Mojito time: classic Cuban cocktail is spicing up bar menus nationwide.

Looking to enliven the cocktail options in your club bar during the end of this summer season? Then consider the Mojito. This classic drink has successfully elevated its profile in the past year and is sweeping the country in a newfound wave of popularity--due in no small part to the spreading influence of Latino culture across the United States.

The tropical Mojito drink has its roots in the Cuban capital of Havana, and it first gained popularity in this country as far back as 1890. Known originally for its ability to conceal the harsh tastes of rum, the Mojito in its modern form integrates an increased focus on tropical ingredients and flavors. Also, today's Mojitos are almost always paired with top shelf rum brands such as Cruzan, Bacardi, Angostura, Appleton, Captain Morgan, and Malibu.

The spread of the Mojito's influence to upscale watering holes across the country originated in traditional Cuban nightspots In Key West and other parts of South Florida, then migrated north to major metropolitan areas like Washington, D.C. and New York, then went west to Denver and the Los Angeles area. The classic Mojito mixture blends rum, freshly squeezed lime juice, fine sugar, and soda in a delicate mixture, finished off by its most important element--mint leaves.

It is by no means a simple drink for a bartender to prepare, but the basic blend lends itself well to personalization, as many bartenders are augmenting the Mojito with an array of tropical, fruit-based flavors. The first step, though, in analyzing the ideal Mojito is to procure the freshest ingredients, particularly in regard to the mint leaves, which, depending on what region of the country you are in, may sometimes be rather difficult to obtain.

The introduction of flavored rums to the spirits market in recent years has also helped expand the ease of which bartenders can alter the profile of the basic Mojito. Cruzan, the company that produces the traditional, classic choice of rum for the drink, now offers their product in eight unique, tropical flavors: Raspberry, Coconut, Mango, Vanilla, Pineapple, Banana, Orange, and Citrus. Much like the flavored vodka trend of a few years back, the new flavored rums can help your club bartender add variety more simply and effectively. The built-in flavor of the spirits can also help cut down on the use of added cordials and liquers--which will go a ways toward helping your bottom line in the process.

Presented here, along with the recipe for the classic Mojito cocktail, are some interesting flavor variations you may wish to roll out in your club bars this summer:

Classic Mojito

Ingredients:

   Juice of 1/2 lime (fresh)
   1 tsp. Superfine Sugar
   8 Mint Leaves
   1.5 oz. Rum
   Chilled Seltzer Water

Directions:

Squeeze the lime into a glass. Add
sugar. Muddle. Add mint and lightly
muddle. Add enough crushed ice to fill
the glass 2/3. Pour in rum, stir, and fill
to the top with seltzer water.
All recipes provided courtesy of the
Distilled Spirits Council of the United
States.

Mojito Andaluso

Ingredients:

   1-1/4 oz. Rum
   1/4 oz. Cream Sherry
   4 Mint Tops
   Juice of 1 Lime
   2 Spoons Canned Pineapple
   1/4 oz. Rock Candy
   Ginger Ale

Directions:

Muddle the mint, lime juice, and
pineapple with the rock candy syrup in
a shaker. Add the rum, sherry, and ice.
Fill with ginger ale, roll, and serve (do
not strain). Garnish with a sugar cane
stick, flesh mint, and pineapple.

Pineapple Mojito

Ingredients:

   1.25 oz. Rum
   1/2 oz. Cream Sherry
   Juice of 1 Lime
   3/4 oz. Rock Candy Syrup
   3-4 Mint Sprigs
   2 tbsp. Fresh Pineapple
   Splash Ginger Ale

Directions:

Place the mint leaves, lime juice,
pineapple pulp, and rock candy syrup
in a mixing glass. Muddle for a few
seconds, then add ice. Pour the rum
and ginger ale, then pour into a highball
glass (do not strain).

Garnish: sprig of mint, sugar cane
stick.

Cucumber Lavender Mojito

Ingredients:

   1 1/2 oz. Light Rum
   Juice of 1 Lime
   3/4 oz. Rock Candy Syrup
   3-4 Mint Sprigs
   1/4 Bar Spoon Lavender Pods
   1-inch Cucumber w/Peel
   Splash of Club Soda

Directions:

Place the mint leaves, lime juice, cucumber,
lavender, and rock candy
syrup in a mixing glass. Muddle for a
few seconds, then add ice. Pour the
rum and club soda, then pour into a
highball glass (do not strain).

Garnish: sprig of mint, sugar cane
stick.