Everything you need to know on how to make a mojito! This mojito recipe is a classic rum cocktail that is perfect to sip in the summer. It’s a refreshing cocktail, super minty, and full of flavor.
The Mojito is a classic cocktail that’s a firm favorite at any summer party. Read on to discover more about this well-known drink, including its history and how the right sort of mint could make all the difference!
For a party, make a mojito bar and also try our matcha mojito recipe and coconut mojito for a fun twist!
History of the Mojito
Table of Contents
Hailing from Havanna, Cuba, the exact origins of the Mojito are lost in time. The most popular theory is that European sailors newly arrived in Havanna, heard that the local indigenous people knew how to make effective medicines.
A boarding party was organized, who went ashore and came back with limes (which were squeezed to provide lime juice), sugar cane, mint, and a strong, locally made, sugarcane-based spirit (a potent version of rum). For sailors suffering from scurvy (a disease caused by lack of Vitamin C), the lime juice and mint would certainly have had medicinal qualities.
The four ingredients (lime juice, sugar cane, mint, and rum) subsequently formed the basis of the much-loved Mojito.
What We Love About This Recipe
This recipe taste like a classic mojito. It’s super refreshing, bubbly, and has the perfect amount of sweetness.
Simple to make and makes a wonderful summer cocktail recipe.
It’s not shaken, just stirred.
The flavor is extra minty, which we love!
Mojito Recipe Ingredients
The classic ingredients of a Mojito are:
Fresh Mint – The mint gives a mojito the freshest flavor. Mint is one ingredient we like to keep on hand in our garden. If you live somewhere cold, try an indoor herb garden to grow mint so you can make cocktails all year!
White Rum – Any white rum will work to make this. Havana Club is the most popular rum in Cuba, so if you want to keep this recipe traditional use that. Otherwise, use any white rum you have available.
Lime Juice – Alway use freshly squeezed lime juice for the ultimate freshness. 1 lime will yield 2 tablespoons of lime juice.
Simple Syrup – We love to use the simple syrup for our recipe. It’s a mixture of equal parts sugar and water and is melted down for a smooth texture and less sweet flavor.
Club Soda or Sparkling Water – Add carbonated water to this drink, which helps balance the cocktail and dilute the intense flavors. It always adds some bubbles, making it super refreshing.
Full recipe is in the recipe card below.
How to Make a Mojito
You’ll need a highball glass, muddler and cocktail jigger.
Muddle the Mint – This is the first step to making this drink. Place the mint and the simple syrup in a highball glass. Using a cocktail muddler, gently press down on the mint to release the aromas and flavor.
Stir – Add the rum, lime juice, and ice to the glass and stir.
Top It – Top with club soda and then garnish with a lime wheel and sprigs of fresh mint.
Raw Sugar Cane Sticks and Sugar Cane Straws
For a festive drink, add a raw sugar cane stick into the drink before serving.
If using a straw, we recommend these biodegradable straws made from sugar cane.
Tips for Making this Cocktail
Bruising the Mint – The secret to a good Mojito is to bruise (muddle) the mint leaves before adding the rum, lime juice, and ice. Bruising the mint releases its aromatic oils, which add the characteristic minty tang to the Mojito.
Lots of Mint – Don’t be shy with the mint! Use a good amount of mint to make this drink and for garnishing it.
Always Taste Test The best part about making this drink is that you can add anything else you need to it, like extra lime juice or more simple syrup. Using a spoon, give it a taste and adjust if needed.
Virgin Mojito
There are two ways to make a virgin mojito recipe:
Simply, leave out the rum in the recipe. Since this recipe is made with lime, mint, and club soda, it will taste like a refreshing spritz and still be very flavorful.
Another option is to replace the rum with a zero-proof rum-like Ritual. This will give the cocktail a warm vanilla flavor as well as toasted spice, bitter orange, toffee, and caramel flavors that are present in rum.
Frozen Mojito
Look no further than this frozen mojito recipe. It’s the best we’ve ever had!
Best Rum for Mojitos
Ideally, the white rum used in a Mojito needs to be smooth, strong and packed with flavor. Our favorites include Diplomataco Planus Rum, Real McCoy Barbados Rum, and Plantation 3 Stars.
When to Serve a Mojito
The perfect afternoon drinks or serve it on one of these occasions:
Birthday Party it’s also perfect for a last-minute birthday party!
Frequently Asked Questions
As already indicated, a Mojito contains fresh lime juice, white rum, mint leaves, and sugar.
The signature spirit in a Mojito is white rum. Distilled from sugar cane, it has a sweet, soft taste that works well with the other Mojito ingredients. In contrast, Tequila, distilled from the Agave plant, has a distinctive taste that’s tangier and less sweet than white rum. Tequila works well with fruit juices and orange flavors, such as orange juice and triple sec or Cointreau.
There is a variety of mint that works particularly well in a Mojito – Mojito mint! The Mojito mint originated in Cuba (home of the Mojito). As such, it works particularly well when combined with the other ingredients, all of which are indigenous to Cuba.
Mojito mint has a mild, peppermint flavor. When bruised, Mojito mint releases menthol-like compounds that result in a Mojito that feels cool and refreshing to drink. If you haven’t got any Mojito mint to hand, Spearmint will work pretty well.
More Rum Cocktails
If you love rum, check out more of our recipes!
The Best Pineapple Mojito Recipe
Blueberry Mojito with Blueberry Ice
Also check out more great cocktail recipes our favorite brunch recipes, the best-mixed drinks, tequila cocktails, gin cocktails, vodka cocktails, and cheap drinks to make at home!
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Mojito Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 leaves mint
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- 2 ounces white rum
- 1 ounce lime juice
- 4 ounces club soda
Instructions
- Place the mint and the simple syrup in highball glass, using a cocktail muddler, gently press down on the mint to release the aromas and flavor.
- Add the rum, lime juice and ice to the glass and stir.
- Top it with club soda and then garnish with a lime wheel and sprigs of fresh mint.
This was the first time I made mojitos and they are incredible and surprisingly easy to make! Perfect for our girls night!
My favorite cocktail! And now they are so easy to make, thank you!
Mojito is one of the first alcoholic beverages I had that I actually enjoyed. Such a simple drink and yet so delicious! Love this recipe. Absolutely wonderful and refreshing on hot days!
So so good! A new favorite recipe! Can’t wait to make it for friends soon too!!