Art of Choke

Another one from RogueBeta, this was invented at Violet Hour in Chicago. It is a beautiful combination of Cynar, Chartreuse, and mint, turning three strong flavors into a cohesive whole.

1 oz White Rum
1 oz Cynar
1/8 oz Lime Juice
+1/4 oz Green Chartreuse
Mint Sprig

Combine all ingredients in a glass and muddle the mint gently. Add ice, stir for 30 seconds and strain into an ice-filled down glass. Garnish with a mint sprig

Leap Frog

Invented by the excellent Jim Meehan at PDT and printed in the New York Times, this drink is refreshing and pleasing to both the sophisticated palate and the newcomer to cocktail pleasure. Definitely one to break out when you have fresh mint on your hands, particularly in the summer.

2 oz Gin
3/4 oz Lemon Juice
1/2 oz Apricot Brandy
3/4 oz Simple syrup
6 Mint leaves
2 dashes Orange bitters

Combine mint and simple syrup in a glass and muddle the mint until it has released its oils. Add the other ingredients and fill the glass with ice. Shake for 10-15 seconds and double strain into a cocktail glass.

Enjoy.

Palmyra

This refreshing cocktail pleases almost every palate, especially those n00bs who have little experience with bitter liqueurs. The recipe comes from No. 9 Park, but I am not sure which bartender.

2 oz Vodka
1 1/3 oz Mint simple syrup
2/3 oz Lime juice

Combine in an ice-filled glass and shake for 10-15 seconds. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with two mint leaves stuck into a lime wedge.

For the mint simple syrup, bring equal parts of sugar and water just to a boil. Add a handful of torn mint leaves and let steep for about 10 minutes before straining.

Enjoy.

Mint Julep

Don't do this.



Do this.



Enjoy.

Mojito

Like the margarita and the martini, the mojito has been the victim of its own success. Thanks to a huge wave of popularity in the early 2000s, the drink has been massacred countless times by poor recipes and/or variations like a mango mojito that most likely use bad artificial flavoring anyway. All this makes it the perfect drink to introduce the proper art of mixology to your friends who don't care to think about such pleasures.

1/2 Lime
8-10 Mint leaves
2 tsp. Granulated Sugar
2 oz White Rum
1 oz Selzer

Combine the limes, sugar, and mint leaves in a glass and muddle until the limes have released their juice and the mint has released its oils. Add ice and the rum and shake for 5-10 seconds. Strain into an ice-filled hi-ball and add the seltzer. Garnish with a mint sprig and serve.

Enjoy.