24 fresh mint leaves
½ cup sugar or to taste
1 cup fresh lime or lemon juice
1 cup white rum
1 cup club soda
Place mint leaves and sugar in a pitcher. Use a muddle stick or the end of a wooden spoon to mash mint into sugar. Add lime juice, rum, club soda, and ice. Stir and serve with citrus slices and sprig of mint.
Virgin Citrus Mojitos by the Pitcher: Substitute club soda for rum.
Roasted Garlic Cloves: Place desired amount of peeled garlic cloves in a baking dish. Add olive oil until cloves are covered. Bake at 375º until garlic cloves are very soft. Cool and store, airtight, in refrigerator up to 4 weeks.
Crouton Wafers:
1 thin baguette (we used pre-sliced French baguette from Central Market's Bakery)
2 tablespoons garlicky olive oil (use olive oil from Roasted Garlic Cloves)
Kosher salt to taste
Use a serrated knife to cut baguette into ¼-inch slices. Place flat on a baking sheet. Brush both sides of bread slices and place on baking sheet. Sprinkle lightly with kosher salt. Bake at 375º until toasted, about 10 minutes.
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