The Mojito (pronounced: moe-hee-toe) is a classic Cuban cocktail most closely tied to Cuba’s famous La Bodeguita del Medio bar.

This drink is extremely refreshing and is a great cocktail to order on a hot summer day or when hitting the dance floor. The basic drink is remotely similar to limeade, but that’s where the comparisons stop.

The first noticeable addition is mint. This provides a refreshing spark to the drink. The use of mint provides a cooling sensation on the tongue and lips when drinking, this is part of what makes it an exceptionally refreshing drink. Secondly, the rum gives the drink a little kick and balances out the drink. The limes provide the thirst quenching sourness that so many people crave in the heat.

If possible, use key limes (Mexican limes) for this drink as they provide a crisp flavour. Also a good white rum, like Havana Club  will give the drink a more authentic flavour, but any white rum will do. Using simple syrup is will help make your mojito’s better, since granular sugar doesn’t dissolve to well in cold liquids. Gritty mojito’s aren’t very appetizing.

Here is a step by step direction on how to make it

Step 1: Place the mint leaves into a tall cocktail glass.

Step 2: Squeeze about 2 ounces of juice from a cut lime into the glass.

Step 3: Add the powdered sugar.

Step 4: Then, gently mash the ingredients together with the back of a spoon.

Step 5: Add crushed ice and 2 ounces white rum then stir.

Step 6: Top off with 2 ounces club soda and voila! you have an authentic Cuban mojito.

When preparing your Mojito, gently muddle the mint leaves with the simple syrup and lime juice.  Some recipes call for bitters, but a genuine Cuban mojito does not contain bitters.

Since the Mojito has gained more popularity, people have been creating unique and tasty variations. To keep this drink fresh try adding Perrier, lime flavoured Perrier or champagne in place of the club soda. You can also add berry puree, such as raspberry or mango. Or check out the Centaur which is a cognac and ginger ale cocktail based on the Mojito.

Wax statues of Castro and Che

We lost count. The Artists, Writers, Musicians, Film makers of U S are rallying for the cause of Cuba. We could not keep the count. We are placing the letter the intelligentia of America has written to Mr. Bush. We could only give few names. for entire list visit CUBA RESEARCH.

Yes, You can also join them. Sign the letter and shoot it to white house. click Cuba Research

Letter from US Artists and Scholars in support of Cultural Relations with Cuba

November 27, 2007

President George W. Bush

The White House

Washington, DC

Dear President Bush:

We wish to bring to your attention the accompanying letter, dated October 26, 2007, received from Alicia Alonso, Prima Ballerina and Director of the Cuban National Ballet, and also Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Ms. Alonso has toured extensively in the United States and her work has long been admired by the American performing arts community, cultural critics and the public.

We are writing you as representatives of the cultural sphere in the United States. We write you as American citizens. We write to express our dismay at your administration’s continuing hostility towards Cuba. We write to express our opposition to policies that keep us divided from our Cuban counterparts, preventing cultural interchange between our two countries. We believe the time has come to move towards cooperation and constructive relations with Cuba.

The present policies deny such possibilities of friendship and cultural sharing. We further note that cultural interchanges and relationships are also modes of communication and expression. In denying us the possibility of engaging in such exchanges and relationships, we are being denied our fundamental rights as guaranteed by the 1st, 5th and 14th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.

This reality seems to run counter to other positions expressed by your Administration. In September 2006, for example, Laura Bush inaugurated your Administration’s “Global Cultural Initiative,” stating that “One of the best ways we can deepen our friendships with the people of all countries is for us to better understand each other’s culture by enjoying each other’s literature, music, films and visual arts.”

As citizens, artists, scholars, educators and cultural workers from all artistic practices, academic disciplines, advocacy and service organizations in the arts, we hope you will read and consider the words of Alicia Alonso as we call upon your Administration to:

1. open a respectful dialogue with the government and people of Cuba in accord with established protocols supported by the community of nations;

2. end the travel ban that prevents U.S. citizens from visiting Cuba and allow for Cuban artists and scholars to visit the United States, thus eliminating the censorship of art and ideas, and

3. initiate, by working with appropriate members of Congress, a process that can result in the development of normal bilateral relations between our countries.

Sincerely,

Mavis Anderson, Latin America Working Group
Harry Belafonte
Bev Bickel, Professor
Beth Boone, Artistic & Executive Director, Miami Light Project
Jimmy Bosch, Musician/CEO JRGR Records
Peter G. Bourne, M.D., Chairman of the Board, Medical Education Cooperation with Cuba
Joe Boyd, Record Producer & Writer
Bill Bragin, Director, Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater*
Jackson Browne, Musician
Vinie Burrows, Actor & Activist
Regina Cervantes, Cast of SiCKO*
Wilma Colon, Arts Administrator, Puerto Rico Music Conservatory*
Ry Cooder, Musician & Producer
Tré Cool, Musician, Green Day*
Chembo Corniel, Musician/Producer/Teacher, Chemboro Records, Inc.
Peter Coyote

“I will not vote for any candidate who is not committed to dismantling Guantanamo Bay and replacing it with a free field hospital for poor cubans”

-Thomas Friedman

Planning to visit Cuba?

-then here we have a unique place for You-Guardalavaca.

Before planning your tour we recommend to visit www.thecubaexperience.co.uk

This site describes Cuba in a better way and gives tips to tour the country on shoe string budget. The following write up gives us a glimpse about the approach of the thecubanexperience.co.uk

Guardalavaca-The name means Watch the Cow and possibly has something to do with the fact that during the 18th century, Buccaneers traded cattle and foodstuff with Creole traders reluctant to obey strict Spanish colonial trading regulations. It is said the beach was used for these shipping.

Guardalavaca is the ideal destination for Cuba holidays . The best way to start twin centre holidays in Cuba. The self-contained beach resort consists of five hotels and limited infrastructure covering 1,8 Km. of oceanfront.

The main beach runs westward from Hotel Atlantico and extends 800 Mts. The width of the beach fluctuates in between 60 and 100 Mts. Bay grapes, mahogany, almond and Flame tree naturally shelter a great area of this beach. Visitors will find the vegetation very convenient to protect themselves against excessive sunray exposure. The beach area is serviced by small thatched roof restaurant and bars, water sport facilities and at the very west of the beach, a re-known diving center.

Eastward from the mentioned hotel, small cove beaches are to be found, these are separated by coral outcrops till the beach that faces hotel Las Brisas which measures 400 mts till the inlet to the western side of the building. There a small water sport base is catering the tourists lodged at the hotel. Past the inlet, comes another rocky area till Los Cayuelos beach restaurant which faces another excellent beach extending eastward some 700 Mts., till the rocky coral key marking the end of the resort.

The Cuba Experience is an independent ground handling agent, especialized in organizing your Cuba holidays and dedicated to provide quality service in order to make the utmost of your holidays in Cuba

Guardalavaca is one of the finest resort areas with terrific diving, paragliding and a smattering of local native history.- Lonely Planet