Mojito Heroes

At this point the mojito trend has made it even to the most distant outposts of society. Not quite trendy in the city anymore, but still popular, every restaurant around is trying to reinvent the cocktail with their own unique twist. Even mango and raspberry mojitos now border on passé, but if you're a mojito-lover, have no fear -- here are a few new variations on mojito that will surely prevent this drink from going the way of the cosmo:

Kumquat Mojito
(from Food and Wine, June 2008)

Ingredients

20 kumquats ( 1/2 pound), halved lengthwise
1 cup mint leaves
One 10-ounce can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
1 3/4 cups white rum
1 quart club soda
1 large lime, cut into wedges

Directions

In a large pitcher, combine the halved kumquats and mint leaves. Using a large wooden spoon, vigorously muddle the mixture. Pour in the juice concentrate, rum and club soda and squeeze in the lime wedges. Fill the pitcher with ice and serve.

Kumquats can be found in the specialty fruits section of most grocery stores, and they are eaten whole -- no peeling necessary. They're delicious on their own, and make beautiful cocktail garnishes as well!

Cherry Mojitos
(Martha Stewart Living, May 2007)

This recipe features vodka, rather than the usual rum.

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups fresh lime juice (about 9 limes)
3 pounds dark cherries, such as Bing, pitted (a cherry pitter isn't necessary, but it makes the process a lot more pleasant!)
1/4 cups black cherry vodka (like Effen Cherry vodka)
1 (750 ml) bottle sparkling water

Directions

Bring sugar and 1 1/4 cups water to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat; let cool completely. (Makes about 2 cups syrup.) Syrup can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 1 month.

Put lime juice into a medium bowl. Halve 2/3 of the cherries; add all cherries to lime juice. Stir in syrup. Refrigerate at least 1 hour (up to overnight). Stir cherry mixture and vodka in a large serving bowl. Fill 12 glasses with ice. Spoon 1/2 cup cherry-vodka mixture into each glass. Top with sparkling water; serve immediately.

Do you have another favorite mojito ingredient? I've tasted watermelon, coconut, green tea and blackberry mojitos and they're all delicious. Pretty much any fruit will work, so try making up your own mojito and please let me know how it turns out!