Food (cocktail) Adventures: Cherry mojitos

In honor of thirsty Thursday and those of you who couldn't wait to get the weekend started, here's a fabulous recipe by my go-to girl Giada that I first tried out on New Year's Eve at Wrightsville beach, and then subsequently at S's going away party, a spin on the traditional mojito- Cherry mojitos! I cut the sugar in half and added a tidge more alcohol ;) , but other than that the recipe is, by my standards, deliciously untouchable!

Ingredients

• 1 pound bag frozen pitted cherries
• 2 cups crushed ice, plus extra to serve
• 1/2 cup packed fresh mint leaves
• 1/3 cup fresh lime juice (about 3 limes)
• 1 cup citrus flavored rum (Bacardi Limon for My Cup of Te!)
  
• 1 2/3 cups Lime Simple syrup, recipe follows (Use approx half for M.C.T)
  
• Lime wedges and fresh cherries, for garnish

Directions

Place the frozen cherries, crushed ice, mint leaves, lime juice, rum, and simple syrup in a blender. Blend until smooth.

Pour the mixture into chilled glasses and top with crushed ice. Garnish with lime wedges and cherries.

Lime Simple Syrup

• 2 cups sugar
  
• 1 cup water
  
• 3 limes, zested

In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and lime zest over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool for 20 minutes. Strain before using.

Yield: 1 2/3 cups

Cheers lovies!

Rox