
I am right there with you! I’ve been using Agave Nectar for adding sweetness to all of my cocktails this summer. It’s so good, PLUS it’s quicker than making simple syrup, so I’m all over it. And I recently tried a new Agave Nectar Liqueur that totally accentuates it, too! I could definitely go for one (or more) of these mojitos today!
Girlichef…if you’ve been doing it all summer, you’re definitely ahead of us! Any other tricks you’ve been hiding up your sleeves? 🙂
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wow…thanks very much! I’ll go check it out. Thanks again! Love the support for Shut Up & Cook!
We have loads of mint growing in a shady patch in our yard. I’m always happy to find more ways to use it, and of course mojitos sing summer! So many sunny days we’ve been blessed with, these are just perfect for that.
I know! Thank goodness we’re actually getting summer this year, and thereby have full carte blanche to drink as many mojitos as we want!!
I’ve never made a mojito at home before. I have a lot of mint right now, so I should get to it. And I like the idea of not having to make a simple syrup.
Now definitely is the time to start…or should I say thyme…given how crazy all the mint is going! And yes, the added benefit of skipping the simple syrup makes this a breeze.
Ohh love Mojito’s and when the heat kicks in here is Seattle perfect timing!!
I know! At last, summer has arrived giving us carte blanche to drink mojitos every night of the week!
Combining 2 of my favourite things – Mojitos and Agave! Thanks.