Festive Mojitos from Talia Hunter

Down here in the Southern Hemisphere, we celebrate the holiday season a little differently. We enjoy sunshine rather than snow, and Santa is more likely to be wearing board shorts than fur-lined trousers!

Instead of mulled wine or eggnog, here's my favorite drink for the silly season. I like to call it a Festive Mojito because I garnish it with a strawberry to give it that gorgeous splash of red amongst the green - the colors of Christmas.

So even if it’s freezing cool where you live, why not give this delicious, minty drink a try? It tastes even better than it looks, and it’s sure to be a hit at any holiday potluck no matter the weather.

When I sip a Festive Mojito, it always reminds me of tasting one for the first time at the beautiful Whitsunday Islands, the setting for HER HOT NUMBER. The Whitsundays were where I started writing Blake and Caylee’s story, and the bartender at the resort kept me supplied with Mojitos as I wrote. It certainly made me feel festive!

Festive Mojito Recipe

- A handful of fresh mint leaves

- A fresh lime

- A splash of Bacardi Rum

- A spoonful of sugar (to taste)

- Club soda

- A fresh strawberry

- Ice

Shake the mint, a squeeze of lime juice and a few slices of the lime, sugar, rum, and a little bit of ice together in a cocktail shaker. (Or you can just stir them together, but cocktail shakers are cool, don’t you think?)

Pour into a glass that’s half-full of ice. Top up the glass with soda water.

Garnish with a fresh strawberry and a slice of lime.

Enjoy!