While waiting for our departing flight at the San Juan Airport, we spent some time at the Duty Free shop. Thoughts of what to bring back, other than the standard rum, arose.

Typically I enjoy a glass of wine with my dinner several nights a week, but it's summer, I was away, and thoughts of bringing some vacation home with me in the form of a drink arose! Since I enjoy the taste of anise and black licorice, we decided to choose the Anis liquor. My thought was to sip this sweet liquor after a fine meal for a special treat, but I found it a bit too sweet to enjoy more than a couple of sips.

That's when the thought of making a mojito out of it led to the making of the Mariel Mojito. Made with fresh mint picked from the garden and a whole fresh squeezed lime (all that vitamin C made me rationalize the nutritional importance of this drink!), the Mariel was born. The Anis liquor was all the sweetening this mohito needed. Mojitos typically have sugar added. So here's the recipe:
Ingredients:
Juice of one lemon
4-5 fresh mint leaves
1 jigger of Anissette Liquor
1 jigger of Rum
Splash (to taste) of seltzer

Squeeze the juice of the lime (or lemon if you prefer) into a glass.
Tear the mint leaves into small pieces and add to the lime juice. Stir to infuse the flavors and add a jigger (1 1/2 ounces) of anis liquor. Stir again to mix the flavors. Add a jigger of rum and stir again.

If you prefer your drinks cold, put the glass into the freezer for 15 minutes OR add ice. When you are ready to indulge your taste buds, add a splash or two of sparkling water or seltzer. Stir gently to keep the effervescence and sip your Mariel Mojito.

ENJOY! Sip slowly to savor the taste.