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

IMG_2567.jpg

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!!

YUM!!! The perfect mojito!!

One of my many mint plants!! Yay for mint season!! Oh, and I love plant critters---yes that's what I call them! ;)

Cheers to yummy mojitos--always!! :)

It's Friday Cocktail Time!! Spicy Pineapple Edition!

Hey Mommas!! Happy Friday!! Holla!!! Who's ready for the weekend??!! I sure am!!! Not because I don't have work to do, just because I like the weekends!!

This weekend, I have a full schedule of prepping for being a vendor at the Indie Trunk Show in Tulsa!!  Of course I have never done the show thing before, so I'm just a tad stressed trying to figure out what all I need and what I don't need!  I've always been an overpacker from way back....just ask my husband.  He's been complaining about hauling around all my bags every time we take a trip for the past decade!! Sorry honey!! But, now I'm packing essentially for all you mommas!! I'm loading up all my goodies to showcase them all to you, so you can imagine the nightmare it is trying to plan for this!! Come see me in Tulsa mommas because I promise you....I won't be understocked!!! ;)  Mr. Mojito, sorry in advance.

On another note, I am also attending the Wanderlust Pop-Ups in OKC on Saturday, April 15th!! I am SO excited about this one!! There's going to be yummy food, a ferris wheel, and all sorts of other fun things for the fam!! You definitely don't want to miss this one!!  So definitely make plans to come see me in OKC and enjoy the fun!!

This spring has already been so busy, it's making my head spin!! But I love it and wouldn't have it any other way!! So who needs a cocktail?!! I sure do! Hey it's Friday and it's 5:00, am I right?? How about something a little sweet but a little spicy too?? Mmmmmm, sounds good right?! Well it is! You're going to love it! Here's my recipe for my Spicy Pineapple!! Have a great weekend and cheers mommas!!

xx, Momma Mojito

 

MOMMA MOJITO'S SPICY PINEAPPLE

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz. Tito's Vodka
  • 4 oz. Pineapple Juice
  • Tabasco Sauce to Taste
  • Club Soda
  • Kosher Salt, Chili Powder, Cayenne Pepper, Sugar for Rim
  • Lime Wheel and Straw for Garnish

Directions:

In a mason jar, run a halved lime all over the rim of the jar.  Now on a plate or shallow bowl, mix up the kosher salt, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and a bit of sugar all together.  No measurements here---just however salty/spicy/sweet you like it.  Combine it all thoroughly with a fork.  Now dip the rim of the mason jar in that salt/sugar combo.  Make sure the entire rim is coated.  Perfect.  Now add cubed ice all the way to the top of the glass.  Next, add the Tito's followed by the Pineapple Juice.  Then you're going to add the Tabasco Sauce to taste.  Just a few dashes oughta be great.  Next, top off the glass with club soda.  Give it a stir and garnish with a lime wheel and straw and you're good to go!!  (On your back porch that is!!)  Cheers mommas!!

It's Friday Cocktail Time!! Best Beer Edition!!

Hey mommas!! Happy Friday and happy St. Patrick's Day to ya!! Hope you've got your green on!! In honor of St. Patrick's Day today, I decided to round up all of my favorite beers that I think are the absolute best and share them with you guys!!

It's a known fact that I do love a good cocktail, and of course I love my wine.  However, every once in a while, you just crave a crisp and refreshing brew.  It's true.  Now, I won't lie to you; beer is not my go-to choice of beverage.  While it may be Mr. Mojito's, I don't think mojitos (or wine!) and I will ever part.  Now a good portion of my list has some girly choices, but hey I AM a girl and I'm not ashamed that I do like some of the fruitier beers.  If you're a guy reading this post, this list will probably not be helpful for you.  However, I think you ladies will appreciate this list.

