Hey mommas!! Happy Friday to ya!! Who’s excited for the weekend?? I know I sure am!! It's Easter weekend PLUS tomorrow is our 2nd event of the year, and we’re super excited about this event!! We are going to be at the Wanderlust Pop-Up Shops at the Wheeler Ferris Wheel!!! How fun is that?? There’s going to be over 65 local artists, crafters, makers, and boutique owners like me!! There’s going to be some really great food trucks serving up some yummy things. Then, there’s the Big Friendly Craft Beer Bus serving up some brews. Of course, there will also be lawn games, hammocks to lounge in, and the ferris wheel! This is an event that you can take the whole family out to and everybody will find something fun to do!! I’m really looking forward to seeing you mommas out there!! If you mention that you read my blog post, I will give you 25% off your total purchase!!!! HECK YEAH!!! That’s how much I love you mommas!!

Last weekend, I had such a great time meeting so many of you in Tulsa for the Indie Trunk Show! It was definitely a party going on at the Momma Mojito booth—just the way I like it!! ;) So with that said, I know some of you are new to my blog and new to following along with the Momma Mojito community and I think that’s great!! So happy to have you here! Since there are so many newbies around here, I thought I’d reintroduce myself to all you mommas.

I am Leslie Baker…aka Momma Mojito ;). I am the owner and party girl behind all of the fun that is Momma Mojito. I love my sweet little family that includes Mr. Mojito, Little Momma Mojito, and Little Mr. Mojito. We also have one purrrrrfect cat. Then, we have the world’s worst dog…second only to Marley (from Marley & Me). Our dog really gives Marley a run for his money. Haha! You’ll hear me talk about our crazy dog sometimes. She seriously gives me more trouble than the kids do…and that’s saying a LOT. I also love a wide array of music. Everything from The Black Keys, Alabama Shakes, Leon Bridges, old-school doo-wop all the way to new stuff like The Weeknd, Bruno Mars, and Ariana Grande. I know I’m kind of all over the place with music—but I like it that way. Of course I love cute clothes and accessories because what girl doesn’t?? Am I right?!? I love bringing my style to Momma Mojito and sharing all the fun with all you mommas!! I also can make a yummy cocktail in a flash. Yep. It’s my superhero skill. Just kidding. I’m not a professional BUT I do know my way well enough around the bar. Hmmm, when I say it like that, it doesn’t sound so great. Kinda sounds like the start to an AA meeting. Oh well. You get me mommas. ;)

Enter the mojito. The mojito and I first fell in love many, many years ago. It was an instant connection. The mint, the lime, the cool and crisp refreshing taste, and of course….the rum. I’m not so sure why it took me so many years after turning 21 to be introduced to this cocktail but hey—better late than never. My signature mojito has been experimented with plenty over the years. I have made ever flavor under the sun, and I have to tell you that each variation has been delicious in its own right. Mojitos are forgiving that way. They don’t care if you don’t have any limes on hand—make it with a damn lemon!! Feel like throwing in some other fruit?? Awesome! Add strawberries, blueberries, watermelon, pineapple, blackberries…you name it and it will probably taste great in a mojito. Don’t you just love that in a drink?? I know I sure do.

About 4 years ago, I was pretty fresh into my love affair with mojitos when my husband and I visited Key West for the 2nd time reliving our honeymoon for our 5th wedding anniversary. I had done some research on places and bars I wanted to visit….well because let’s be honest—this was a kid-free trip and I wanted to do some adult things for once in my life!! We stumbled into the Speakeasy Inn to The Rum Bar in the downstairs area of the inn. If you ever go to Key West, do me a favor and visit The Rum Bar. Oh how I loved that place. There is a bartender there that goes by the nickname Bahama Bob. He’s quite the bartender…let me tell ya. He serves on the International Rum Board (I gotta figure out how to be a member on that board!!) and he certainly knows his way around rum. Bahama Bob taught me some of his tricks, and alas my signature mojito was born thanks to his guidance. It’s easy and so incredibly simple that I’m somewhat embarrassed that this doesn’t sound more complicated. But hey sometimes the best things in life are the simplest things in life. I <3 MOJITOS! See you next week for another Friday Cocktail Time mommas!! Cheers to mojitos!!! :)

xx, Momma Mojito

(ps, don’t forget to come see me tomorrow at Wanderlust and mention this post for major savings!!!)

MOMMA MOJITO’S ORIGINAL CLASSIC MOJITO

Ingredients:

1.5 oz to 2 oz. of Bacardi White Rum (depending on how strong you like it!! I use 2oz. of course!)
.75 oz to 1 oz. of Simple Syrup (depending on how sweet you like it!!)
5 Large Mint Leaves (or 7-8 Small Ones!)
Juice of 1/2 a Lime (or a full lime if your limes are fairly small!)
Club Soda to Taste
Extra Mint and Lime Wheel for Garnish

Directions:

In a highball glass or a mason jar, throw your mint leaves in the bottom. Cover with the simple syrup. Muddle the leaves with a muddler or the backside of a spoon will work too. Muddle just enough for some of the mint flavor to be released but not too much or you will make your drink taste bitter. Next, fill the glass with crushed ice and muddle it again. This helps the ice get nice and packed into the drink well. Now, add the lime juice, rum, and top off the glass with the club soda. Give it a very slight stir. Now garnish with more mint leaves and a lime wheel. There you have it—the perfect classic mojito!!

It's Friday Cocktail Time!!! The MOJITO edition!!