Sarah’s Notes: When the mint was taking over the back yard, we had a Mojito making contest to determine the best recipe. This was by far the winner and was also the most labor intensive. I strongly recommend Ten Cane Rum rather than Bacardi in any form. The new reigning favorite, though, was given to me by Dan Maxfield (see elsewhere on this site)
3 c. packed fresh mint
9 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 cup light rum
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
6 cups club soda
6 cups crushed ice
6 lime wedges
Reserve 6 mint leaves for garnish. Place remaining mint leaves in medium bowl. Add sugar and mash with a wooden spoon until mint is aromatic and oils are released. Add rum and lime juice and stir until sugar dissolves. Strain mixture into pitcher. (Can be prepared 2 hours ahead, refrigerate)
Add club soda to pitcher, gently stir. Fill each of 6 glasses with 1c. crushed ice. Pour Mojito over and garnish each glass with 1 mint leaf and 1 lime wedge.