Itaewon’s expanding foreign
bar scene has recently incorporated much of the west’s
drinking culture with its own. Several drinking and eating
establishments have added a wide variety of popular western
cocktails to spice up their drink menus with an assortment
of exotic and fashionable selections appealing to all expats
who are looking for something new and inviting to taste.
One popular drink slowly making its way onto many cocktail
menus is the mojito, a drink made popular by one of America’s
most prolific authors- Ernest Hemingway. Hemingway led a romantic
life travelling around the globe and living as an expat in
exotic locales like Paris, Africa and Cuba. Hemingway was
a known conniseur of the drink. (Translation- he was an alcoholic.)
He discovered mojitos in the Bodeguita del Medio, a well-known
drinking den in Havana Cuba. Today, mojitos have become a
deliciously trendy drink with the look of a high-class alcoholic
beverage.
The mojito has recently made its way into the spotlight with
recent cameos in certain Hollywood films such as James Bond:
Die Another Day (2002), Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004),
an episode of Family Guy “Brian the Bachelor”
(2005), and Miami Vice (2006).
The combination of sugar, citrus and mint flavors help to
minimize the strong alcohol taste of the rum, making it a
savory drink, good for all seasons but especially inviting
during the summer.
This drink is a growing sensation in multiple countries and
is slowly gaining a positive reputation in foreign friendly
taverns situated in Itaewon.
Two friends and myself decided to forgo our normal weekend
of drunken debauchery and embark on a swanky taste test of
mojitos within the few Itaewon bars which serve the delectable
drink.
We began our quest for the perfect mojito at Wolfs Hound,
a friendly and enjoyable saloon located in central Itaewon
where the beverage was splashed with ginger ale as a substitute
an important ingredient, club soda. This may have been a modification
to the original recipe, but it was in no way an improvement
to the original.
Our second stop was at a trendy and upscale establishment
situated in a small alley, sitting around the corner from
Helios. The Embassy was filled with friendly staff, happy
to fill our drink orders but less able to make us smile with
contempt from having an outstanding cocktail.
The mojitos were made with the authenticity of the original
recipe but served with little drink and too much ice. The
mint was fresh, adding the ever important flavor, but the
beverage lacked the necessary amount of alcohol that would
make Hemingway proud to call it a mojito.
The third and final stop of our journey ended at the Mexican
bar and restaurant, Panchos,
a popular hang-out for many foreigners. Previous mojitos at
Panchos have been nothing but outstanding, so our expectations
before ordering our drinks were high. Unfortunately, this
time was a disappointment, as the drink was not comparable
with Panchos’ previous mojitos. The drinks were served
in proper drinking glasses and with fresh mint and a good
amount of ice, but the ingredients were not equally distributed
for the drink to be considered a great mojito.
All in all, the best tasting mojito for the night was awarded
to Panchos, with The Embassy bar following a close second,
although there were no perfect mojitos on this search.
Here is a short list of places in Itaewon to visit for ordering
a mojito, with prices and some personal comments about the
bars’ own version of the drink. Please be aware that
prices may not be exact. (Taste testing of alcohol can lead
to complications when trying to remember specific information.)
The Wolfshound 6,500 Won. This mojito did
not follow the traditional recipe. It contained ingredients
that would make Hemingway turn over in his grave.
The Embassy 8.000 Won + tax A lavish interior
and great bar staff but the short glass had much more ice
than drink (particularly alcohol). Not worth the price paid.
Panchos restaurant 7,000 Won generally a
great place to go, but this depends on who is making the drink
Geckos Garden 7,000 Won A bit on the watery
side, but it is the only establishment in Itaewon with an
outside eating area.
For all of you who have been unsatisfied with their Itaewon
mojitos, here is a recipe you will enjoy, from the www.about.com
web site. Most, if not all, ingredients can be found at the
Hannam market.
INGREDIENTS:
A collins (or highball) glass
A muddler (or spoon)
Crushed ice
2 oz fresh lime juice
4-12 mint leaves with stems
2 oz white rum (preferably at least 3 years old)
2 oz club soda
1 tsp powdered sugar (plain sugar will suffice)
1 spring of mint
PREPARATION:
1. Put the mint leaves and the sugar in the bottom of the
collins glass. Use the muddler (or the back of the spoon,
if you don't have a muddler), to slightly crush the mint leaves.
It should take about half a minute for the smell of mint to
reach you.
2. Add the rum and the lime juice. Mix again using either
the muddler or the spoon.
3. Fill the glass with crushed ice.
4. Stir in the club soda.
5. Use the spring of mint as garnish.
Film credits from http: www.wikipedia.org
Recipe from http: www.about.com
Photo caption: taken of a waitress and the author in Panchos
bar and restaurant. The waitress is serving the patron a mojito.
FINDING
THE PERFECT MOJITO