©Kennedy Center for Performing Arts

The evening began with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin at The Kennedy Center. ‘Nough said! Then we made our way to Kafe Leopold where I tried, and fell in love with this Winter Mojito (along with their warm tomato mozzarella tea sandwich). The groundhog insists that we have a few more weeks of winter remaining, so give this a whirl. It is after all M.O.N.D.A.Y…Get your cocktail on!

PtotheS. I think this would be excellent any time of the year, snowy outside or not.

Sorry, not a great pic. Taken with phone in dimly lit wonderful Kafe Leopold!

Drunken Cranberry Syrup:
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 cup cranberries
2 cinnamon sticks
Zest of 1 orange, in large pieces
Combine all in sauce pan.
Bring to boil, stirring, until berries open, about 1 minute.
Drain liquid in to a container.
Discard orange and cinnamon, reserving berries.
Add 1 cup light rum.
Stir and allow to cool.

The Cocktail:
2 t drunken berries
2 t drunken berry liquid
2 lime wedges
8 mint leaves
3 oz dark Rum
2 oz club soda

In cocktail shaker, muddle together berries, berry juice, limes, and mint leaves.
Fill with ice.
Add rum.
Shake vigorously.
Strain into Manhattan glass.
Top with club soda.

Alternatively, fill a cocktail glass with ice.
Strain mixed cocktail into iced glass.
Top with club soda and stir.