When it comes to mixed drinks, there are few that I like better than the classic Mojito. And this particular Mojito recipe is one of my favorites.
It features the perfect ratio of sugar to mint and lime juice to rum. Every sip is crisp, light, and full of refreshing minty goodness.
It’s the perfect summer drink, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait to enjoy it. Because it uses common ingredients, it’s a classic cocktail to enjoy any time of year.
Get ready to sip this incredible Mojito!
Classic Mojito
The classic Mojito first appeared in Cuba, but it quickly made a splash worldwide. Today, it’s one of the most ordered cocktails practically everywhere.
People love its minty freshness, light sweetness, and invigorating flavor. Plus, rum cocktails are always better than the competition.
They’re always my drink of choice. They’re frequently light and flavorful and don’t have a heavy alcohol taste. The Mojito is my favorite of all the white rum cocktails I’ve tried.
I adore the combination of mint, lime, and a little sugar. The nose-tingling fizziness on top doesn’t hurt either!
Ingredients
The classic Mojito recipe requires the following ingredients:
- Mint leaves – One thing that makes the Mojito such a special drink is how light and refreshing it is. That comes from the mint, so be sure to use fresh leaves. Muddle some in the glass and add a few extras as garnishes.
- Limes – You need 3/4 ounces of freshly squeezed lime juice and a few wedges and slices. The lime juice should be fresh (not bottled).
- White sugar – The original Mojito called for muddling mint with lime wedges and real sugar. It’s still made this way in many places, including this recipe. But if you don’t want that grainy finish, use simple syrup instead.
- White rum – Use a high-quality white rum that blends seamlessly with the other ingredients. If your rum is good, you’ll barely notice it’s there.
- Ice – Use large cubes that won’t dilute your drink too quickly when they melt.
- Club soda – You can substitute sparkling water if you prefer.
How to Make a Mojito
Follow these simple steps to make the perfect Mojito every time:
1. Add the mint leaves, lime wedges, and sugar to a tall glass. Muddle the leaves and lime wedges with a muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon.
This step is crucial for releasing the oils from the mint leaves. But it’s important not to overdo it. As soon as you can smell the mint, it’s ready.
2. Make the drink. Fill the glass with ice. Then, pour in the rum and lime juice.
3. Stir. Some recipes call for shaking the ingredients and straining the drink over ice. But the classic way of making a mojito is with a simple stir or churn.
4. Top off the glass. Top your drink off with club soda and add the garnishes. Then, sit back and enjoy your delicious, totally refreshing cocktail.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips to ensure the very best Mojito:
- Be picky with the rum. Since the rum isn’t masked by too many flavors, you want something of good quality. Brands like Bacardí, Havana Club, or Mount Gay are excellent choices. You’ll appreciate their clean, smooth flavors.
- Use fresh ingredients. Fresh mint leaves provide much-needed color and that signature flavor you can only get from natural oils.
- Take it easy! Don’t over-muddle the drink. I mentioned this already, but it’s important enough to repeat. Stop muddling as soon as you smell the mint. If you continue, you risk over-muddling the drink.
- Super-fine sugar is superior. Simple syrup is another option that’ll cut down on the graininess.
Variations
Try some of these variations if you want to mix things up a bit:
- Make it “dirty.” A “Dirty Mojito” is a variation that calls for brown or demerara sugar and dark rum instead of white. These changes give it a richer, more complex flavor.
- Give it a kick. Add a little ginger juice for a spicier, less sweet kick.
- Try it frozen. Add 4 ounces white rum, 2 ounces lime juice, 2 ounces simple syrup, a handful of mint leaves, and 2 cups of ice cubes to a blender. Blend until smooth.
- Make it fruity. Try a strawberry or watermelon Mojito for a sweeter, fruitier flavor. Add fresh, juicy berries or watermelon chunks to the recipe in the muddling stage. Pineapple, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries are other good options.
- Skip the booze. For a virgin mocktail, follow the recipe as written. Just skip adding the rum.
- Want an even fresher flavor? Try muddling in a few cucumber slices, as well.
Best Mojito Recipe (Classic Cocktail)
1
servings5
minutes180-200
kcalThis classic Mojito recipe is as refreshing as it gets! The blend of rum, sugar, lime juice, and mint leaves is such a boozy treat!
Ingredients
8-10 fresh mint leaves, plus extra for garnish
1/2 lime, cut into wedges
1-2 tablespoons white sugar (or 1/2-1 ounce simple syrup)
2 ounces white rum
3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
ice cubes
club soda or sparkling water, to top
lime slice for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Place the mint leaves, lime wedges, and sugar into a tall glass.
- Use a muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon to crush the lime wedges and mint leaves. This will release the lime juice and mint oils. Stop when the mint is aromatic.
- Fill the glass with ice, then pour in the rum and lime juice.
- Stir the drink gently with a tall bar spoon.
- Top the glass off with club soda and garnish with a lime slice and a sprig of fresh mint.
