A mysterious glowing orange ball has been appearing in the sky lately.  It must be our yearly week of sun in Seattle.  Makes you want to break out the fruity rum drinks, yes?  Hell, watching the laundry go round makes me want to break out the fruity rum drinks.  Let’s get right on that.

Shiso Mojito

2 oz white rum (I like Cruzan)
1 oz lime
.75 oz simple syrup
one sprig shiso leaf / three big leaves
splash of club soda

Throw everything but the soda into a shaker. Add lots of ice. Shake the hell out of it and scare your poor jumpy dog. Pour it all into a Collins glass. Top it with the soda. Offer it to poor jumpy dog with a straw. Say no when he asks for a bully stick garnish.

This is an easy one to do if you have a limited bar.  Yes, you can use the traditional mint.  But where’s the fun in that?  This has a much more subtle and unique flavor.

Shiso is indeed a type of mint.  You usually find it used as a garnish in Japanese cuisine.  Some types of sushi use it.  Hamachi is delicious with shiso and a bit of lime.  It can be a bit hard to find, but a lot of Asian grocery stores have it, like Uwajimaya out here in the Seattle area.  Me?  I’m growing it in the greenhouse this year.  Why?  Hint:  I have no clue how to make sushi properly.

Kanpai!