I spent last weekend in Whistler. Great friends, gorgeous sunshine, ethereal mountain views, fresh salad with greens still warm from the garden, a bbq and a gorgeous backyard patio… It was a summer weekend to remember. I even watched my first ever soccer game! And not just because the bar showing it was air-conditioned. Although that definitely helped.

It was hotter than you would ever imagine it could get in a Canadian mountain ski resort, so we retreated from the village to the lake to cool off with a nice swim. Crystal clear green-blue water, with snow capped Whisler and Blackcomb mountains towering impressively in the backdrop – it was truly breathtaking. And I’m not just talking about the view! To swim in that lake was to have your breath quite literally taken away. The water was so cold that it felt like your lungs were being stabbed with a million knives.

After entertaining ourselves at length watching tough guys try to impress their girlfriends with their bravery only to squeal like girls when their… erm… boys… reached the frigid icy water, we were eventually led to seek out alternate means of refreshment. Enter Mojitos.

Mojitos are simple, fresh, and absolutely delicious. Nothing but mint muddled with sugar and lime, rum and soda water. In a cold glass filled with ice, nothing could be more refreshing after a hot day in the sun. We prettied ours up with a handful of raspberries from the back yard.

Muddling, for those who aren’t familiar, is just fancy bartender speak for smooshing ingredients in the bottom of a glass with a stick (a muddler) to release the juice and flavours. The wrong end of a wooden spoon does the job just fine.

I didn’t use a recipe, I just eyeballed the ingredients. Although they were delicious, eyeballing rum runs the risk of turning a party rowdier than intended. Or in our case, the opposite happened. After two each, it was nap-time. I blame the hot sun. But maybe you should use a recipe, just in case.

Mojitos

These are approximate amounts for 1 serving. You can adjust the strength and the level of sweetness to taste. Multiply it out to make a big batch.

• 1/4 cup packed mint leaves
• 1.5 tbsp sugar
• 2 oz rum
• 1/4 lime, cut in wedges, then cut in half crosswise
• 1/2 cup club soda
• ice
• raspberries (for garnish, optional)

Muddle the mint leaves and lime with the sugar in the bottom of a glass until the sugar is fairly dissolved. Stir in rum. Fill glass with ice cubes, and top with club soda. Toss in a few raspberries, if desired. Cheers!