Grilled Pineapple Mojito – Recipe!

Mojitos are a great cocktail, but even more delightful during the summer months when the weather is warm and you are craving a chilled drink.  These specialty cocktails are usually served in tall icy glasses and filled with seasonal fruity flavors that are muddled together with ease.  Since it’s pineapple season, I thought a cocktail with this tropical fruit would hit the spot, and grilling it ahead of time, would add a slight subtle smokiness that changes the game completely.

Grilling fruit is a easy task and can be done in minutes, either on your outside grill, or indoors on a grill pan.  An outside grill probably adds a bit more smokiness, but if you don’t have one, a good grill pan can achieve similar flavors.  Freshly sliced pineapple rubbed in a little oil, sears in a couple of minutes, and creates a look and taste that is reminiscent of summertime.

The muddling occurs in a cocktail shaker with some fresh mint for another note of freshness, and it’s strained over two ice-filled glasses and topped with sparkling water.  This drink is smooth going down, and you’ll surely wish you were on an island somewhere.

Ingredients

6 fresh thick-cut slices of pineapple

5 leaves fresh mint + more for garnish

1/2-1 ounce simple syrup

4 ounces white rum

1 lime cut in half

1 cup sparkling water

vegetable oil for grilling

(Makes 2 Cocktails)

To Prepare:

1. Rub pineapple with oil and heat grill to 375 degree or until hot.  Place pineapple on grates and sear for 3 minutes, flip and repeat on other side.  Remove and let cool.
2. Fill two tall glasses with ice and set aside.  Cut 4 slices of pineapple into chunks.
3. In a cocktail shaker, add chunks of pineapple, mint leaves and simple syrup.  Using a dowel or end of a wooden spoon, muddles mixture together to release juices and oils into each other.
4. Add rum and juice of 1/2 lime and muddle for 1 minute.  Strain cocktail into glasses and fill to top with sparkling water, stir gently.  Place one slice of grilled pineapple into each glass.
5. Top with remaining lime and mint.  Cheers!