Dennis Lee writing for The Takeout:

The mojito is a refreshing cocktail that’s perfect on a hot summer day. Thankfully, it doesn’t take much effort to make. All you need is rum, lime, fresh mint, sugar, and club soda, and within just a few minutes, you have a backyard sipper ready to cool you off. You’re probably wondering if you need some special cocktail equipment to make the best mojitos or other drinks that require fresh mint because not everyone has a muddler lying around.

In politics and public relations, the standard advice is “don’t accept the premise of the question.”

I suggest it’s true in cocktail headlines, too. Two things:

One, if you enjoy making cocktails, you should have a muddler. They’re not essential, but they are useful, especially when making classic cocktails like the Old Fashioned. Pick up a metal one with a rubber head or an unvarnished wooden one. You’ll be happy you did.

Two, and more importantly, don’t muddle your mint. Most people muddling ingredients for cocktails think it means crushing the living daylights out of them.

Please, for the love of mojitos, don’t do this!

Mint is a very delicate plant. The essence of mint is the oil from its leaves. The stems and stalks contain bitter flavors. You don’t want those in your drink.

My preferred way to “open up” and release just the minty goodness is to give the leaves a couple of gentle slaps in your palm, like you’re activating a Clapper.

Drop the newly awakened mint into your glass or cocktail tin and gently, gently mix them in with the other ingredients. Scoop and roll. Scoop and roll.

Your mojitos will taste better.

(Via Paul the Nerd.)