I Got My Mojo Working (Again)

Sorry I haven't been posting in a while, but you know how it is when you're busy doing other things.  I even started thinking that maybe I'd lost my will to blog, but an afternoon with my Food Blogger Los Angeles friends pumped me up, not to mention filled me up with so much incredibly delicious food.

Losing your way is awful, but finding your way back to something you're passionate about is an important part of living your best vida loca.  Like so many things we all do, consistency and commitment are two of the keys to successful anything - good habits, good work, good karma - pretty much all good things.

So while hanging out on Saturday with other (that must make me one too) bloggers, and joking that my mojo wasn't working, and then everyone made mojito/mojo associations, and because I shared some juicy Key Limes from Melissa's with everyone, and because a refreshing lime-based, mint-infused cocktail or mocktail (with a little twist) could inspire almost anyone to do almost anything, I present this perfect summer beverage to help you get your mojo working to.

Mojo Heat-o
infused syrup:
1/3 cup water

1/3 cup sugar                                                                              
6 or so fresh mint leaves

1" x 1" slice of fresh jalapeno
3-4 oz. white rum
6 more fresh mint leaves
2 key limes
ice
water

To make the infused syrup, over medium heat simmer the water and sugar together until completely blended.  Remove the pan from the heat, add the 6 mint leaves and fresh jalapeno, and let sit at least 30 minutes, but longer is better for more flavor. 

Discard these leaves but put the jalapeno with the syrup into a small pitcher along with the remaining fresh mint leaves.  Using whatever is handy, like both ends of a wooden spoon, muddle or pesto-ize the syrup, jalapeno & leaves for a minute or two.  Add ice (crushed is preferred) and muddle another minute or so.  Add the rum into the pitcher along with the juice of 2 key limes. 
 .
Classic mojitos call for sparkling water but I prefer my water nice and flat so here's where you add your favorite water until your drink is balanced to your taste.  Stir briskly then pour this glorious beverage into a glass or two, garnish with a wedge of lime and sprig of mint if you want to be fancy, take a sip, smile and sigh - that's your mojo working!

YouTube - Muddy Waters - I Got My Mojo Working
	3 min - Nov 19, 2007 - Uploaded by Bluesboy89 - Block all www.youtube.com results Muddy Waters live in 1976, dortmund Germany. His band consists of Muddy on guitar/vocal, Bob Margolin & Luther Johnson on guitar, ... www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuwbKakPRRI