HoneyJito, just in time for St. Patty's Day!

Here's my Caribbean take on green beer and Irish whiskey, a Honey Mojito or what I call a HoneyJito.

I was a bartender in DC and Miami years ago, and creating cocktails continues to be one of my favorite pastimes. Combing this quintessentially classic cocktail (I'm Cubana, mojitos are in my blood) with my new found passion for bees made perfect sense!

George and I made a few of these over the weekend to test the recipe. The pictures are courtesy of the weekend's taste test (the linens featured are from my collection of handprinted hemp linens). Although it can be made with light rum, I think the best version is made with dark rum. The dark rum adds a little extra something, and when combined with honey, the drink turns a rich amber color that looks beautiful against vibrant green mint leaves.

CC's HoneyJito's

1/2 lime cut into wedges

1 Tbsp Honey

5-6 Yerba Buena or Mint Leaves (I used local mint from Josephine's Farm)

1 or 2 shots of Rum (I used local Cruzan Dark Rum)

1/2 cup Club Soda

Ice

In a cocktail glass muddle the lime wedges, honey and mint leaves until the lime's juice and honey are combined and the mint leaves are slightly bruised. Add the rum and fill the glass with ice. Top with club soda. Serve with a straw so that the honey and lime mixture at the bottom of the glass can be enjoyed with every sip or gulp. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

CC