Skinny Mojito

6 – 8 or so sprigs of mint leaves
1 thick wedge of lime, juiced
a tablespoon of fine easy dissolving granulated sugar, powered sugar or simple syrup
crushed or shaved ice
1 ­½ – 2 ounces light white or silver rum
carbonated water
Garnish with a lime wedge, a few springs of mint and for an exotic touch add a piece of sugar cane stick as a stirrer

Make a Low Calorie — Sugar Free — Skinny Mojito Yaay!

We have been making low calorie, low carb sugar free Mojito for years. Some are starting to call these drinks "Skinny Mojito's". We say "Hey, why do skinny people get to have all the sensible drinking fun?" We love drinking low carb and smarter. We want you to know that masculinity should never be offended, if a skinny Mojito they are then we are all skinny people too – no matter our girth. After all – it's all in Good Spirits.

Making a Mojito from scratch is a labor of love. This delightful summer cocktail is light and refreshing. We love them so much and drink them so often we perfected a low calorie and sugar free Mojito mix to expedite consumption. Because our mix adds less than 5 calories, only 1 carb and zero sugar in a 3 ounce serving it is really the skinny way to go. If we are in the mood we simply toss some fresh mint on top and sometimes a lime wedge for natural flair.

Now we know some of you just landed here out of curiosity and may have no interest in a Skinny Mojito Mix. Perhaps you are looking to learn how to make an amazing Mojito from scratch? To skip down to that section click here How to make a Mojito from scratch, or you will get there if you choose to keep reading. Perhaps you may not want to muddle about or know someone who is looking for the an easy way to enjoy the lighter side of cocktails and bring us to your next party?

Anyway, we tried lots of different combinations and did our homework to concoct the best tasting low calorie cocktails. Lighter cocktail lovers be cautioned – if you follow "the Housewives" Skinny Mojito Recipe and use a ½ teaspoon of warm honey to sweeten your Mojito it can add unnecessary carbs and sugar to the cocktail. We checked the Nutrition Facts on a jar of Pure Organic Honey that shows a tablespoon (1 tablespoon ≡ 3 teaspoons) of 100% pure organic honey has Calories 60, Carbohydrates 17g and Sugar 16g. Using a teaspoon of real sugar only has 4g of sugar. We also checked the nutrition facts for the other ingredients. The bottled lime juice from concentrate we checked had Calories 10, Carbohydrates 2g, Sugars 2g in 1 teaspoon (5ml), and from the USDA Nutrient database we learned that a ½ fresh lime can add a few more carbs. Count up the added sugars and carbs and we think there is nothing skinny or lower calorie about that, nothing at all.

Still, while we love our mix and use it exclusively, concocting a made from scratch low calorie Mojito can be very satisfying. We know first hand as we did this for years because we could not tolerate the artificial taste from other sugar free mixers and are just not interested in all the calories and sugars used in others. Not to mention most other mixers just miss the mark on taste by using the wrong type of lime or mint flavors. So for the best sugar free, low calorie Mojito we make drinks with Good Spirits Sugar Free Mojito Mix.

We love cocktails so much and want you to have an incredible Mojito experience. Although we would really prefer for you girls to try our " Skinny Mojito " Mix and learn what we rave about we truly understand using a bottled mixer to make a Mojito is not for everyone. Even those of you who will enjoy our Sugar Free Margarita Mix will not use a mix for a Mojito. So read on to where we have documented for you a very detailed and informative "How to Make a Mojito" from scratch. Also you may be interested in this Low Calorie Mojito Video there are some others on the site so check it out and we hope you come back to us soon. Cheers and read on...

For a little background on the Mojito...

The Mojito, is a cocktail that has captured the imaginations and taste buds of cocktail enthusiasts throughout the world. Born centuries ago outside of Havana, this Cuban cousin to the Mint Julep featuring the cool and refreshing flavors of sweet lime and salubrious mint with an intoxicating rum kick brings to mind soft island winds, palm trees swaying, and the gentle crash of ocean waves. Some say that decades ago Ernest Hemingway himself could be seen sipping Mojitos at La Bodeguita del Medio in Havana, Cuba. These days, there are many different local adaptations to the traditional Cuban Mojito due to the demands of local flavors coupled with the creative minds of bartenders in some of the best bars and night clubs around.

While to some the Mojito is so 2006 there is still no better cocktail to cool down your afternoon or a warm summer night. Now a standard call at many a watering hole and subject of many a tread you have found another place dedicated to this magical concoction. Nowadays, many establishments serve flavored Mojitos instead of those with just the distinct flavors of lime and mint. Fresh fruit and fruit flavors are very commonly infused when preparing a Mojito drink, the most popular of all fruit flavors being the mango. The tropical flavor of he mango naturally adds to the great qualities existing in a good Mojito and can be made either buy using mango flavored rum, adding mango flavoring or juice or muddling a piece of fresh mango along with the lime and mint. Other variations include adding a dash of Angostura orange bitters. Doing this lessens the sweetness of the Mojito which is preferred by some drinkers. Stronger and stiffer versions of Mojitos are also growing in popularity where traditional ingredients are substituted with golden rum and brown sugar. Occasionally, you may also find bars that offer clear or flavored vodka for rum in their Mojitos. Another popular favorite is adding watermelon and substituting a silver tequila (Really? yes really.) For this we use a splash or our Sugar Free Watermelon Martini Mixer to get the same refreshing taste without all the calories. While these options are actually quite good they have Hemingway rolling in his grave and Mojito "purists" falling off their bar stools. But never mind all that. Enjoy it how you like it and begin Livin' la Vita Loca. Que Rico!


