If West Palm Beach had a vote on an official cocktail, I would nominate the mojito. And if asked to name one place that does it best, I would vote for Cabana: yesterday, today and, I daresay, tomorrow.

The swanky hot spot on Clematis Street, which moved up from the waterfront a few years back, has met my expectations consistently for years. I confess I visited them the first month I moved to West Palm Beach in 2004 — I was completely enthralled then and I haven’t been let down since.

But back to the mojito. Cabana’s version has the basics down: a hefty amount of good-quality rum, a big enough glass for you to sip from for a while, a ton of mint, and a sturdy stalk of sugarcane.

It’s a delicate balance – not too much soda, not too much rum and not too much sugar. Cabana does it right. Every. Single. Time.

In addition, Cabana has wonderful appetizers such as mariquitas, ($7.95), a take on chips and guac – delicious, thinly sliced and crispy fried plantain chips with garlic mojo and thick avocado salsa. Or try the black bean soup ($5.95), empanadas or any of the filling salads.

But after you’ve had a couple – and a $4.25 Happy Hour special or two-for-1 from 4 p.m. to close – you start rationalizing that you’ve drunk your salad and you might just stick with the plantains. Hey, they’re a fruit, too.

Cabana: 533 Clematis St., West Palm Beach; 561-833-4773. Open Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from noon to 11 a.m., and Sunday from noon to 10 p.m.