Mojito
- Glass
- Collins
- Difficulty
- Easy
- ABV
- ~13%
Ingredients
- 2 ozwhite rum60 ml
- ¾ ozfresh lime juice22 ml
- ¾ ozsimple syrup22 ml
- 8-10 leavesfresh mint leaves8-10 leaves
- 2 ozclub soda60 ml
Instructions
Add the mint leaves to a Collins glass and pour the simple syrup over them. Gently press the mint with a muddler — you want to bruise the leaves to release their oils, not shred them into tiny pieces. Shredded mint turns bitter and looks messy. Add the rum and fresh lime juice. Fill the glass with crushed ice or regular ice, then top with club soda. Give it one gentle stir with a bar spoon to lift the mint from the bottom. Garnish with a generous sprig of fresh mint — slap it against your palm first to wake up the aromatics — and a lime wheel on the rim.
Sips & Tips
Technique
The most common Mojito mistake is over-muddling the mint. Press gently — you want to bruise the leaves, not pulverize them. Shredded mint turns bitter and creates an unpleasant texture. Slap the garnish mint against your palm before adding it; the impact releases the aromatic oils and makes the drink smell incredible.
Balance
Use a clean, light white rum — Bacardí Superior or Plantation 3 Stars. The rum should be a backdrop for the mint and lime, not the star. Fresh lime juice is non-negotiable. The simple syrup can be adjusted to taste — some limes are more tart than others. Don't use powdered sugar; it doesn't dissolve properly in cold drinks.
History
The Mojito's origins are disputed, but it's closely associated with Cuba and Havana's bar culture. A precursor called the Draque — made with aguardiente, lime, sugar, and mint — dates to the 16th century. The modern Mojito with white rum became famous at La Bodeguita del Medio in Havana, where Ernest Hemingway was a regular. He reportedly preferred his Daiquiris at El Floridita and his Mojitos at La Bodeguita.
The Mojito is the ultimate summer cocktail — refreshing, aromatic, and genuinely delicious when made with care. The key is the mint. Cheers.
Variations
Dark Rum Mojito
Replace the white rum with an aged dark rum like Appleton Estate or Mount Gay. The rum's vanilla and caramel notes add depth and warmth. This version is richer and more complex — better for cooler evenings.
Strawberry Mojito
Add 3-4 fresh strawberries to the glass and muddle them with the mint and syrup. The strawberry adds a fruity sweetness that pairs beautifully with the mint and lime. Reduce the simple syrup to ½ oz as the strawberries add their own sweetness.
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Mojito
Glass: Collins | Difficulty: Easy | ABV: ~13%
Ingredients
- 2 oz white rum
- ¾ oz fresh lime juice
- ¾ oz simple syrup
- 8-10 leaves fresh mint leaves
- 2 oz club soda
Instructions
Add the mint leaves to a Collins glass and pour the simple syrup over them. Gently press the mint with a muddler — you want to bruise the leaves to release their oils, not shred them into tiny pieces. Shredded mint turns bitter and looks messy. Add the rum and fresh lime juice. Fill the glass with crushed ice or regular ice, then top with club soda. Give it one gentle stir with a bar spoon to lift the mint from the bottom. Garnish with a generous sprig of fresh mint — slap it against your palm first to wake up the aromatics — and a lime wheel on the rim.