It’s officially summertime. The 4th of July is right around the corner and that means backyard barbeques, parties with friends, and usually some sort of celebratory beverage. The bright berries in season right now make a fantastic (and affordable) foundation for dozens of mixed drinks.
One of my favorites is the mojito. Lime, mint, rum and a splash of club soda make a refreshing way to cool off during the intense heat of summer. A few bright red cherries lend extra sweetness to the drink and make it a bit more festive.
Making your own drinks at home can save you lots of money in the long run. Mint.com did a survey of their readers to find out how much they spend on food and beverages each month. Their readers spend an average of $32.85 on alcoholic beverages a month. You can easily cut that amount in half if you buy the ingredients yourself. Not only will you save money, but you’ll know exactly what’s going into your drink.
I’m curious about what you think of this video. When we tally up how much we eat out, or spend on specialty coffees, it can really challenge our budget each month.
What foods or drinks do you make at home when trying to whittle down your food budget? Let’s work together this summer toward more Organic, Real Food without spending a fortune.
Serves: Makes 1 mojito
You can easily change this recipe according to your taste. Like it sweeter? Add more honey. More lime? Just add some more. There are no rules here, just make it how you like it.
Adapted from Food Network .
Save RecipeIngredients
- 6 fresh cherries, washed and pitted
- 2 teaspoons light honey (such as clover)
- 4 leaves fresh mint
- Squeeze of fresh lime juice from a wedge of lime
- 2 ounces light rum
- Splash of sparkling water
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Place cherries, honey and mint in a tall glass and mash ingredients together (using a muddler or back of a spoon) until juice from the cherries releases. Add remaining ingredients, mix and serve.
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