Blackberry Pineapple Mojito (adapted from Scottsdale's Deseo restaurant)

Blackberry Pineapple Mojito

Muddling

Oh boy, was this refreshing and delightful! Perfect after a day in the sun. I normally only have one cocktail, however, this one left me wanting another. I found this recipe in Sunset's Fast & Fresh. Thanks to my friend Cristina Heustis for telling me about the magazine - it's chock full of..well, fast and easy recipes!

I sweetened mine up just a bit, so if you like your mojitos the "normal" way, you may want to ease back on the sugar by a 1/2 tsp or so. Here's how I made it (serves 1):

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  3 organic blackberries
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  3 small chunks fresh pineapple
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  6 fresh mint leaves
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  2 1/2 teaspoons ultrafine sugar (baker's sugar, see Cook's note)
• 
  
  
  
  juice of half a lime
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  1/4 cup light rum (I used Bacardi)
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  1/4 cup club soda

*Muddle blackberries, pineapple, mint leaves, ultrafine sugar and lime juice in bottom of glass. Add rum and stir. Add club soda and ice, garnish with fresh mint sprig and wedge of lime.

*To muddle - use wooden spoon handle or a muddler and mash ingredients together to blend.

Cook's note: If you don't have ultrafine sugar, just make a simple syrup using equal parts sugar and hot water (2 1/2 tsp sugar + 2 1/2 tsp hot water). The hot water will dissolve the sugar.