Aperol Cranberry Mojito Cocktail Recipe

I love drinks that are easy to throw together but still make you feel like you’re treating yourself. The Aperol Cranberry Mojito is honestly one of those cocktails I keep coming back to—it’s got that bittersweet Aperol thing going on, then cranberry and mint swoop in with a fresh, tart kick.

You’ll get a crisp, colorful drink that’s perfect for lazy afternoons or when you’ve got friends dropping by. It’s simple, but it hits the spot.

Let’s get into it. I’ll walk you through the ingredients and tools, but don’t worry—you don’t need anything fancy or hard to find.

Just grab a handful of fresh stuff and you’re good to go. It only takes a couple minutes, which is always a win.

Once you try it, you’ll see how the citrus, cranberry, and mint all play off each other, while Aperol adds this nice, subtle depth. It’s light, easy to sip, and honestly a bit of a crowd-pleaser.

Aperol Cranberry Mojito Cocktail Recipe

I reach for this recipe when I want something that’s refreshing but not too sweet. The Aperol, cranberry juice, and mint make for a crisp combo—especially on warm days.

Equipment

You really don’t need much here, just a few basics to mix and serve the drink.

• Cocktail shaker – helps blend everything together
• Muddler – for pressing the mint leaves
• Measuring jigger – so the flavors stay balanced
• Bar spoon – for a gentle stir at the end
• Strainer – keeps out ice and mint bits
• Highball glass – for serving over ice
• Small knife – handy for garnishes like lime or cranberries

Having these ready before you start makes things smoother. No one likes scrambling for a spoon mid-cocktail.

Ingredients

I try to measure things out so the flavors don’t get muddled (no pun intended).

• 2 oz Aperol (Italian aperitif)
• 1.5 oz cranberry juice (unsweetened or lightly sweetened)
• 1 oz white rum
• 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
• 6–8 fresh mint leaves
• 2–3 fresh cranberries (for garnish)
• 2–3 oz soda water
• 1–2 tsp simple syrup (optional, if you like it sweeter)
• Ice cubes

I usually go with unsweetened cranberry juice so the drink doesn’t end up too sugary.

Instructions

Here’s how I make it, step by step.

• Toss the mint leaves into your cocktail shaker.
• Add lime juice and simple syrup, then gently muddle the mint.
• Pour in Aperol, rum, and cranberry juice.
• Fill the shaker with ice and shake for about 10–15 seconds.
• Strain into a highball glass packed with ice.
• Top it off with soda water and give it a gentle stir.
• Garnish with cranberries and a sprig of mint.

Shaking with ice chills everything fast and helps the flavors come together.

Notes

Don’t go wild with the muddler—too much pressure and the mint gets bitter. Just a light press is enough.

If you want something lighter, add more soda water and cut back on the rum a bit. The Aperol and cranberry still shine through.

Sometimes, I’ll freeze fresh cranberries and use them as “ice cubes.” They look pretty and don’t water the drink down as they chill it.

Tasting Notes

When I take that first sip, the bright citrus from the lime jumps out right away. It tastes zesty and crisp, which somehow balances out the cranberry juice’s sweetness.

The Aperol brings in a touch of bitterness, just enough to keep things interesting. There’s this gentle herbal note that hangs around after each sip—kind of subtle, but definitely there.

Mint leaves add a cool, refreshing kick. I really notice it when I breathe in after drinking, almost like a little burst of freshness.

The color really stands out, too. That deep reddish-orange hue just looks so inviting in the glass.

The bubbles from the club soda make the drink feel lighter, almost playful. It’s easy to sip slowly without feeling weighed down.

The finish? Smooth, with a mix of sweet fruit and gentle bitterness. My mouth feels clean and refreshed after each sip.