Pitcher Cocktail for Your Labor Day Party: Sparkling Cojito — The 10-Minute Happy Hour

I refuse to believe this summer is coming to an end. So for this week's taste of happiness in less than 10 minutes, join me in mixing up the perfect coconut-infused, island-inspired pitcher drink for any Labor Day soiree. A Cojito is a simple spin on the classic Mojito. You probably can guess by it's name that we're going coconut for this week's cocktail. This can be achieved by mixing in coconut milk, coconut liqueurs or simply substituting coconut rum for the traditional white rum called for in a Mojito. Coconut rums fall on the the sweeter side of spirits, and since we're spinning off of the traditional Mojito, this drink has granulated sugar too. The recipe below scales back on the sugar, but if you don't like your drinks to be sweet, feel free to skip the sugar all together. The addition of mint, fresh squeezed lime juice, and my staple in summer cocktails, seltzer for some fizz all make this cocktail refreshing and delicious and the perfect pitcher drink for your weekend. Grab your muddler (or a nice long wooden spoon works too), mix a batch of sparkling Cojitos, put your feet up and celebrate summer with a smash up of Hawaii and the Carribbean all in one glass. Serve alongside some grilled pineapple sprinkled with cayenne pepper for a delicious Labor Day treat your friends and family will thank you for. Sparkling Cojito Cocktail Serves 6 1 bunch fresh mint, keep a few sprigs to the side for garnish 1/2 cup sugar 3 tablespoons water 4 limes juiced 3 cups coconut rum, like Blue Chair Bay 1 liter seltzer water Ice Lime wedges for garnish In a large pitcher, combine the mint, sugar and water, and muddle. Add the lime juice and rum, and stir to combine. Fill the pitcher with ice and add the seltzer. Pour into ice filled glasses and garnish with a sprig of mint and a lime wedge. Recipe Notes If your party includes a wild game of badminton, its a good idea to keep extra seltzer on your bar for guests to top off their Cojitos. This is for partygoers who like their drinks on the lighter side. For a creamier take on this cocktail feel free to add 1 16-ounce can of coconut milk before adding the ice and the seltzer. (Images: Maureen Petrosky) via Recipe | The Kitchn http://feeds.thekitchn.com/~r/thekitchn/recipes/~3/SCVrdKGJjHI/story01.htm

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