The Town Council of picturesque Richland, New Jersey, population 8000, recently voted to formally change its name to Mojito during the month of May, to commemorate the growing popularity of the classic cocktail and bring attention to their farm community. Home to major mint producer, Dalponte Farms, the town is especially grateful to Bacardi, makers of Bacardi Superior rum - the authentic rum used in the creation of this exotic libation that's filled with leaves of the fresh, aromatic, delicious herb they produce.

As the historical tale goes, pirate Richard Drake, a subordinate of the more famous Captain Francis Drake, created the direct ancestor of the Mojito, as we know it today in 1586 in Havana. The libation was originally known as the Draque and made by combining Aguardiente (the crude forerunner of rum), sugar, lime and mint and was served with a wooden spoon embellished with a cock's tale in place of a handle. The recipe for this concoction was altered during the mid 1800s, right around the time Don Facundo Bacardi Masso established the original Bacardi Company, when rum replaced Aguardiente. From the African word "mojo" meaning to place a little spell, the name Mojito was formally adopted. Today, Cuba's oldest cocktail is experiencing a great resurgence in the United States where its popularity is growing by "leaves" and bounds. The mint-flecked Mojito made with Bacardi Superior, is positively exploding onto the club and bar scene.

"The Mojito has truly earned its place in pop culture," says John H. Gomez, Vice President and Group Marketing Director, Bacardi U.S.A. 'The cocktail is definitely the choice for today's trendy celebrities and fashionistas but the phenomenon is much larger than that. We did a recent study among google users and the word mojito out googled the appletini fifteen to one said Gomez.

Today's top bartenders agree. "Mojito Madness has engulfed the country. It is on every menu, everywhere I travel," says Dale DeGroff, master mixologist and author, Craft of the Cocktail.

Mojito, NJ, located in 137 year old Buena Vista Township, originally attracted residents because of its nutrient rich soil. Still in abundance today, the area is lined with farmlands, and is rumored to have put the word "garden" in the Garden State. "Our residents feel that the name change from Richland to Mojito is a fun way to bring recognition to the community," said Mayor Chuck Chiarello "Land development, which is rapidly occurring all around us, is fortunately limited in the Pinelands where Richland, or Mojito, is located. Our commerce comes from the earth and it's a positive thing when our valued farmers can be recognized."

One of the town's most successful "growth" industries is Dalponte Farms, developed 80 years ago when Great Grandfather Dalponte came from Italy to the US. Their farm was first home to chickens and in 1980 was turned into the successful herb farm it is today. "We were looking for a new niche market when my father noticed that many of the cooking shows on television were using fresh herbs in their recipes," said Denny Dalponte. "Since we started producing mint in 1980, the demand has gone off the charts." And instrumental in this growing demand must be the mightily minty Mojito made with Bacardi Superior rum.

• 1 1/2 oz. Bacardi Superior Rum
• Splash Of Club Soda
• 2 Tbsp. Simple Syrup
• 10 Fresh Mint Leaves (for muddling + a sprig to garnish)
• 1 Lime (1/2 for muddling and a wedge to garnish)
• Ice