Enjoying the summer!

   My garden is going crazy... my dill is 8 foot tall, my basil is wider than me (I know, it's hard to believe), and my favorite baby, mint, is out of control. I kind of make sure it has all the care it needs, because I use it all the time and I need a lot of it. I use it in savory dishes, I use it in deserts, I eat it by itself... but most of all, I make Mojitos!!! I'm crazy about them, I had all the different variations, all the different flavors...and I love them all. Normally when you think about Mojito, you think about mint, rum, and sugar. Well, today I will show you a different version without all the squeezing, crushing, and without rum! Yeah, it's still a Mojito, it's just Vodka Mojito!!! Here is what you need:

*  1 1/2 cups water
*  1 cup white sugar
*  1/2 cup brown sugar
*  2 handfuls of mint
*  1 cup vodka
*  lime juice (from 3 limes)
*  1 1/2 cup club soda (sparkling water)
*  ice

1. Prepare simple syrup: in a small saucepan combine the sugars, water, and mint leaves. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 1-2 minutes until the sugar dissolves. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool for 20 minutes. Remove the leaves.
2. In a pitcher combine simple syrup, vodka, lime juice, and club soda. Add few slices of lime and few leaves of fresh mint, pour into ice-filled glasses and enjoy!!!

   How simple, but how delicious is it? There is no better flavor than mint... so fresh, so summery, and so aromatic. If you don't have brown sugar you can use regular sugar, but I like the touch of molasses and the color it gives to the drink. Glass of Mojito, a gossip magazine in my hand (or a laptop in Justin's case), a comfortable reclining chair in the back yard, the dog next to us... is that a perfect summer Sunday or what?

Enjoy.
Magda