Mojito Mix

It's sugar cane and rum that put the mmmm in Cuba's mojito, but if you really want to experience the intoxicating island breeze of Caribbean culture, you're also gonna need some mmmmmusic. Fortunately, we have about a half-century's worth to choose from, and there's no better way to start than with Rumba King (and former Charo spouse) Xavier Cugat, whipping his Waldorf-Astoria Orchestra into a lather of Latin lustiness in "Babalu." Rocker Ry Cooder rekindles our love affair with all things Cubano by re-creating the glory days of Havana's high-rollin' history in the sultry shake of the Buena Vista Social Club's "De Camino a la Vereda." And you've gotta hear how Buena Vista alum Ibrahim Ferrer literally transforms his voice into a siren in the siren song of "Ay, Candela."

In Next Steps, we go to East L.A., even farther east (to Cuba), and way south of the border in search of audio refreshment.

Of course, el ritmo tropical knows no borders, neither national nor musical. That's why we're heading to East Los Angeles, where local heroes Ozomatli chill in the crib with their laid-back, sun-soaked groove in "After Party." Meanwhile, Sergio Mendes travels south of the border — way south — for a smoooooth bossa nova beat (and a bevy of sumptuous singers) to back up "E Menina (Hey Girl)." And ¡Cubanismo!'s trumpet-toting frontman, Jesus Alemany, cooks like a heat-crazed speed demon in the hurricane blast of "Tumbao de Coqueta," a song that will absolutely unleash your inner bailador — just try to stay seated for the first five notes. We dare you. In Deep Cuts, we hear how the cha-cha-cha goes Vegas, the carioca goes lounge, and how the Queen of Salsa turns up the heat.

Of course, all this shaker-rattling activity isn't confined to an island 90 miles off the coast of Florida. Oh, no. Rat Pack crooner Dean Martin swings and sways — mostly sways, actually — through the smoldering serenade of "Cha-Cha-Cha D'amour" over a horn section as sharp as a Botany 500 suit. While Martin (Dean) was playing the main room, Martin Denny lit up the lounge with the cool-school, bongo-bopping blast of "The Carioca." And to add just a little slice of spice to our musical concoction, we turn to the Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz, who belts it out like a Dominican League slugger aiming for a shot at the bigs in "Dile Que Por Mi No Tema" ("Tell Him I'm Not Afraid") from the A Lady & Her Music compilation, which also features her friend, collaborator — and King of Salsa — Tito Puente.

With the possible exception of Cachaça, Brazil's national drink, sugar cane has never found a higher calling than squeezing itself into guarapo and uniting with mint, lime, sparkling water, and rum in an frosty-cold mojito. It was Ernest Hemingway's favorite drink, and he drank it in Ernest Hemingway's favorite city: Havana. Sadly, most Americans can't quaff that luscious libation in Cuba's capital, but we can bring you a little Caribbean contentment no matter where you are, thanks to our non-alcoholic Mojito Mix. Belly up to the mouse pad, and indulge your senses in a half-century of rumba, samba, salsa and son from some of the all-time legends of the islands: Xavier Cugat, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, the Buena Vista Social Club, Cachao, and more. No designated driver necessary, but you will have to supply those funny little parasol thingies . . .