I took a break from video recipes during Lent, but now we’re back with a fresh, smooth drink for the warming weather: the mojito. There’s a lot of controversy surrounding the proper technique for a mojito, and it seems like there are as many mojito recipes as there are bartenders. While there are certainly some laughably bad recipes out there, even the most legitimate recipes take some flack for not being done “the right way.” We often forget bartending is all about hospitality, so the real “right way” is whatever pleases your guest. As such, I made this mojito for my buddy Matthew per his specifications. Had I made it for myself, it would be a little different (aged rum, double-strained, maybe even a honey syrup and a dash of orange bitters– I’m getting off topic). Had I made it for you, it would be different still, and that’s okay.

Mixing an outstanding drink is only part of a bartender’s responsibility;
the real mark of great bartending is making people feel comfortable.