Where did all the rum go? Oh yeah. In my face.

Happy post-a-recipe-from-another-blog post lovelies!

So this week I got to thinking... When it comes to food, where does inspiration come from? 

Is it ever possible to be inspired to create something anew?

Or has everything been done (and eaten) before us?

And if that is the case... Is there ever such thing as an original recipe? 

And in such, when - as food bloggers and cooks and food lovers alike - do we begin to plagiarize and/or steal others ideas?

Are we ever really unique? Or are we just thieving gluttons?

In light of this I decided to take a different spin on post-a-recipe-from-another-blog this week. Rather than just take someone else's ideas head on, I blurred it a bit.

Kristina @  Spa Bettie is a fabulous blogger and a terrific lady. She's always coming up with dishes that inspire me as well make my mouth water. She's got a talent for writing interesting posts while taking just gorgeous photographs.... Not to mention the fact that she makes me giddy with giggles.  And if there's one way to my heart it's with humour. And food. Of course. The dame's got both. 

Inspired by her Homemade Bailey's Irish Cream, Bottles in Ice, and Smores Shots in Chocolate Glasses, I decided to take on the world of booze myself. 

I discussed and debated with friends to create a truly collaborative - if not original - beverage. It was sweet yet sour, refreshing yet familiar. And ulimately tasty! And boozy! What else can one ask for to whet one's whistle? 

It was after much experimentation I had to ask, "where did all the rum go?"....and then inevitably answered myself, "oh right. In my face."....oops.

I present you with .... just in time for the warmer weather .... Summer Strawberry Mojitos. 

*Try to find strawberries and mint locally available to you. I received mint in my CSA this past week and still had frozen strawberries from them on hand. If not available, be patient. Summer will arrive and with it the strawberries. And where there's strawberries, oh. OH! There will be mojitos.

Summer Strawberry Mojitos

(printable recipe)

Ingredients:

serves one drink

2-3 Oz White Rum.

10-15 Mint Leaves, depending on size.

2 Frozen Strawberries, thawed (Or sub 2 Fresh if seasonally available to you) + 1 Fresh.

1/2 Oz Organic Cane Sugar Simple Syrup (or sub agave nectar; local honey).

1/2 Can Soda Water (or if you want to get really crazy, ginger beer).

1 Lime for Juice with 1 Thin Round Cut Out.

Ice Cubes.

What to Do:

Place the mint, lime juice, simple syrup, strawberries, and rum in a martini shaker (or mason jar).

Taking a wooden pestle (or a wooden spoon) massage/muddle the mint into the bottom of the container up to 15 turns to release the oils from the mint.

Toss in some ice, cover and shake well to combine. Give it a good 15 seconds or so of hard vertical shaking action.

Pour into a chilled serving glass and top up with soda water or ginger beer.

Garnish with a straw, lime round and the last strawberry.

Drink baby drink.

 

What do you think about creating original dishes? Or being creative in general? Has it all been done before? When are we stepping on other people's toes? 

 

This post is linked up with Whole Foods Wednesday; Cast Party Wednesday; Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways; Full Plate Thursdays; Tastetastic Thursday; Showcase Your Talent; Simple Lives Thursday; The Hearth & Soul Blog Hop; Tasty Tuesdays; Slightly Indulgent Tuesday; Tuesday Talent Show;