The Old Man and the… Sea Breeze Mojito:

That’s the title Ernest Hemingway really should have given this novel. That’s what I’m going with at least (you should go there with me because it is going to be delicious). This weeks drink was inspired by Mr. Hemingway and his most famous novel. The book, The Old Man and the Sea takes place in Cuba (and was written there too), telling the tale of an aging fisherman struggling with life at sea. When I think of Ernest Hemingway, Cuba, and my own experiences with this culture (I lived in South Florida for 3 years and actually visited the Hemingway House in Key West), I think of a mojito. The mojito is a traditional Cuban highball cocktail made with rum, simple syrup and mint. It’s light and refreshing and goes down quite nicely. By mixing this classic with the notes of the grapefruit and cranberry in a Sea Breeze, this week’s Bon Appeteach “Book Club” cocktail is hitting all the check marks for the perfect summer night drink. Find the full recipe for my Sea Breeze Mojito at the bottom of the page and be sure to read through for my tips and tricks (you know the deal by now).

Sea Breeze Mojito:

• 1/2 oz Lime Juice
• 1 oz Grapefruit Juice (if keto, use grapefruit La Croix instead)
• 1 oz Cranberry Juice (natural…not cocktail)
• 2 oz White Rum
• 4-5 Mint Leaves
• 1/2 oz Simple Syrup (or keto syrup)
• Ice
• Soda Water (or use the grapefruit La Croix)

Not Shaken, Not Stirred:

This cocktail is super simple for the very fact you literally just add each component in levels straight into the glass. I like using a highball glass for this reason and it also gives you a beautiful ombre effect as well. I start by combining the fruit juices with the simple syrup (keto version available in notes below). I add the few mint leaves and use the muddler to awaken the mint oils by slightly twisting it in the glass. Next, I add a nice big handful of crushed ice. I’m super classy and crush mine by hand by placing ice in a plastic bag and smashing the life out of it. Yup. Classsss. Next, add the white rum right over the ice then top with the soda water. If you are low carb and trying to keep the carb count low, make keto simple syrup with your favorite low carb sweetener (equal parts water to equal parts sugar substitute) and replace the grapefruit juice with grapefruit flavored club soda. Eliminating some of the juices helps keep the carbs low! I like to garnish my Sea Breeze Mojito with a mint sprig and a lime. Because I totally can!

Food Pairing:

I lived in South Florida for enough time to get a good feel for Cuban food and culture. I would love to pair a beautiful ceviche with this Sea Breeze Mojito but fresh high quality fish is harder to come by here in Kansas City. I opted to make this Shrimp & Avocado Salad instead. I use wild caught shrimp, tossed them on the grill to really pull out some flavor, then mixed it with these beautifully ripened avocados, onion, jalapeno, peppers, and tomato. Sprinkle in some salt, pepper, and lime juice! You can eat this in lettuce cups or with my Keto Tortilla Recipe made into baked chips! Either way, the drink pairs beautifully for these hot summer days (and nights).

So raise your glass, and cheers to the Old Man and the Sea, to Ernest Hemingway, and to week three of the Bon Appeteach “Book Club”. Find the full recipe for this easy Sea Breeze Mojito below!

Bon Appeteach,

-L

Nutritional Information- Obtained using My Fitness Pal. Please always verify with your own ingredients as brands vary.