Keeping Cool

It's been a hot summer this year in San Francisco. Today's temperature reached a high of 87 degrees! Those of you familiar with the climate in the Bay Area know that anything above 80 degrees is warmer than usual within city limits. Keeping cool is key when the sun is hot and the days are long. My favorite thing to enjoy on a balmy day is a cool cocktail. My drink of choice lately has been a refreshing mojito. I enjoy the tangy flavor of lime, with the refreshing essence of mint and a light kick from rum, topped off with fizzy soda. I played mixologist this past week with a wonderfully refreshing concoction of mint, strawberries and ginger. I made a simple syrup of raw sugar and steeped freshly minced ginger to infuse the sweet nectar with a hint of spice.
I added the warm syrup to a jar and added torn mint, fresh squeezed limes and sliced strawberries. I cooled the mixture and let all the ingredients infuse the syrup for about an hour. I then combined the pink sweet syrup with crushed ice and generous shot of light rum and topped it all off with a splash of mineral water. Summer in a glass!

The Food Diva's Fabulous Summer Berry Mojitos

1 bunch fresh mint, leaves torn

1 pint fresh strawberries, quartered

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup fresh ginger, peeled and minced

4 limes, cut in half and juiced

Ice cubes

1 (750 ml bottle) light rum

1 liter Pellegrino

In a small saucepot combine the sugar and water. Heat over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. Add ginger and bring to a simmer. Remove syrup from heat and allow to cool slightly. Once cooled, but still warm, pour into a glass container. Add the juiced limes (fruit and juice), the mint and strawberries. Allow the mixture to sit atleast one hour, uncovered, to infuse all the flavors. In a tall glass add ice, a 1/4 cup of the mojito syrup, 2 ounces of rum and fill with Pellegrino, give it a stir, and enjoy!

Keep cool, and until next time Happy Eating!
The Food Diva