Mr. Mojito always makes me laugh when we're out at bars and restaurants.  Without fail, he always asks what beers they have on tap, and he always branches out and tries a new one.  But 99.9% of the time, he hates whatever new beer he tries and he has to force himself to drink it.  Sometimes they are so bad, he won't even bother drinking it and will just order something else.  While Mr. Mojito's adventurous beer-drinking spirit is admirable, he already knows what beer he loves and once you have found the one---sometimes it's hard for anything else to even come close. That's how I feel about Mr. Mojito....except maybe Ryan Gosling-he may come close.  JUST KIDDING! (Mr. Mojito, if you're reading this--it was just a JOKE! ;) )

So before I dig my hole any deeper, here's my list of my 10 favorite beers.  And yes, Mr. Mojito and I actually do agree on #1 on the list.  Gotta hand it to him...he has good taste in beer...and women! ;) Cheers mommas and see you next week!!

xx, Momma Mojito

 

MOMMA MOJITO'S TOP TEN LIST OF BEST BREWS

10. Heineken Lager

9. Corona Extra Lager

8. Sam Adams Boston Lager

7. Shiner Holiday

6. Blue Moon Belgian White

5. Landshark Lager

4.  Shiner Ruby Redbird

3. Shiner Prickly Pear

2. Dos Equis Lager

1. Shiner Bock

 

*Note--we like Shiner in this family and so should you! ;)

It's Friday Cocktail Time! Sparkling Grapefruit Refresher Edition!

Hey there mommas!! Happy Friday!! Who's excited for Spring Break?! I know, I know.  It means basically nothing to adults.  A chance to screw up our normal routine and try to figure out how to entertain our kids for a week while they're off school, meanwhile us mommas can't get any real work done!! Am I right??  #momlife.

So it's been a super busy week for me.  I had the chance to attend a social media conference in the Plaza District in OKC on Monday and it was really fun! I heard from different business owners and was so inspired by all of the hustlers in this city.  There is something that I have noticed about Oklahoma City since we have moved here that I would have never really guessed....no offense Oklahomans.  But as a Texas girl, we don't really associate culture with Oklahoma.  I'm sorry, but it's true.  Texans are kind of biased that way.  HOWEVER, I have been SO impressed with all of the culture in Oklahoma City.  There is a neat vibe going on with the 20 and 30 year-old something groups here that is so inspiring.  There is so much creativity, passion, and dedication to bringing something different to this town.  It really is very inspiring.  The young professionals here are taking risks and completely unabashedly owning their business with all the confidence of a person twice their age.  I'm excited to witness it take place around me and hopefully contribute to the movement as well.  I heard a speaker on Monday call it a renaissance and it has stuck with me. Renaissance indeed.

Also this week, my youngest rugrat turned 6 years old.  It's hard to believe.  He's my momma's boy and luckily he hasn't become too cool for his momma.  I dread the day when he is embarrassed by getting kisses from me.  He's still going to get them anyway, but I love how much he loves them right now.  We got him a harmonica and a guitar for his birthday.  My ears already are wondering why but hey--I guess it's better than drums right?? ;)

On another note, I have signed on for my first ever trunk show.  I am so excited! I have thought about doing shows from the beginning of Momma Mojito, but moving kind of got in the way of everything.  So the time has finally come to hit the road and see what Momma Mojito can do! I hope you guys come out and see me at Central Park Hall at the Expo Center in Tulsa on April 8th!

Finally, it IS Friday.  So let's celebrate the end of a busy week with a cocktail, shall we?  I don't know about you girls, but my diet has been lacking lately while I've been so busy.  So I desperately needed a cocktail that was light on the calories.  Cue this Sparkling Grapefruit Refresher.  So crisp and refreshing and delightfully low on the calories.  Thank you very much. Here it is girls! Enjoy!

xx, Momma Mojito

 

MOMMA MOJITO'S SPARKLING GRAPEFRUIT REFRESHER

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz. Bacardi White Rum
  • Splash of Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice
  • Grapefruit La Croix Sparkling Water (to taste)
  • Lemon Slice (to garnish)

Directions:

In a glass, fill with crushed ice.  Pour in your rum.  Next, add your splash of Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice.  (You judge the splash!)  Then, pour in the Grapefruit La Croix to the top.  Give it a slight stir and garnish with a lemon slice.  Cheers mommas!!

