Berry Vodka Mojito

Because it's National Honey month, because it's Friday, and because it's still hot as heck at the end of September, I've got your weekend cocktail all ready.

When I'm heading out for some weekend fun, I'm really in love with all of the cool cocktails they have just about everywhere.  The complexity that goes into them is really just mind boggling at times.  Simple syrups, liquors that I've never heard of, creative combinations, frothy egg whites, the list goes on.

But when I'm being my own bartender, I just want simple and good! And often, simply and good makes the best cocktail.  But ingredients do matter when you're letting the alcohol shine through.  So start with a good vodka.  My go-to choices for this vodka mojito are Belvedere or Tito's, but feel free to use your favorite.

I'm not a fan of sweet drinks, and I also like to maximize my alcohol input whenever possible to get the most bang for the calorie consumption :).  So this mojito is sweetened with KAS Krupnikas.  It's a spiced honey liqueur that adds a delicious sweetness and subtle spice note to the cocktail.  If you can't find that, another honey or sweet liqueur will work, or just use a little honey instead.

So Happy Friday.  Here's to the weekend!

2 sprigs mint
1 half lime, cut into 2 or 3 wedges
1/4 cup assorted berries
2 ounces vodka
1 ounce KAS Krupnikas (spiced honey liqueur)
2 ounces club soda

Muddle mint, lime and berries in a glass.  Add vodka and Kas and stir.  Fill glass with ice and add club soda.  Garnish with fresh mint, lime and berries.

Cheers!

If you are a fan of muddled fruit drinks, it's worth investing in a good muddler.  The pictured muddler is a stainless muddler by OXO and makes easy work of muddling.  Wooden ones also work well, and in a pinch a wooden spoon does the trick.