Classic Mojito

Mojitos, a bubbly rum cocktail that tastes minty-fresh and citrusy with a hint of sweetness, are rum cocktails. Club soda extends the flavors for a refreshing afternoon drink. The mojito is a great drink for warm weather. I always feel like I am on vacation when I have one.

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Mojitos are a Cuban specialty and I would love to try a real Cuban one. Cuban-style Mojitos were enjoyed in Miami during a long weekend for Valentine’s Day earlier this year. Mojitos are the only cocktail that my husband will consume (he prefers beer and wine). While we were there, I studied their methods so that I could make them myself.

Old’s Havana lined up the highball glasses along the bar and added generous amounts of sugar, then several sprigs (or yerba a buena as they call it) of fresh mint. The mojitos were mixed in glasses according to order and garnished with sugar cane. I shook my drink to the rhythm of Latin string music that was playing a few feet from me. It was a magical experience. I don’t even know if the Miami experience was authentic or not.

Great mojitos are hard to find outside of Miami. Many bars won’t make them because they don’t have fresh mint. My own attempts at making them over the years were not very successful. After studying and practicing my mojito techniques, I am excited to share with you my mojito recipes today!

You only need five simple ingredients (mint leaves, limes, sugar, rum, and club soda), and a few tips, to make the best Mojito ever. This classic mojito doesn’t require a shaker, simple syrup or even a rum. Cheers!

Mojito Ingredients

Fresh Mint

Choose the most beautiful, freshest mint that you can find. Reviving your mint in a bowl with ice water can help it look fresh again. This usually brings it back to life. Keep the best sprigs to garnish your mojitos.

Spearmint mint is my favorite for mojitos. It’s also the easiest mint to find in grocery stores. Spearmint has a sweeter, mellower flavor than peppermint. Peppermint contains menthol which gives your mojito an odd cooling effect. Consider growing mojito (menthaxvillosa), a mint that originated in Cuba, and is the most authentic for mojitos.

Sugar

The cane sugar I use in my mojitos is easy to adjust according to your taste. Many of the mojitos that I have ordered from bars were too sweet for me, so I make mojitos myself. While some recipes use simple syrup in place of sugar, I prefer the texture of plain cane sugar. The occasional sugar granule adds a nice surprise.

Rum

Due to the embargo on Cuban rum in the United States, we will have to make due with other Caribbean Rums. El Dorado 3 years, Plantation 3 stars, Flor de Cana or Bacardi are some of the best rums to use for mojitos.

Lime

The only way to drink lime juice is fresh! Slice your greenest lime into rounds and use them to decorate your mojitos.

Club Soda

Club soda is a great way to transform the flavors of rum and mint into a refreshing drink. You can use any club soda or sparkling water. Topo Chico is a newer brand that offers a lot of bubbles, but without the funny aftertaste.

Suggested Mojito Equipment

These tools make it easy to make mojitos. (These links are affiliate links).

• Muddler
• Citrus Juicer
• Measure Jigger
• Cocktail spoon
• Wide glass straws

How to make the best Mojito

Below you’ll find the complete recipe. For best results, here are some tips:

Choose sturdy, thick-bottomed glasses. I’ve mixed drinks in the glass without any issues. Use it with caution, but don’t use your mother’s crystal.

Do not muddle too much mint. You may be tempted to muddle the mint in small pieces, hoping for a more intense flavor. I know because I did it myself. (Here’s proof). Your mojito is going to taste better without the mint pieces floating around.

You can adjust the recipe to your tastes. This recipe is my perfect mojito. However, you are welcome to tweak it according to your preferences. If you want a drink that is less boozy, use a little less of the rum. If you like a sweeter cocktail, add more sugar (in Miami we used 2 teaspoons to 1 tablespoon). You can also omit all sugar for a cocktail that is free of it (you may prefer to add extra lime juice which will help cut the alcohol’s sharpness).

Before using your mint garnish, gently smack it. Do you think I am kidding? Nope! Save one gorgeous sprig to garnish your drink. To add a finishing touch, gently clap the sprig between your palms to release some of its fragrant oils. Slide the sprig into the drink, keeping the top above the surface. Your drink will taste even more minty thanks to the fragrance.

Mojito Variations

Add a dash of bitters. When we poured some Miami mojitos, the bitters sat on top. They make a mojito simple taste more complex. It’s worth trying if you have some bitters in your home.

Add some fruit: Mix mint with several slices of ripe, juicy fruit. Try mango, pineapple, or kiwi for a tropical twist. You could also try berries like strawberries, blackberries, or raspberries. There’s no limit to what you can do.

Try cucumbers: Mojitos are made even more refreshing by adding a few cubes of cucumber.

Add lemon and basil: This is a pretty unconventional mojito. However, I liked it.

Enjoy More Classic Cocktails

Here are some more cocktail recipes for warm days. For more, check out my roundup of summer cocktails.

• Aperol Spritz
• Bee’s Knees
• Mint Julep
• Moscow Mule
• Red Sangria
• Tom Collins

Classic Mojito

This foolproof recipe will show you how to make classic Mojitos in your own home! These mojitos, which are not too sweet, are fizzy, minty and delicious. All you need is white rum club soda fresh lime, mint and sugar. The recipe as written will make 1 cocktail.

Ingredients

• To taste, add 1 1/2 teaspoons of sugar
• Fresh mint leaves, about 5-6 inches long.
• White rum, 2 ounces
• 1/4 ounce of lime juice
• Ice
• Club soda or sparkling Water (I like Topo Chico).
• Optional: Add 1 or 2 drops of Angostura Bitters
• 1 lime round for garnish

Instructions

• Add the sugar to a tall, sturdy cocktail glass with a heavy bottom. (Reserve the last sprig of mint for garnish).
• Mint and sugar should be muddled 5-10 times until mint becomes very fragrant.
• Pour the rum, lime juice and sugar into the glass. Gently stir the mixture a few times. Fill the glass up with ice.
• Fill the glass almost to the top with club soda. Stir gently in a circle to combine. Then, use a spoon to move some of the mint muddled higher into the glass.
• If desired, add more sugar. If desired, add a few drops of bitters.
• Place the lime round into the glass to garnish. Then, gently clap your remaining mint sprig between your hands (this will release some oils) and tuck the sprig into the glass. Leave the top exposed. Serve chilled with a straw.

Notes

When using standard measuring spoons and cups, two ounces equals 1/4 cup. A 3/4 ounce equals 1 1/2 tablespoons.