Friday Shout Out: Mojitos

Such was the theme of this week; two mojito-filled evenings in 48 hours. I don't even know how I managed to handle that!

Mojitos are pretty wonderful cocktail creations - light rum, simple syrup, mint leaves, lime - crush it all up, pour over ice, and just press "Play." You will be transported to a place that's airy, relaxed, and in no way 129 degrees Fahrenheit.

Here's the two I tasted this week:

First, at Banana Cafe in Capitol Hill. Great Cuban food; mojito was mixed well, minus the eight billion mint flakes I had to pick out from my teeth. I prefer the mint slightly muddled, not pulverized into herbal confetti.

Then, on to last evening's taste at Gazuza in Dupont. Fire up the hookah, eat some sushi, and sip on a mojito. Yep, it's like a United Nations of concepts up in there, but the bumpin' tunes and drinks make it entertaining. I only had a sip of my friend's drink, but it tasted kicky and fine. No mint bits to worry about.

I know many of my blog readers are also livin' it up (or at least attempting to ) in warm locales right now... cruise that heat wave with all the grace you can muster, and for God sakes's get you an icy beverage! A mojito, perhaps?

T to the G to the I to the freakin' F, y'all. Hope you make it a great one!