Mojito

Recipe Summary
Time: 10 mins
Servings: 1
Source: Jessica Harris' Rum Drinks

Ingredients
Spearmint, 5 leaves, fresh
Peppermint, 5 leaves, fresh
White rum, 2 oz.
Simple syrup, 1/2 oz.
Lime, juiced, 1 oz.
Ice cubes
Club soda

Directions

1. Muddle the spearmint leaves, lime juice, and simple syrup in a highball glass
2. Add the rum and ice and top with club soda
3. Stir to mix
4. Serve immediately

Notes

1. A garnish of a sprig of mint or a slice of lime may be added.
2. Bacardi Superior was my choice for white rum
3. Roll the lime on the counter pressing firmly to prep the fruit for juicing.
4. The hefty metal end of a whisk worked well since I did not have a muddler.
5. As with any adult beverage, the measurements are a suggestion. The crowd I served preferred sweet drinks so I ended up quadrupling the simple syrup and halving the lime juice.

Beat the heat with cucumber water

I literally have cucumbers coming out of my ears. Since I have grown tired of  tomato, cucumber, and mozzarella salad and despise pickles, I have had to get a bit more creative. My latest discovery has been putting slices of cucumber in my ice water. I found it to be quite wonderful but was concerned my California idea would not go over well in the South.

So, to test my idea, I served it to some skeptical house guests. To my surprise, and theirs, they enjoyed the "fresh" and "energizing" addition to tap water. This has been a welcome addition that fosters hydration in this intense summer heat. Try this tested and approved recipe at home!

Cucumber Water

1. Fill one water jug with water. 
2. Place desired amount of cucumber slices into jug.
3. Refrigerate for at least one hour. 
4. Serve chilled.

Reuse, Reduce, Recycle

Over the weekend my friend from out-of-town bought LSO a creme brulee from Fresh Market. She mentioned that she has found several uses for the ceramic dish container used to serve the dessert. Now that the word is out about cheap and easy creme brulee, I figured I would share our uses for the container.

Flower pot drainage
Pistachio shell receptacle
Mini grass patch for cats
Seed starter bowl
Candy dish

tea saucer