How to Make a Mojito from scratch

The Mojito is the perfect summer drink. It is sweet, tangy and minty without losing the flavor and kick of the rum. A lot of people pay good money for a highball glass or two of Mojitos in a fancy nightclub or downtown bar, but wouldn't you rather learn how to make one yourself? Making a great Mojito is actually quite easy, and following theses simple steps will allow you to be able to enjoy and serve this Cuban drink to your guests during summer backyard barbecues, parties or any other intimate occasions you are hosting.

The mint and lime rind are important elements of the cocktail along with the choice of sweetener and alcohol. It's one of those drinks you must put the ingredients together, directly in the glass to make it properly. A great Mojito from scratch requires a little bit of craftiness to make. Here is what you can do for the perfect made from scratch Mojito —

1 –Select a tall highball class, "Collins" glass or Mojito tumbler,

2 –Twist 6 – 8 or so sprigs of mint leaves and drop them in the glass (twisting helps to release the natural essential oils — kinda like the zest of a lemon twist). In Havana they use Cuban mint (mentha nemorosa), the mint you usually find at the grocery store is usually spearmint (mentha spicata). Interestingly, spearmint is used to treat headaches by many herbalists. Some enthusiasts planting their own mint gardens opt for apple mint (mentha suaveolens), a close relative of the Cuban mint, and use that. In a leaf by leaf comparison they do taste different but the subtlety is often lost in the cocktail itself. Still, select yerba buena (good herb) mint when you can find it. Also be sure to remove the stems as they tend to be bitter and can alter the flavor of your Mojito.

3 – Hand squeeze the juice of a sliced lime over the mint leaves. Using your fingers to hand squeeze the lime does not disturb the bitter pith and you will end up with a more authentic drink.

4 – Drop the rind of the freshly squeezed lime over the mint leaves. This not only helps protect the leaves from being bruised or torn in the process of muddling the acid in the limes helps to release the mint oils from the leaves.

5 – Lightly muddle to press the flavored oils from the mint leaves and lime rinds. Using a muddle is best but in a pinch you can try using the back of a fork or spoon — avoid a whisk as the lime and mint can get stuck in the wires and just doesn't get the job done properly. Be sure not to over muddle the mint or you will end up with small pieces that could get stuck in your teeth or a grainy simple syrup and who wants that? NEVER pulverize or destroy the mint leaf. Muddle for 10 – 15 seconds until you can smell a light minty and limey aroma.

6 – Add about a tablespoon of fine easy dissolving granulated sugar, powered sugar or simple syrup. While the use of plain white sugar is an absolute no–no there is much debate here so you choose what you like best. Mojito "purists" insist on using granulated sugar rather than a powdered sugar or simple syrup claiming that using a granulated sugar grinds against the lime zest when muddling and results in a stronger lime taste. Some use "guarapo" in place of the powdered sugar. This is canned sugar cane syrup may be found in the Latin food section of the grocery store sold in 12 ounce cans similar to soft drinks. To make your own simple syrup heat equal parts of sugar and water in a saucepan until just before boiling. Keep stirring constantly until the sugar has completely dissolved. Be sure to chill or let stand to room temperature before using in your cocktail. (You can prepare one cup sugar with one cup water and keep the extra in the fridge for the next rounds.)

If you are watching your calories you can skip the sugar altogether or use your favorite sugar substitute. Just make sure to completely dissolve any power with water or club soda before mixing in your drink or it may lump in your drink. Moy bad.

7 – Fill the glass with crushed or shaved ice. Crushed ice melts faster than cubed ice and the extra area of surface ice will make your drink colder. To avoid brain freeze remember to always take your time when drinking your Mojito — never, ever finish your Mojito in less time than it took you to make it. Next,

8 – Add 1 1⁄2 – 2 ounces light white or silver rum. Definitely use white or silver rum and stay away from gold/dark as you want the bite to balance out the other ingredients. Also aged rum can muddy the color of the drink and bring some unwelcomed butterscotch, caramel or vanilla flavors to your drink. Although highly unorthodox for a fruitful variation try using flavored rums or vodkas.

9 – Top with carbonated water and stir to mix. NEVER shake your Mojito.

10 – Garnish with a lime wedge, a few springs of mint and for an exotic touch add a piece of sugar cane stick as a stirrer. As a variation many Havana hotels have been know to add a dash of orange bitters in order to cut the sweetness as well. It is up to you. After all it is your Mojito.

Makes only 1 murky light green, incredibly delicious and refreshing serving. This is the reason we made an incredibly delicious sugar free drink mixer! Que Rico!

Serving Size: One serving

Number of Servings: 1

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user CHUCKLES0719.