Green Tea Mojito

I was fascinated by this cocktail that was offered to me by a very friendly and knowledgeable bartender at Osha Thai at Embarcadero I in San Francisco. She was from Thailand, knew her cocktails and could spot someone who needed a drink to start the weekend. It was while I was awaiting my dinner partners at the bar that she inquired if I have tried a diversion from the original mojito concoction. You see, I ordered to try their mojito but she offered this alternative. Before I knew it, I had three of these. Its a very simple recipe with the addition of something that I learned about - Green Tea Liquor. The only one I found is the Zen Green Tea Liquor by Suntory – the famous Japanese Whiskey company. Beverages and More in the United States offers them at their stores. If you are from other places in the world a good alternative is to brew some strong green tea (sans the brown rice) and use about 1/2 cup of the liquid. If you use the green tea, add a bit more sugar to offset the bitter taste of the brew. There are powdered instant green tea drinks that are available in some Asian stores. The ones I buy can be found in Korean grocery stores - these are in sachets that are already sweetened. Just add enough water to make ¼ cup. This for me is the best alternative to the Zen Green Tea Liquor. But if you really want to have the full flavor (and buzz :)) use the liquor
Ingredients
juice of half a lime
6 large mint leaves
Suntory's Zen Green Tea Liquor– 2 oz
Bacardi white rum – 1.5 oz
Sugar (optional) 1 tsp
Club Soda
Instructions
Pour the lime juice into a highball glass. Add the mint and crush with a spoon. Fill a glass with ice and add the tea liquor and rum. Stir well and garnish with a mint leaf, if desired. I prefer using a bit of sugar to the cocktail, my preference is palm sugar. Add club soda to fill glass - Enjoy!