New Year's Day Breakfast of Champions...

"A dog's New Year's Resolution: I will not chase that stick unless I actually see it leave his hand!" ~Unknown

So according to my friend Bernd, my skills are better suited to cocktail critiques than breakfast. He could just be right and as it's New Years day and I'm feeling a bit fragile, here's my pick for the perfect New Year's day brunch...

Just have another Mojito...

(they have fruit in them so technically are pretty healthy)
This was taught to me by Alan Gage from Sweet 'n Chilli (sorry if this isn't strictly accurate Al ;0)

Ingredients (for about 6 to 8 people depending how thirsty)
Crushed ice (you need lots!)
1 bottle Bacardi Rum
limes cut into 8ths
Brown Sugar or Gom (professional bartender Sugar Syrup)
1 bottle Soda water
Bunch fresh mint

So, the thing with Mojitos is that they are quite personal so I suggest you make one first and then taste it. I like mine sweet and sour so this is based on my taste.

Line up your glasses. In each one, put 1.5 teaspoons brown sugar. Add 3 to 4 wedges of lime and 4 to 6 mint leaves. Now you need to 'muddle' these together. Translated this means take a Pestle and gently squish the limes and mint into the sugar to get everything to mix together. Don't over do it otherwise you lose the mintiness.

Next, add a handful of crushed ice. Use a spoon to drag the minty tangy goodness from the bottom of the glass through the ice. Then, add Rum. I like a good old free pour but again this is to taste.

Right, now you need to add another handful of crushed ice. Do another draggy motion to get everything to mix and pull through to the top.

Finally, add a dash of Soda, a squeeze of lime and a sprig of mint.

Voila! Easy.

Alternatively you could call Sweet n' Chilli and get them to send a bartender over to make them for you or fly to Cuba. All three work for me...

Happy New year!