Beware of the Mint

Sounds like the beginning of some bad B mystery movie, doesn't it.  Well, I mean it. 

One of the hopes of my blog is that others can learn from my mistakes in gardening.  And here is one big one.  Do not plant mint directly into your garden.  I did this a few years ago, and have paid the price.  I did not do my homework before I planted or I would have known not to do this.

I spent over an hour this afternoon working on my herb garden pulling up mint and only made a dent into it.  I am estimating I have another 6 to 7 hours of work to go before the herb garden is ready for planting.  I also saw signs where the mint was working into the lawn (Yikes! - Bill will kill me if it goes into his lawn..)  It is a very invasive plant!

The only good thing is that I have all the making for mojitos on hand...lol.

Basic/Classic Mojito
1/2 ounce lime juice - freshly squeezed is best
1 teaspoon superfine sugar (I pulsed white sugar in my food processor)
5 mint leaves, plus 1 sprig for garnish
Crushed ice
2 ounces white rum
1 ounce club soda

Put the lime juice and sugar in a highball or other glass.  Stir until the sugar is dissolved.  Add the mint leaves and crush or muddle them against the glass with the back of a spoon or a meddler (I found a meddler in a little kitchen store for a reasonable price).  Fill the glass with crushed ice.  Add the rum and club soda, and stir gently. 

Garnish with a mint sprig.

This makes one serving - for a pitcher - quadruple the amounts.  Doesn't this sound wonderful to go with this lovely warm weather we have been having?