Omnivore - Where to celebrate National Mojito Day in the A

Pssst....It’s today!

By Unknown Author Monday July 11, 2016 01:02 PM EDT

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The iconic mojito is a near-perfect summer drink. The traditional Cuban highball keeps sultry nights cool with its blend of white rum, sugar, lime juice, sparkling water, and mint. The original Cuban recipe is a play on Cuba’s love for sugar, with spearmint or yerba Buena. In this country, we commemorate the drink with National Mojito Day on July 11. (That’s today!) Here are three Atlanta restaurants were you can celebrate mojitos today and beyond!

Most Flavorful: Bacardi Mojito at Eclipse di Luna
Eclipse di Luna’s mojitos are the definition of fresh. With a focus on fresh ingredients, Eclipse di Luna offers other flavors to compliment the lime and mint mojito including coconut, raspberry, torched cherry, peach red, strawberry, pineapple, passionfruit and mango. In season strawberries add sweetness and a limeade slush as the flavors fuse, while the coconut mojito offers the cleanest take on a mint piña colada. Entertainment at Eclipse di Luna includes live music as well as showman Scottie Mojito behind the bar. The self- proclaimed mojito master puts on a show, tossing, shaking and pouring with flair.

? Pair a mojito with Macarrones con Queso, a roasted butternut squash mac and cheese tapa served Catalan style for $6.50. This creamy carb goodness gets a bit of crunch with butternut squash bits and bread crumb topping. $8. 764 Miami Circle N.E., Buckhead. 404-846-0449. www.eclipsediluna.com.

Best Mojito-Drinking Atmosphere: Mojito at Coco Cabana
Wetter than water, this authentic Cuban mojito has sharp mint that only gets crisper as flavors muddle with live music and conversation. The mojito is even better with salsa dancing when Coco Cabana offers free salsa dancing lessons on Friday and Saturday nights. $5.50. 4073 LaVista Road. Tucker. 404-919-1246. www.cococabana.com.

Best Mixed Up Mojito: Mojito Loco at Papi’s Cuban and Caribbean Grill
A classic Cuban mojito is never too far out of reach thanks to Atlanta’s favorite Cuban grill in five locations, including Ponce, Kennesaw, Tucker, Stockbridge and Lawrenceville. Papi’s features a traditional mojito with fresh mint, lime juice and Barcardi Silver, but they also mix it up, literally, with their blended Mojito Loco. This mojito made with Don Q rum has a more delicate flavor, and the daiquiri smoothness gives fresh mint to every sip. Zuleima Cruz, manager at the Tucker location, said the drink menu will change mid-July to include Bacardi’s newest rum, Havana Club with a mojito that will reflect the Golden Age of Havana. $7. 216 Ponce de Leon Ave. 404-607-1525, and other metro Atlanta locations. www.papisgrill.com.