Make yours a mojito in Calgary
Summertime, and the living is easy… especially when you’re situated on a west-facing patio with a cool mojito in your hand. Traditionally, the classic mojito consists of only five ingredients: white rum, sugar, lime juice, sparkling water and mint, but the Calgary cocktail scene has never been one to keep to tradition. Here are some of Calgary’s best twists on this classic Cuban cocktail. Image credit: iStock.com/id-art.
Ox Bar De Tapas
528 17 Ave SW, Calgary AB T2S 0B1This quaint Spanish-tapas-style restaurant on the 17th Avenue Southwest strip is also quite well known for its extensive cocktail list and pitchers of sangria. Its critically acclaimed el mojito features a spin on the classic recipe, featuring an extra bit of Spanish “passion” in the form of passion fruit and a splash of Sailor Jerry’s spiced rum, mint, brown sugar and muddled lime.
Earls
2401 4 St SW, Calgary AB T2S 1X5Earl’s Tin Palace in Mission features a patio that’s perfect for those really hot days when you just want to people watch and drink mojitos. Each mojito here is crafted with Appleton Estate white rum, mint, fresh lime and soda with your choice of the three flavours: raspberry, lime or cucumber. If you’re with a group of friends, you can order mojito pitchers in two sizes; big spoon (serves four) and little spoon (serves two). Plus, if you patio hop on a sunny Sunday, pitchers are specially priced.
Chop Steakhouse & Bar
33 Hopewell Way NE, Calgary AB T3J 4V7With two locations in Calgary, Chop Steakhouse and Bar is everything that you expect in a steakhouse: large portions, meaty entrees and a large wine list. What you don’t expect is to find a quirky and imaginative cocktail selection that includes a fresh and floral French mojito crafted with white rum, fresh mint, lime, elderflower and soda. Chop Steakhouse and Bar also offers separate menus for gluten-free customers and mild-allergen menus for sensitive diners.
Laurier Restaurants Inc
1111 7 St SW, Calgary AB T2R 1A1Laurier Lounge is a casual French Canadian restaurant that offers a menu celebrating Canada’s mixed French-English heritage. Situated in a heritage home that once belonged to the man who designed the Canadian flag, this restaurant is the best spot (outside of Québec) to enjoy delicious poutine in several styles and the ultimate Calgary destination for the Swiss favourite, fondue. This Canadiana translates well to the cocktail list, where even the mojito incorporates Canuck blueberries.
Cleaver
Head to Cleaver on 17th Avenue Southwest and order the house mojito – the Culture Shock, featuring rum, mint, lime and raspberries – and settle in for a read of the highly entertaining menu. A delicious recommended pairing with this top-notch drink is the slider trio.
500 Cucina
1003 9 Avenue SE, Calgary AB T2G 0S6The sunny west-facing patio of this Inglewood Italian restaurant is the place to be during the late afternoon and evening. We suggest ordering one of the amazing pizzas and sipping on an elderflower mojito featuring St. Germain liqueur and Bacardi rum, muddled mint and lime juice topped with soda and fresh mint.
Original Joe's
7403 Macleod Trail SW, Calgary AB T2H 0L8With multiple locations across the city, popping into Original Joe’s is the easiest way to get your summer patio fix. This neighbourhood gastropub serves a cucumber-gin mojito. A fresh spin on the classic, it’s made with Beefeater gin rather than the usual white rum. Its combination of cucumber, mint and soda make this mojito a perfect summer sip.
Los Chillitos Taco & Tequila House
1309 17 Ave Sw, Calgary AB T2T 0C4Sure, there are many interesting spins on the traditional mojito, but sometimes a classic is a classic for a reason. Visit this 17th Avenue Southwest restaurant to enjoy the ultimate classic mojito. Weather permitting, get the full patio experience: sun, salsa music, cool drinks, great tacos and people watching.
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