Posted on January 13, 2012
Virgin Mojito
Crush mint, lime and basil together and you’ve got a refreshing blast of flavor! While basil may seem unconventional in a beverage, it’s actually botanically related to mint, adding a light floral essence.
By Marianne Wren | Photo: Yvonne Duivenvoorden
INGREDIENTS:
- 1/2 cup torn fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup torn fresh mint leaves
- large lime, cut into small wedges
- 1 tsp organic evaporated cane juice
- 2 cups sparkling water
- Ice, as desired
- Fresh mint sprigs for garnish, optional
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Place basil, mint, lime and cane juice in the bottom of a large martini shaker. Using a wooden spoon, crush mixture until lime releases most of its juice and herbs are slightly bruised, about 2 minutes.
- Top with sparkling water and stir to com-bine. Fill 2 glasses with ice and divide mixture evenly among glasses. If desired, garnish with mint sprigs.
Nutrients per 8-oz serving: Calories: 30, Total Fat: 0 g, Sat. Fat: 0 g, Carbs: 8 g, Fiber: 3 g, Sugars: 2 g, Protein: 1 g, Sodium: 8 mg, Cholesterol: 0 mg
Nutritional Bonus:
Basil has been shown to possess both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties thanks to the volatile oils within its leaves. Components such as estragole, linalool, eugenol and limonene, to name a few, in the basil may help restrict the growth of bacteria.
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MUDDLED UP:
The act of crushing the herbs and lime together is referred to by bartenders as “muddling.” The idea is to get the 2 aromatic ingredients to release their essential oils, providing maximum flavor!
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