You already know about Norm’s Farms, a family-run North Carolina company that makes small batch jams, jellies, preserves and wellness products. Not only are the jams, jellies and preserves delicious as spreads, in an elderberry ginger pecan parfait a or in a blueberry elderberry tart, but they’re fabulous as a mixer for your favorite cocktail.
In the spirit of the warm weather approaching, we’ve been all about margaritas and mojitos these days. Mojitos are light and refreshing cocktails that generally consist of white rum, sugar, lime, sparkling water or seltzer and mint. It’s combination of sweetness, citrus and mint make it perfect for sipping on summer days. Want to up the ante? Add your favorite flavor. And our current flavor du jour is elderberry, which has plenty of health benefits for guilt appeasement when you’re indulging in a tasty cocktail or five. Elderberry is packed with Vitamins A, B and C , iron, potassium, and the powerful antioxidants known as anthocyanins.
There’s probably nothing I like less than a super sweet, artificial tasting cocktail that instead of a buzz, leaves a chemical aftertaste. If you sweeten your favorite beverage with wholesome, small batch jam instead of an artificial sweetener, your days of beverage related despair are long over. Though this recipe does include simple syrup, you can leave it out or use half the amount if you prefer a drier or more fruit-forward beverage.
- 3-4 mint leaves
- 1 ounce lime juice
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 2 ounces white rum
- 1 heaping spoonful Elderberry Jam
- Club soda
- Ice
- Additional mint sprigs, for garnish
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle the mint leaves. Add the lemon juice, simple syrup, vodka, jam and some ice. Put the lid onto the shaker and shake to distribute the jam.
- Add some ice to a jam or mason jar and strain in the cocktail. Discard solids in the shaker. Top off with a splash of club soda. If you like a sweeter cocktail, add more jam and stir well. Garnish and serve.
1 Comment
Kelsey
May 6, 2015 at 10:11 pmYum- mojitos are one of my favorite summer drinks!