A Mojito is one of the top cocktails to order when you’re out on the town, so it’s no surprise that it’s on the IBA (opens in new window) (International Bartenders Association) contemporary classic cocktail list. If you haven’t made friends with this beguiling drink yet, let us make the intro (and fast).
How to Make a Mojito
PREP TIME 5 min
QUICK TIPS
INSTRUCTIONS
01
1.
Add the mint, sugar and lime to a shaker or mason jar. Muddle and crush the mint with the end of a rolling pin
02
2.
Add the rum along with a handful of ice and shake briefly until icy cold
03
3.
Tip this into a highball glass and top up with soda water
04
4.
Garnish with a sprig of mint, a slice of lime and enjoy
A brief history of the Mojito
The story goes that the Mojito has its roots in 16th-century Cuba, and was originally poured as a medicinal sipper! Apparently, it was called “El Draque,” named after Sir Francis Drake, an English sea captain. The drink was made with a rough form of rum, lime, and mint, and was used to prevent scurvy and various other ailments.
Over time, the recipe evolved, and as rum became more refined, the drink took the shape we know and love today. If you ever visit Havana, don’t forget to stop by La Bodeguita del Medio, the famous bar where Ernest Hemingway claimed to have enjoyed many Mojitos.
Also see: Master the Art of Muddling: Perfect Cocktails Every Time
What makes a Mojito?
For an authentic version of this cocktail, all you need is white rum, lime, mint, sugar, and a little club soda for a fizzy finish. Can you feel the sunshine yet?
Let’s break down our Mojito cocktail ingredients a bit further. Start with a top-shelf white rum like Trois Rivières White Rum; (opens in new window) its honey tones add a perfect sweetness. For the lime, always freshly squeeze them at the last minute for extra zing. For the mint, we suggest using spearmint. It’s easier to come by, and softer, and therefore easier to muddle.
Now, let’s get to the important part. Don’t worry if you don’t own a full cocktail kit; all you need is a jug or shaker and a rolling pin or pestle for the muddling. Then, for serving, grab a highball glass along with some ice.
What is the best rum for a Mojito?
The OG recipe calls for a white rum, not a dark one, which is aged in charred oak barrels after distillation. White rum is typically not aged or lightly aged in stainless steel barrels, which keeps it clear. We love a Trois Rivières White Rum for its honey and spice-forward flavour. For a dark rum twist, our winner is Wray and Nephew Overproof Rum (opens in new window) with its rich molasses notes, both offering a good, subtle base for our summery cocktail.
Can you use dark rum in a Mojito?
While the classic recipe calls for white rum, using dark rum can bring a whole new dimension to the cocktail. Aged rums like Appleton Estate Signature offer rich, caramel notes that give the drink a deeper, more complex flavour. It’s not the traditional way, but if you’re feeling adventurous, give it a try! Just keep in mind, dark rum will slightly change the look and taste of your drink, making it bolder with a more intense profile.
Learn more: Choosing the Best Rum for Mojitos
How to make the best Mojito?
We all know there is a difference between how to make a Mojito and how to make a great one! Check out our pro tips below for the perfect serve every time:
- Keep it fresh: Always use freshly squeezed lime juice to get the sweetest, tangiest flavour. You just can’t compare freshly squeezed to a bought bottle
- Wash your mint: Wash your mint thoroughly before muddling, as it is often grown in sandy soil
- Muddle right: To muddle the right way, pop the washed mint into the bottom of your shaker or jar with the sugar and lime juice and crush it gently with the end of a wooden rolling pin, wooden spoon, or pestle to release the aromatic oils and juices. You’ll want to keep some of the crunchy sugar texture
- Add extra zing: If you love lime as much as we do, chop a whole lime into chunks and muddle it along with your mint for a zestier drink
- Serve it in style: To garnish, gently rub the mint leaves to release the oils, making it more fragrant from the first sip.
- Pair with snacks: Mojitos are a perfect serve alongside fresh and spicy dishes, such as tacos, guac, and Cuban pulled pork
How to make a Mojito for a party
Do you want to make easy summer cocktails for a crowd? No problemo! Pretty jugs of cocktails like our Mojito are a lifesaver for an outdoor cocktail party. To make a batch to serve the whole gang, opt for equal measures of sugar syrup instead of sugar.
Learn how to make it yourself with our easy sugar syrup recipe or buy one to save time. Infuse the sugar syrup with mint easily: just simmer the syrup for 3 minutes with roughly chopped mint, cool, and strain. This can be done up to 3 days in advance and kept chilled in the fridge.
An average jug can hold about 1¾ litres, so mix up our recipe eight times (holding fire on the soda water and ice for now). When you’re ready to serve, just stir well, add ice, and top up with soda water for the fizz and garnish.
What are the most popular Mojito variations?
- If you’re avoiding the booze, then make a Virgin Mojito. It makes a fab alternative to lemonade
- With Margaritas being so popular, the next twist would be a Tequila Mojito, so swap the rum with a reposado tequila. Add a few slices of jalapeño for an extra kick, if you like
- If you’re not a rum fan, try mixing your Mojito with either vodka or gin. Gin’s botanicals will blend well with the floral minty notes, while vodka will give you a more neutral sip, closer to the OG
- While on the gin convo, channel your Wimbledon vibes in the summer and muddle a chopped strawberry with your mint for a sweet twist
More drinks to try if you love a Mojito
If the vibrant mix of mint and lime in a Mojito is your vibe, you’ll definitely enjoy these cocktails too:
- Lime Daiquiri: Another lime and rum classic, but this one is shaken with ice and served chilled.
- Caipirinha: Brazil’s national cocktail uses cachaça, lime, and sugar for a tropical twist.
- Mint Julep: Swap out the rum for bourbon, and you’ve got a Southern favourite with plenty of minty kick.
Cheers, dears! Best White Rum Cocktails: Classic Recipes & Expert Tips
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
This tasty cocktail comes in at 13% ABV. This makes it equal to a glass of wine, just way more fun!
When it comes to the origins of a cocktail, you should expect that there’s always more than one theory! The most popular one is that an associate of English pirate Sir Francis Drake came up with the Mojito in Havana, Cuba in the 1500s. As the story goes, Drake’s crew (who were there to loot the city’s gold) were all suffering from those nasty 1500s diseases you get from being ship bound for months. The locals made up a tonic to cure them of their malaise, using some of the Mojito cocktail ingredients. This drink developed into something called El Draque, which included a fiery spirit called aguardiente, made from sugar cane. Good news, the medicine worked, and the cocktail is still around to tell the tale!
The best mint to choose for a Mojito is Spearmint. It’s the easiest to find in shops and is softer and sweeter, perfect for muddling in your delicious Mojito.
For a non-alcoholic version, you can simply skip the rum and replace it with extra soda water or even a splash of coconut water for added flavour. It’s a great option for designated drivers or anyone looking to enjoy the mint-lime combo without the alcohol.
Muddling the mint releases its essential oils, which are key to that signature minty flavour. But remember, you don’t want to go too hard on the mint leaves. Lightly press them with your muddler to release the oils without shredding the leaves, which can make the drink taste bitter.
While granulated sugar is traditional, using sugar syrup is an easy swap that dissolves faster and blends more smoothly into the cocktail. You can also infuse your simple syrup with extra flavours like ginger, vanilla, or even chilli for a fun twist!
