Part 37: Stories of 'Food' - Drinks to Beat the Heat

Part 37: Tales of Food and Drink – Spirits to Beat the Heat

Perhaps due to global warming, the Japanese summer heat seems to be intensifying year by year. Yet, once the rainy season ends, the scorching sun is the very essence of summer. This time, we explore refreshing drinks to help you get through the hot season.

Compiled by Fuyuki TogawaPhoto by Jamandfix

The Aroma of Rum and the Refreshment of Mint

As someone who loves food and drink, I find immense joy in contemplating the menu over a pre-meal drink. While alcoholic beverages are generally categorized as aperitifs, wines, and digestifs, the sheer variety of choices, depending on the food and the occasion, is part of their allure.

It might be a common choice, but during this season, my preferred palate cleanser after a meal is the "Mojito," a rum-based cocktail generously infused with mint leaves. This drink is visually refreshing and beautiful, embodying the spirit of summer. It's famously known to have been a favorite of Ernest Hemingway.
The basic recipe calls for mint leaves, lime, sugar, rum, soda, and ice, but variations seem to abound from one establishment to another.
Upon sipping, the coolness of the mint and the sweet-tartness of the lime instantly spread, leaving one feeling wonderfully refreshed.

A Wonderful Tool for Enjoying Time

And when enjoying a Mojito, a cocktail with Cuban roots, a cigar is a welcome companion. Of course, in my younger days, I felt a cigar didn't suit my image, so I only began indulging in them in public over the last four or five years.

Cigars are living things that constantly breathe, and their flavor changes with humidity and aging. Therefore, they are meant to be aged for at least a month after purchase, waiting until they reach your preferred condition before smoking. Furthermore, the size of the draw affects the amount of air that enters, making the cigar's flavor lighter or heavier.

My reason for enjoying cigars is that they allow me to relax and spend time in a leisurely manner. As it takes about 40 to 90 minutes to smoke one cigar, I forgo lighting up if I'm short on time.

A cold Mojito and a cigar—a truly blissful combination. However, this usual pairing can sometimes become a bit monotonous. On such occasions, I like to add a twist by opting for a "Mint Julep," a bourbon-based cocktail that also features mint leaves. I know I can be a contrarian...