The Mojito

[Tomasso]

Originally Posted by whodini

While impossible to find in the states, Havana Club 3 años is the rum of choice..
You can find it in Miami, as you can virtually any of the embargoed Cuban goods.

 

[whodini]

Any of this stuff available for shipping? I could use a few more bottles as long as they're the legit Cuban Havana Club and not that ****** Bacardi-presents Havana Club.

 

[Bandwagonesque]

Is it true that Americans are not allowed to consume Cuban products, even outside of the US? Because Gov. Arnold was in town the other day and picked up some Cuban cigars.

 

[whodini]

Not allowed in US territory, but it happens all the time. I bring Cuban goods from CR every time I fly into LA. Think I've ever been stopped? Hell, I've had friends bring in boxes of cigars and they could care less.

 

[seanchai]

Originally Posted by whodini

Any of this stuff available for shipping? I could use a few more bottles as long as they're the legit Cuban Havana Club and not that ****** Bacardi-presents Havana Club.

I've read that the Bacardi HC is the true original recipe (from the 1930s) and has a "thicker" taste than white rums of today; is it really ******?

Also, I'm heading up to Canada next week and will grab a bottle or two of the Cuban stuff, but it looks like BC only stocks the 7 Años, Añejo Blanco and Añejo Reserva. Which is the best purchase for my money in your opinion?

 

[MCsommerreid]

Originally Posted by seanchai

I've read that the Bacardi HC is the true original recipe (from the 1930s) and has a "thicker" taste than white rums of today; is it really ******?

It is the original recipe, sold to Bacardi by the guy who made it after Cuba nationalized his company. But there's no telling what Bacardi changed in the name of mass production.

 

[whodini]

Originally Posted by seanchai

I've read that the Bacardi HC is the true original recipe (from the 1930s) and has a "thicker" taste than white rums of today; is it really ******? Also, I'm heading up to Canada next week and will grab a bottle or two of the Cuban stuff, but it looks like BC only stocks the 7 Años, Añejo Blanco and Añejo Reserva. Which is the best purchase for my money in your opinion?
Well, are we talking about using the rum just for mojitos or for general purposes? If it's for mojitos (and mojitos only), stick to the Blanco. It'd be waste to dip into the reserva or 7 años, either of which I'd use for rum & cokes or straight.

It is the original recipe, sold to Bacardi by the guy who made it after Cuba nationalized his company. But there's no telling what Bacardi changed in the name of mass production.

This isn't quite the explanation I heard when I was in Havana but similar. Havana Club today uses a different recipe than the Havana Club of old (pre-Castro). It's the older recipe that Bacardi is going to use to sell Havana Club in the US. Actually, there's no telling what Bacardi or the Cuban gov't have changed in the name of mass production.

 

[offline100]

I love mojitos, but leave them in the tropics. I was so annoyed when they were the "it" drink in NYC for about five minutes back in I think 2005. To me this is like going to a bar in Miami and ordering an Irish coffee.

 

[bigbadbuff]

I am going to try this drink for the 1st time this week, and if I like it I'll be making them for a cookout this weekend. I've seen a lot of variations on the type of sugar (some even use brown sugar) as well as the soda used to finish it off.

 

[Tarmac]

Originally Posted by bigbadbuff

I am going to try this drink for the 1st time this week, and if I like it I'll be making them for a cookout this weekend. I've seen a lot of variations on the type of sugar (some even use brown sugar) as well as the soda used to finish it off.

dont worry about the particulars, i've made good mojitos with dark rum, light rum, soda, sparkling mineral water, sprite, etc.

key ingredients are limes, rum, and real mint. everything else is incidental

IMHO

although I would think normal brown sugar would not dissolve too well ( i have never tried it though)

 

[kwiteaboy]

Anyone ever have Cuban goods confiscated from them at the border? What kind of penalties would I be looking at for bringing a bottle of Havana Club back? I read somewhere that it's good to buy some wine and declare all your alcohol as wine, but that was for airport customs rather than border crossing.

 

[whodini]

I've never been stopped either at the Mex/Can border when saying I brought booze with me.

I always bring Cuban goods with me when I fly to the US every 3-4 months. Never been stopped, often not questioned.