I'm Cuban too, although I've never lived there. I have traveled there, and of course those are the best mojitos I've ever had. However, I also had my share of crappy ones while there. I'll probably never get back to Cuba again so I see nothing wrong with enjoying them wherever I am, authentic or not. I also see nothing wrong with mixing in a different flavor to try something new. And yes, the drinks at The Palms were expensive, but have you seen the labor that goes into making one of those things?

I also make a pretty tasty mojito here in MD, even without access to hierba buena.