The teacher in me has always clung to the belief that ”cheaters never prosper”, but the truth is, not all copycatting is bad. This Monday is a perfect example…

When I think of Mondays, the word “refreshing” does not generally come to mind.  Just the word “Monday” used to cause my anxiety to spike a bit. I guess I’m not alone; many studies have shown that most heart attacks occur on Monday mornings. Martini Mondays have made me look forward to the first day of the work week. No matter how overwhelmed I get, I know it will end up with girlfriends and a cocktail of choice. That  makes my craziness more manageable.

Several of my girlfriends have recently switched from ordering their usual martini to mojitos instead. And since none of us can afford happy hours anymore, I set out to make a great mojito. Beach Fire, a local restaurant, makes the best mojito they’ve ever tasted.

Over the weekend, my girlfriend Dana and I did a little experimenting, intent on copying Beach Fire’s secret recipe. It took a couple of tries before we got past the “too minty”, “not sweet enough”, and ”where’s the rum?” hurdles, but we ultimately perfected our Copycat Beach Fire Mojito. Mix one up and see what you think. Here’s to a refreshing Monday and to copycatting that can be prosperous!

Copycat Beach Fire Mojito

2- 3 tbsp. Simple Syrup (purchase or make your own*) per drink

2 ounces Light Rum (per drink)

Club Soda

Limes (one per drink)

Fresh Mint

The secret to a mojito’s success depends on the blending of the lime and mint flavors. Mojitos are made using a muddler. To muddle is to combine ingredients, by pressing them with a muddler before adding the majority of the liquid ingredients. A muddler is a long pestle shaped commonly made of wood. If you do not have a muddler, cheat and use a wooden spoon.

Directions:

Muddle a generous pinch of mint and three lime wedges in a cocktail shaker. Muddle the lime and mint until well pulverized, add ice to fill the shaker.

Add 2-3 tbsp. simple syrup-this is equivalent to 1 oz. – 1 ½ oz. (depending on how sweet you like it) Fill the shaker with 2 ounces of rum (The glass, with the ice, should appear about 3/4 of the way full.) Shake until fully blended.

Transfer the shaken cocktail to a tall glass and fill with club soda. Stir well to mix the lime and mint. Garnish with a lime wedge and a mint sprig.

*Simple Syrup Recipe – put equal parts sugar and water into a pot and cook it on high (stirring the whole time) until it dissolves together(you do not want it boiling!).