A mojito brings the fresh taste of Cuba to any glass. This classic cocktail mixes white rum, lime juice, sugar, mint leaves, and sparkling water into a refreshing drink.
The perfect mojito needs five basic ingredients. You will need 2 ounces of white rum, 1 ounce of fresh lime juice, 2 teaspoons of sugar, 6-8 fresh mint leaves, and club soda.
The mojito started in Havana, Cuba during the 1500s. Sailors mixed rum with lime, sugar, and mint to help prevent scurvy on long sea trips. The drink became popular in the United States during the 1960s.
Many bars serve mojitos as a summer drink. The mint and lime create a cool taste that works well on hot days. The simple recipe makes it easy to mix at home or order at most bars.
Mojito Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- Highball glass
- Muddler
- Cocktail spoon
- Jigger or measuring tool
- Ice bucket
- Strainer
Ingredients
- 2 oz white rum
- 1 oz fresh lime juice about 1 lime
- 0.75 oz simple syrup
- 6-8 fresh mint leaves
- Club soda
- Ice cubes
- 1 mint sprig for garnish
- 1 lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Place mint leaves in a highball glass.
- Add simple syrup and lime juice.
- Gently muddle the mint with the liquid 4-5 times to release oils.
- Pour in the white rum.
- Fill the glass with ice cubes.
- Top with club soda (about 2 oz).
- Stir gently with a bar spoon to combine.
- Garnish with a mint sprig and lime wheel.
Notes
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Tasting Notes
A well-made mojito tastes bright and refreshing. The mint and lime create a cooling sensation, while the rum adds warmth and depth.
The first sip brings forward the sweetness of sugar and the tartness of fresh lime juice. These flavors balance each other perfectly, neither one taking over the drink.
The carbonation from club soda adds a light, fizzy texture. It makes the drink feel lively on the tongue and helps spread the flavors across the palate.
White rum provides a clean, subtle alcoholic base. Its gentle vanilla notes complement the other ingredients without being too strong.
Fresh mint leaves give the drink its signature aroma. The mint taste stays clean and natural, not like artificial mint flavoring.
Key Flavor Notes:
- Primary: Mint, lime
- Secondary: Sugar, rum
- Background: Vanilla, carbonation
The drink should taste clean and crisp. If it tastes too sweet or too sour, the proportions need adjusting. A properly mixed mojito feels light and energizing rather than heavy or syrupy.
Substitute
You can make a tasty mojito even when missing some ingredients. Here are common substitutes that work well.
No fresh mint? Use 1-2 drops of mint extract or 2 tablespoons of mint-flavored syrup instead of fresh leaves.
White rum alternatives include light tequila or vodka. These create a different drink, but they still blend nicely with lime and mint flavors.
Simple syrup can be replaced with:
- 2 teaspoons of white sugar
- 1 tablespoon of agave nectar
- 1 tablespoon of honey
Fresh lime juice is best, but bottled lime juice works in a pinch. Use the same amount as fresh juice.
Club soda substitutes:
- Sparkling water
- Sprite or 7-Up (reduce sugar/syrup since these are sweet)
- Ginger ale
- Tonic water
For a non-alcoholic version, replace rum with:
- Extra club soda
- Coconut water
- White grape juice
- Apple juice
