Thursday, May 26, 2011

A drink in need of a name

Lemon Balm on the left,
Bergamot on the right.
Being a rum drinker, but never having had a Mojito, I decided that needed to be remedied. So, I went out looking for recipes. I found that Mojitos require light rum. Michael W. has introduced me to Black Strap Rum, and I now find light rum to be an abomination in the eyes of the Lord. And I didn't think that dark rum and mint would go together too well. So, what do do about that Mojito? Why, substitute ingredients, of course!

For a Mojito, one generally muddles together mint leaves, sugar or simple syrup and lime juice. Then you add light rum, club soda and ice.

I substituted lemon balm or bergamot (yes, like in Earl Grey tea) leaves for the mint, used a simple syrup made with raw sugar and kept the lime juice. Then I added dark rum, tonic and ice.


It's looks like something that came out of the bottom of a cypress swamp, but oooh, it's lovely. The lime juice and quinine in the tonic keep it refreshing, and the bergamot or lemon balm add another nice citrusy layer. Now I just need a name for it. "Swamp Water" misses the mark entirely. Michael W. suggested "Cypress Cooler" or "Noise Suppressor". "Noise Suppressor?", you ask. Two of these and the noise of every day life just sort of fades into the background.

What should I name it?
UPDATED to add: A naming contest!

11 comments:

  1. Alligator Wine

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0axX1etZJA

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  2. Cypress Cooler sounds more like a drink, but Noise Suppressor is more awesome... tough choice.

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  3. Thanks for the link to my Rum review. What you have made would fall into the the classification of "Highball" as is the Mojito. You've made your own version of bitters with the bergemot and lemon balm, your own sour mix with the lime and simple syrup,and tonic and rum is actually pretty popular in the Caribbean. I love it! A well crafted cocktail from scratch, I'll have to try it. As for a name it's not really a cooler, how about Excells at silence.

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  4. Hi Chris,

    Thanks for the education -- I look forward to your critique!

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  5. A new drink should be named after a cool person. Someone absolutely amazing that you want to think of every time that you drink. Someone that really likes rum. Someone an 11 on the 1-10 scale of "Internet Demi Gods".

    I fully expect "North" to be in the name of your drink...

    *laughs at himself*

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  6. Personally I like Swamp Cooler... but I'm weird anyway... :-)

    Now if you like dark rum drinks, try a Dark and Stormy! Gosling's Black Seal and Ginger Beer... 2 ounces dark rum, 3 ounces ginger beer, 1/2 ounce lime juice

    Although I like mine without the lime...

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  7. So I tried it when I got home. A winner in my book not too sweet and quite refreshing. I even made a variant with cointreau/curacao. I'm sure mine wasn't as good because I don't have fresh bergamot or lemon balm. I had to use angostura bitters, but it was still pretty good. I'll try some of my other bitters and see as well. Good job!

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  8. I'm with NFO, I like "Swamp Water."
    "Swamp Cooler"?

    Hmmm, maybe not, WV is "lamer"...

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