Drink of the Week: The Brojito Mojito

the Brojito Mojito It’s probably not the focus of your weekend plans, but you might be interested to know that this Sunday is National Rum Day. I wound up getting a few pitches for rum-based cocktails for the day, but the makers of Shellback Silver Rum got to me first with a pretty interesting variation on possibly the most popular of all rum drinks (as well as the usual free bottle in the mail). It’s a pretty good way to show off their light rum, an intriguingly vanilla-forward entry in the very crowded silver rum arena.

The Brojito Mojito differs from the classic Mojito in two ways.First, there’s the addition of a-little-goes-a-long-way anise flavored liqueurs to the mix, and, second, it adds, well, more — more lime juice, more simple syrup, even more mint leaves. In fact, while there’s nothing overtly bro-ish about Shellback’s Mojito variant, it’s definitely a drink that goes big and refuses to go home. The emphasis on excess actually made me think of a key scene from the tough-guy movie classic “Key Largo,” in which bad-guy gangster Edward G. Robinson admits to basically just wanting “more.”

Still, there’s nothing at all nefarious about the Brojito Mojito and it’s probably not fair to compare it to the fascistic criminal from John Huston’s enjoyably overheated film noir. It’s a tasty and fun variation on a drink with a great many variations. If more isn’t always more, it’s often very nice indeed.

The Brojito Mojito

2 ounces Shellback Silver Rum
1 ounce fresh lime juice
1 ounce simple syrup
1/2 ounce absinthe or Herbsaint
2 ounces soda water
10-15 mint leaves

Start with a highball/collins glass and add the mint leaves. I personally get impatient counting out ten to fifteen mint leaves and therefore prefer to think of it variously as either a “bunch” of mint leaves or perhaps a “buttload of mint leaves.” Muddle them very lightly — you don’t want to bring out of the bitterness that over-muddling can result in. A light tap or two will suffice.

Next, add all the liquid ingredients and stir. Then add plenty of ice and stir some more. Prepare for one big mojito.

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I have to admit I’m not in love with the name but, beyond that, this is a pretty decent not-so-little beverage with a nice kick. It’s a bit on the sweet side, but it’s balanced by the addition of  the very strong, somewhat bitter anise flavors of an absinthe, or the somewhat milder variation of Herbsaint (marketed as substitute absinthe, back when absinthe was illegal,). I leaned slightly towards the absinthe simply because, with an entire ounce of simple syrup and a relatively sweet base spirit, the Brojito Mojito is plenty sweet enough and needs as much counterpoint as it can get.

Finally, regular readers might notice that I didn’t include an option for using superfine sugar in place of simple syrup. That’s because — and I have no idea why this should be — the result simply didn’t taste very good. Don’t ask me why. The ways of cocktails, like the ways of men, are mysterious.

  

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Miami Lamborghini: Key Largo Supercar Run Weekend 2011

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“This will be our best run yet!” Brett David announced, and he was right. An impressive collection of the most exotic supercars ever assembled in Miami were idling in front of him. With the support of the Miami Police Department, and with the most remarkable turnout to date, Brent and staff knew the event was a huge success. On October 15th, Lamborghini Miami, the largest and most prestigious Lamborghini dealership in the USA, hosted the Key Largo Supercar Run Weekend. Bullz-Eye was invited to cover the event on a lovely fall day in North Miami Beach. This event was primarily created to support the Ride 2 Revive Foundation.

This charitable foundation, the brain storm of dealership owner Brent David and benefiting terminally ill children with cancer and different diseases, was instantly well received by all in attendance, and the donations poured in that day. This “supercar run” went from the expansive dealership at 14790 N. Biscayne Blvd., N. in Miami Beach to the trendy and contemporary Ocean Reef Yacht Club off of Key Largo. This Yacht basin was the perfect venue for this supercar run destination, and the buffet and cocktail hospitality services upon arrival made for a remarkable day.

This supercar run had an incredible flagship vehicle, and that’s a true understatement. The 2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4, was THE supercar of the event, and piloted by Brett himself. Bullz-Eye previewed the new Aventador earlier this year. As one of the most powerful stock production sport cars in the world ever produced, this car is completely outrageous. 700 hp with a top speed of over 214 mph is just a start for this flat black “stealth bomber” of a Lambo. In the slideshow above and in character is Lambo repair specialist Johnny of JCM performance. The event was Halloween costume optional, and he fit the “Joker” to the T! Look for his upcoming reality show “South Florida Toys” soon on nationwide broadcast.

One of the most impressive features and activities was the departure “event,” when 68 of the most high performance vehicles on earth blasted out of the Miami Lamborghini Dealership south on Biscayne Blvd. Like last year, this Miami artery was fully blocked by the Miami Police Department, and off they went in hazy cloud of burning rubber and brute horsepower displays! Wow! I’ve seen a lot on the road over the years but $30 million worth of sports car rock n roll on the public roads impressed even me!.

Lest you think they went all the way to Key Largo at 165 mph+, this was definitely not the case. It was 163 mph! Sorry, just kidding. The unofficial pace car rate for this entourage to Key Largo was not official publicized, but when you have the City Of Miami Police as your escort, 55 mph was not a mandate! Needless to say, this happy and safe Fun Run allowed exotic car owners of all types an afternoon to enjoy their cars, the open road and all to benefit a great cause - The Ride 2 Revive Foundation!