It's Friday Cocktail Time!! Rosita Edition!!

Hey mommas!! Happy first Friday of March!! Woohoo for being this much closer to Spring!! The warm weather keeps teasing us and I'm so ready for it to stick around for longer!!  I can't wait to get to work outside on my new flower beds.  I absolutely love getting my hands dirty gardening. Betcha didn't know that about Momma Mojito huh?  I always attempt a garden every year in the spring, even if it's just a little one.  I'm sure this year will be no exception.  I love watching things grow and seeing how different factors contribute to a plant's growth or in many cases of mine..its death.  But hey, I'm getting better at gardening as I age.

One of the things I absolutely love to grow is rosemary.  It's so, so easy to grow and it's so hardy. Seriously, you can't kill the stuff.  Even in the dead of winter, you can go out and grab some sprigs off your rosemary plant to cook with and it will still be green and healthy.  Plus, I adore the smell of rosemary.  At our previous home, I had planted a small tiny rosemary plant that I had transplanted from our days of duplex life.  By the time we were moving out this past December, I was so sad to leave it because it had grown into a 3.5 foot bush!!  I did grab a few sprigs to transplant here at this house so I hope that I have a giant rosemary bush again by the time we have to move from this new home.

Anyway, not only can you cook with rosemary, you can also drink with rosemary.  Sure enough. You could use it in your tea or flavored water, but it's surprisingly good in your cocktail.  Yep.  It adds a woodsy, herby flavor to your cocktail that is unique and quite tasty.   There's a bar & restaurant here in OKC that I love called PUB W.  The food is so yummy and the cocktails are even better.  They make a cocktail called Smoke & Rose with rosemary and Mezcal that is delish.  I wanted to recreate it at home but Mezcal didn't exactly float my boat when I went to buy it at the liquor store.  Liquor with a worm floating inside??? No thanks.  I'll stick to my beloved high-quality Tres Generaciones Reposado Tequila.  So if you're like me and worms weird you out, just getcha a good quality reposado tequila.  It tastes better, trust me.  With that said, if you're a braver woman than I am then by all means make this cocktail with Mezcal and it will also taste amazing.

So here is my recipe for my cocktail recreated from the bar geniuses at Pub W...with my own twists on it of course.  I named it Rosita because of the beginning of rosemary and since it's got tequila in it, I wanted to give it some Hispanic flavor so Rosita it is!! Aye yai yai!!  ;) Cheers mommas!!

xx, Momma Mojito

 

MOMMA MOJITO'S ROSITA

Ingredients:

  • 1.75 oz. Tres Generaciones Reposado Tequila
  • 1 Lime
  • 2 Sugar Cubes
  • 2 Sprigs of Rosemary
  • Club Soda
  • Lighter/Grill/Open flame of some sort!

Directions:

In a old-fashioned glass, pull the leaves off 1 sprig of rosemary and throw them in the bottom of the glass.  Then, place 2 slices of the lime in the bottom of the glass over the top of the rosemary. Place the 2 sugar cubes on top.  Now with your hand, squeeze the rest of the lime over the top of the rosemary, lime slices, and sugar cubes.  Next, grab a muddler and muddle everything in bottom of the glass.  Great.  Fill with crushed ice to the top of the glass.  Now, pour in the tequila (or mezcal if you're being adventurous!). Then, pour in club soda to the top.  Finally, take your last sprig of rosemary and light the tips on fire.  Yes, please do be careful.  (Disclaimer: Momma Mojito is not liable for any incidents! Use your own judgment mommas!)  All you're looking to do here is just barely char the tips of the rosemary sprig.  Okay great....now place in your glass as a garnish and use it to slightly stir the whole drink together.  Yum!! How's that for a delicious and interesting cocktail??