We’ve been having a bit of an early-May heatwave. The last several days have been unseasonably hot and uncomfortable. The fans are running 24/7 and the ice cube trays are doing double-duty. Compared to our usual May weather of mild sunshine interspersed with rain this is practically summer.
Since we’ve also been stuck at home for the last several weeks, I have taken my home barista creations to a new level, partly to keep entertained and also to keep my morning compulsive multiple-times-per-day caffeine ritual interesting. So instead of my usual cup of plain tea or coffee, I’ve been trying to spice up my daily drink(s) with something a bit more interesting. And, given the weather as of late, something equally refreshing.
Enter the matcha mojito!
Since it’s only Monday as I write this, and barely noon when I made this drink earlier today, I had it without liquor. But I know that it would be delicious, sipped on a sunny patio, mid/late-afternoon, with a couple shots of rum or gin added.
And, yes, I know that a mojito is typically made with rum, but I’m just more of a gin girl!
To make one* delicious and refreshing matcha mojito tea cocktail you will need:
1 ½ tsp matcha powder
2 Tbsp boiled water
2 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp lime juice
10 mint leaves (or more, depending on how minty you like it, I love fresh mint)
1 wedge of lime
6 oz unsweetened soda water**
Extra lime wedge and mint to garnish
- In a small bowl, whisk matcha and sugar in hot water to dissolve.
- Add lime juice, mint, and lime wedge and muddle well.
- Fill a 16oz glass with ice, pour the matcha mojito mixture over the ice (strain it, or don’t), and top off with soda water.
- Give it a quick stir to combine and garnish with extra mint and a lime wedge.
- Yum.
If you’re in need of a 5 o’clock beverage, replace step 2 above with the following;
- Add 2oz rum or gin, the matcha mixture, and the lime juice, lime wedge, and mint to a cocktail shaker and muddle well.
- Add about 1 cup of ice and shake until contents are chilled and the ice is mostly melted.
* This drink would work really well as a pitcher drink to share on a patio with friends. Simply scale it up appropriately to fit the size of your pitcher and add the soda water just before serving so it doesn’t go flat.
** If you use a sweetened sparkling water or tonic water, only use half the sugar.
I hope you enjoy this refreshing drink.
Cheers!