The Mojito is a classic cocktail with its origins in Cuba. Traditionally, the highball consists of five key ingredients: white rum, sugar cane juice, lime juice, sparkling water and yerba buena or its variant, spearmint.

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This variation includes juicy watermelon purée, fresh mint and a dash of grenadine. If you’re feeling really keen, make your own grenadine as well. The food blog Two Tarts has a basic recipe for homemade grenadine, and Serious Eats has another with a few more ingredients.

This recipe for Watermelon Mojitos serves one, but the ingredients can be easily multiplied for a larger gathering or pitcher.

Method:

- In a tall glass, place mint. Using the back of a wooden spoon or a muddler, muddle to release oil.
- In a blender, purée watermelon for 20 seconds. In a cocktail glass, combine watermelon, grenadine, lime juice and rum. Stir well. Add ice and top with sparkling water. Garnish with a sugar cane stirrer and lime wedge, if desired, and serve immediately.
- Makes 1 serving.

Nutrition information per serving: 170 calories; 1 g protein; 12 g carbohydrate; 1 g fibre; 10 mg sodium.

Source: National Watermelon Promotion Board

Photo credits:
Ingredients (with the exception of the light rum) from Fotolia.com
Light rum courtesy of Bacardi
Mojito glass from Sur la Table

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