Raise a glass to summer reading - by Judith Hudson

Today we’re harvesting mint. 🙂 Let’s just call it that because, of course, we’re not having Mojitos after work on a week night. Oh no. We’re just getting our supplies in order for the weekend.

Mint spreads like a weed so be careful where you plant it, but I love having a patch in my garden. (You can tell it’s mint by the square stems.)

I make iced mint tea all summer from the mix of spearmint and the darker chocolate mint that grows beneath the blueberry bushes in the back yard by pouring boiling water over a stalk of mint, with leaves attached, in a heat proof jug. Very refreshing, it's my go-to drink all summer.

But also refreshing are Mojitos, that wonderful combination of mint and lime and rum. This year, since we are not going out, I decided to do it myself.  I bought some white rum, picked some mint, got out a lime and got started.

Instructions:

Put a spoonful of sugar in a glass, squeeze the juice of a lime wedge into the sugar then drop in the rind. Add half a dozen mint leaves and muddle, or mush around, in the bottom of the glass to release the flavours.

Fill the glass half full of ice, add white rum to your liking and fill the glass with soda water and stir.

Garnish with a lime slice. It looks as refreshing as it tastes. I tried it last night and did tend to get mint leaves in my mouth, which explains the instructions I’ve seen to serve with a straw, or one picture of a Mojito strained and served in a martini glass. Not traditional perhaps but kind of classy nonetheless.

If rum is not on your diet, this drink is equally refreshing if you just leave it out. 😎

So, find yourself a lovely spot outside this weekend, put up your feet and sip a sparkling summer drink while reading a good book. Here are a few good places to start if you're looking for a summer read -

• Starting Over, my Fortune Bay sexy musician-in-trouble story, is 99¢ this week. But don’t wait! You can find it and many other good musician and rock star stories
  

on sale  HERE

• Get a head start on the first Gems box set coming out August 4th.
  
  I can't wait! 14 short beach reads by 14 award-winning and bestselling Gems authors!

  

      Pre-order now.

• And there are still a few days left to enter the monthly Gems Rafflecopter giveaway.
  

Where this month we're celebrating Steamy Days & Steamy Nights.

And don't forget to try my Mojito recipe.What's your favourite summer beverage?

Whatever it is, join me in raising a glass to summer reading. Cheers.