Habana's 'Original Mojito'

This is Habana restaurant's version of the Mojito from El Floridita in Cuba.

Ingredients:
12 fresh mint leaves
juice of 1 lime
1 ounce simple syrup
ice
3 ounces Rom Matusalem rum, or white rum
2 ounces soda water
sugarcane stick (optional - sugarcane swizzle sticks are available online at http://www.melissas.com, and at some Hispanic grocers)

Muddle the mint leaves in a 14-ounce glass to release the oils. Add the lime juice and simple syrup. Fill the glass with ice and add the rum. Top off with soda water.
Pour into a shaker and close the lid tightly. Shake vigorously. Pour back into the glass, allowing the Mojito to run down the sides of the glass.

Serve garnished with mint leaves and sugarcane.

Serves 1