Open Mic: Shane Hobbs asked if he could contribute a cocktail piece. We said sure. Here’s Shane

<em>Shane Hobbs owns Dalworth Restoration, a DFW fire and water restoration service. If you’ve had a fire or a flood in your home, maybe you know them. Or maybe your teenage son threw a big party while you were out of town last weekend and his friends got a hankering for some brown booze, or maybe when that ran out, they jimmied open the wine cellar. You know kids. They’re messy. They spill. Especially if there’s white carpet around. Maybe now your son wishes he’d set fire to the whole scene so that insurance would cover the restoration, but he didn’t. “Next time– and there’d better not be a next time,” you tell him, “Make mojitos. They’re clear. And tasty.”

Here’s Shane’s mojito recipe. It’s solid. Tested. Bold. And won’t stain. Share it with your son.

I first realized the relaxing effect of an evening cocktail when I was sixteen, and I’ve been experimenting with cocktails ever since. No, I’m not an alcoholic. My father made me a very weak whiskey sour after a long day of work and I’ve kept with the tradition in my adult life; changing the cocktails to match the season and my mood.

To note: I like most of my cocktails dry and I don’t worry about serving drinks in the “proper” glass. I find a traditional old fashioned or highball glass can function fine for most drinks, including the ones below.

Mojito with Gin

I’m usually a stickler for the classics, but I don’t really care for sweet drinks which I think the classic mojito lends itself to the sweet side when made with rum. I find that the gin and mint complement each other better, and they make for a much more refreshing drink.

Ingredients

·       6-10 fresh mint sprigs (emphasis on fresh – mine grows wild around the property). Use spearmint for a milder flavor, peppermint for stronger.

·       2 oz of your favorite gin.

·       1 tablespoon of sugar, or make your own simple syrup if you want a smoother end result.

·       Club soda

·       1.5 oz lime juice – fresh is best but those green bottles from the grocery store can work in a pinch.

·       Ice, preferably crushed but it’s not a big issue.

Directions

Place most of the mint at the bottom of the glass with sugar and half of the lime juice. Muddle until the mint is crushed and aromatic. Fill the glass with ice and the rest of the lime juice, gin, and un-muddled mint sprigs. Stir gently. You can substitute some of the gin with more lime juice or sugar if you want a sweeter drink.

Dry Manhattan

By and large my favorite drink. I find that this classic, turned dry, compliments the evening and changing season with its amber hues and full, yet smooth flavor. This is an easy drink to make with limited ingredients.

Ingredients

·       1.5 oz Bourbon or Rye Whiskey (I prefer Maker’s Mark Whiskey or Jim Beam Rye)

·       ½ oz Dry Vermouth

·       Bitters

·       Ice – I just use it to chill but you can have the drink over the rocks as well.

·       Cherry – bourbon soaked or maraschino to garnish.

Directions

Fill glass with ice, add liquor and dry vermouth. I only add one dash of bitters, but add one or two more if desired. Stir for longer than you think, almost half a minute. Strain into another glass if you don’t want ice. Garnish with a cherry and enjoy.

These are my go to drinks for this season, but there are certainly others I enjoy. I urge you to find your own favorites if mine don’t strike your fancy.

Shane Hobbs is the owner of Dalworth Restoration, a Dallas based fire and water damage restoration company.