Sugar and Mint in my drink?

These kinds of ingredients in drinks are most widely known to be used in a Mojito (pronouncedmōˈhētō) .  This flavorful drink consists of white rum, lime or lemon juice, sugar, mint, ice, and carbonated or soda water.

The Mojito is the national drink of Cuba, which is a refreshing classic originating in Havana during its heyday and is enjoying increasing popularity across the globe in trendy venues. Although, some have said that African slaves who worked in the Cuban sugar cane fields during the 19th century were instrumental in Mojito origins.  Guarapo, the sugar cane juice often used in Mojitos was a popular drink amongst the slaves who helped coin the name of the sweet nectar.

There are several theories behind the origin of the name Mojito, one such theory holds that name relates to mojo, a Cuban seasoning made from lime and used to flavor dishes.  Another theory is that the name Mojito is simply a derivative of mojadito, Spanish for "a little wet", or simply the diminutive of "mojado".  Again all of which are theories! 

There are many ways to enjoy Mojito’s, here’s just one:

1.5 oz BACARDI Rum

12 fresh spearmint leaves

1/2 lime

7 oz club soda

2 tbsp. simple syrup or 4 tsp. sugar

For the smoothest summer cocktails, gently muddle mint leaves and lightly squeeze lime in a cool tall glass. Pour sweet syrup to cover and fill glass with ice. Add the Rum, club soda, and stir your emerging mojito well. Rim the glass with the Rose’s Cocktail Sugar—Mojito Lime Sugar, garnish with a lime wedge and a few sprigs of mint. The best bar recipes then add these essential steps: toast, sip, and enjoy fine mojitos with your friends.

Why is it that people need Beer Salt?

Do you need salt?  Yes……the body needs certain amounts of salt! 

Salt or sodium, is an electrolyte that your body needs. Electrolytes are minerals that dissolve in water and can carry electrical charges.  Pure water does not conduct electricity, but water containing salt does. They are electrically charged so they can carry nutrients into and out of your cells.  They also carry messages along your nerves and help control your heartbeat.

Blah Blah Blah…………….Who cares!  We need salt for taste, its obvious people tolerate different levels of salt.  I’m assuming the use of salt throughout one’s lifetime develops different level of salt tolerance. 

Whatever……………Why Beer Salt?    

Putting salt in beer stems from a few philosophies - all of which seem to have had a purpose at one time or another.

·         An old wives' tale said that putting a sprinkle of salt in your beer would stave off cramping during hard work. Dehydration can cause cramping of the muscles, because of the depletion of minerals in the body. Adding salt to the beer would make the worker thirsty, and thus he would drink more beer to relieve the dehydration.

·         Others add salt to beer for flavor purposes; post-prohibition (1933) beer had turned into somewhat of an ugly being. Breweries had to cut costs and started to use cheaper ingredients like rice and corn, which made for a nearly flavorless beer. These beers are still around, though most people have become accustomed to flavorless beer and so have no need for the salt. Many South and Central American beer drinkers will add salt and sometimes hot sauce and/or lemon, for flavor, or to mask off flavor in beer.

That’s where we come in, Twang Beer Salt has been adding flavor to beer for 25 years now.  The idea was generated with the owner of Twang Partners traveling through Mexico. He was a first-hand witness to a very generic version of how Twang is used and produced today. 

Just like adding salt on watermelon or cantaloupe brings out the sweetness in the fruit, salt cuts down on the bitterness of some beers and brings out flavors in others. 

Twang takes the concept of the “Salt” and the “Lime” and combining the two flavors together to make its own distinct citrus flavor.  Never would I tell you not to add the lime to your beer with Twang, but we if you didn’t have the lime, we’ve got you covered.

Here is what bartenders have heard their patrons say why they use/like beer salt:

1.      I like the way it tastes. (Salt is a natural flavor enhancer)

2.      It makes me thirstier so I can drink more. (Salt increases thirst)

3.      I don’t have to pee as often. (Salt retains fluid)

4.      I don’t belch as much. (Salt removes carbonation)

5.      I can drink more and don’t fill up as fast. (Less carbonation)

6.      My dad/grandpa always drank it this way. (Family tradition)

7.      The guy with the pretty blond is doing it. (My favorite)

Twang Beer Salt, Beer, and Guacamole

If you are attending a Cinco De Mayo party in the next couple of days, you more than likely will be partaking in tortilla chips and guacamole dip.  Guacamole has a rich and colorful history. The avocado-laden treat was invented by the Aztecs and was a prized delicacy of the emperor Montezuma.

Guacamole was prepared with avocados, tomato sauce, green chilies, and sea salt (preferably Twang). The name of the pasty treat became guacamole because of the Spaniards inability to pronounce the Aztec’s “ahuacamolli.”

Aside from morphing the name to Guacamole, the Spanish can also be credited with introducing onions, cilantro, and lime juice to the dipping dish.

Guacamole can be prepared in a variety of ways. The diversity of the avocado family creates a long list of possible Guacamole flavors.

Try your hand at Guacamole with this recipe:

Ingredients: 2 jalapeno chilies, dash of pepper, tortilla chips, 2 ripe large avocados, 1 clove of garlic finely chopped, ½ cup of chopped medium onion, 1 tbsp of lime juice, 1 tbsp of lemon juice, 1 and ½ cups of 2 medium tomatoes, 2 tbsp finely chopped cilantro, and ½ tsp of salt.

1) Remove stems, seeds, and membranes from the chilies and then chop them. Cut the avocados lengthwise in half and remove the pit and peel. Mash the avocados in a bowl with a fork.

2) Stir in the chilies and remaining ingredients except for the chips. Mix well.

3) Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour to blend the flavors and serve with the tortilla chips.

4) Enjoy all that flavorful history rushing in.

Great refreshment for your  Guacamole

1  Extremely Cold Mexican Brew

1 Lime Wedge

1 Twang Lime Beer Salt Bottle

......

Squeeze lime wedge juice inside your beer. Moisten neck of your beer with same lime wedge, then place in beer for added flavor. Add a dash of Twang Lime Beer Salt to the neck. Lick the salt, drink the beer and enjoy.