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Home » Drinks + Smoothies » Mojito Recipe

Mojito Recipe

Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon Jessica Randhawa
May 20, 2022
4.85 from 33 votes


Last Updated May 20, 2022 | 3 Comments

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23.4K shares
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The Mojito is a classic Cuban cocktail made with a simple mix of rum, simple syrup (or sugar), fresh lime juice, mint leaves, and bubbly club soda. The perfect summer cocktail, it’s refreshing, delicious, and so easy to make!

Three classic Mojitos made with white rum, lime juice, sugar, mint, and soda water in a highball glass.

Mojito

The older I get, the more I enjoy a refreshing cocktail over my usual glass of wine.

In my twenties, I was always too intimidated to make my own cocktails, but I soon learned, after starting this blog, that not all cocktails need to be complicated, filled with fancy ingredients, or packed with crazy amounts of sugar in order to taste delicious. 

This Classic Mojito Recipe is the perfect starting place for anyone just learning how to make cocktails at home! Whether you already know that you love this classic rum cocktail, or you’re looking for something light and delicious, this is the one for you! It’s one of my go-to cocktail favorites; right up there with this cucumber gin and tonic and delicious watermelon margarita.

What is a Mojito?

The mojito is a traditional Cuban cocktail consisting of just five ingredients– white rum, sugar cane juice, lime juice, club soda, and mint. It is popular in the summertime, especially given its combination of minty sweet and citrus flavors.

There are many mojito variations found today, including several made using lemon juice instead of lime juice, or others made with coconut-flavored rum, flavored spirits, and different fruits.

Three highball glasses each filled with two limes and mint leaves.

What is in a Mojito

  • Rum: White rum is traditionally what’s used to make classic mojitos. That said, there are many variations with some calling for gold rum, dark rum, gin, or even vodka.
  • Fresh mint leaves: Traditionally, this cocktail was made using Yerba Buena. However, I doubt most of us can get our hands on this aromatic plant here in the US, so we have come to love and appreciate the mojito with mint.
  • Fresh lime juice: Only the fresh stuff. I even underlined it so you know I mean business.
  • Sugar or Simple syrup: Traditionally, Mojitos were made with sugar cane juice, but I didn’t have that, so I used simple syrup. White granulated sugar or honey will work just as well.
  • Club soda: Unsweetened bubbly water will be added to top off each glass.
  • Ice: Because otherwise, it would taste gross. No, I do not measure my ice.

Helpful tools and equipment:

  • Cocktail Muddler. Theoretically, you could use a wooden spoon, but a muddler makes a world of difference.
  • Tall glasses such as these highball or Collins glasses.
  • Straws. I currently have my eye on these re-usable bamboo, metal, and glass straws.
Close up of a highball glass filled with muddled mint and lime.

How to Make a Mojito

  1. Add 8-10 mint leaves and 2 lime wedges (1/4 of a lime) to a highball glass. You’ll need a glass that is approximately 12-14 ounces. Very gently muddle the lime and the mint. Be careful not to shred the mint as it gets stuck in the straw and makes the drink bitter. If you prefer you can simply add the lime juice to the glass, however, I find that gently muddling the rind adds extra flavor.
  2. Add the two remaining lime wedges (1/4 of a lime) and the simple syrup to the glass. Gently muddle again – just enough to release the lime juice and combine with the simple syrup.
  3. Fill each glass with ice. It doesn’t really matter what kind of ice you use, just so long as you use ice.
  4. Pour the rum directly over the ice and top off with club soda or soda water. Stir gently just to combine. Garnish with additional lime wedges and a fresh sprig of mint.
Overhead image of a highball glass filled with muddled lime and fresh mint.

Best Rum for a Mojito

Although there are countless Mojito variations, I made this classic mojito recipe with white rum. White rum, also known as silver rum or light rum, is light-bodied with a sweet taste.

The most popular and probably well-known white rum is Bacardi Superior.

White rum being poured into a highball glass filled with muddled lime, mint and filled with crushed ice.

Helpful Tips and Tricks

  • Use fresh limes – not the concentrated stuff.
  • Quality counts. With only five ingredients, each one is super important. Just like the lime juice, you want to be sure to use a quality rum that you actually like the taste of. Some favorites include Bacardi Superior or Cana Brava.
  • Avoid over-muddling. Gently, yet firmly, press the limes and mint with your muddler (like this one) and gently twist. We’re not trying to rip the mint to shreds, that just makes your mojito bitter.
  • Add some fruit (like in this strawberry mojito or this raspberry mojito) for a fun twist.
Classic Mojito garnished with fresh mint.

More Refreshing Cocktail Recipes,

  • Rosemary Brown Derby (Bourbon and Grapefruit Cocktail)
  • Sparkling Passion Fruit and Pineapple Margaritas
  • Cherry Strawberry Lemonade Sangria
  • Frozen Peach Wine Slushies
  • Classic Margarita Recipe
  • Paloma Recipe (How to Make a Paloma Cocktail)
  • Long Island Iced Tea Recipe
Three classic Mojitos made with white rum, lime juice, fresh mint, sugar, and club soda.

Have you tried making this Mojito Recipe?

Tell me about it in the comments below! I always love to hear your thoughts. And tag me #theforkedspoon on Instagram if you’ve made any of my recipes, I always love to see what you’re cooking in the kitchen.

A glass of mojito on a table

Mojito Recipe

4.85 from 33 votes
Chef: Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked SpoonJessica Randhawa
The Mint Mojito is a classic cocktail made with a simple mix of rum, simple syrup (or sugar), fresh lime juice, mint leaves, and bubbly club soda. The perfect summer cocktail it's refreshing, delicious, and so easy to make!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
Prep Time 5 mins
Total Time 5 mins
Course Drinks
Cuisine American, Cuban
Servings 1 cocktail
Calories 184 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 8 fresh mint leaves
  • ½ lime - sliced into 4 wedges, plus more for serving
  • 2 teaspoon simple syrup - or granulated sugar
  • Ice
  • 2 fluid ounces white rum
  • club soda
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions
 

  • Add the mint leaves and two lime wedges to a highball glass or collins glass. Use a muddler to gently muddle the mint and lime wedges (but not too much as you don't want to break apart the mint leaves).
  • Add the two remaining lime wedges and simple syrup to the glass. Muddle gently to release the lime juice, again being careful not to smash the mint leaves and break them apart.
  • Fill the glass with ice and pour the rum directly over the ice. Top off each glass with club soda and stir just to combine. Serve garnished with a sprig of fresh mint, lime, and a straw. Enjoy!

Nutritional Information

Calories: 184kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 45mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 340IU | Vitamin C: 12.3mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1.1mg

(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)

Keyword How to Make a Mojito, Mojito, Mojito Recipe
Did You Make This Recipe? Tag it Today!Mention @theforkedspoon or tag #theforkedspoon and please leave your star rating in the comment section below.

About Jessica

Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon

Jessica Randhawa is the head chef, photographer, and recipe developer of The Forked Spoon. Jessica fell in love with cooking while traveling through Asia and Europe, where she discovered her passion for good food and new adventures. Her recipes have been featured on Yahoo, MSN, USA Today, FeedFeed, and many more. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California.

23.4K shares
Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon

About Jessica Randhawa

Jessica Randhawa is the head chef, photographer, and recipe developer of The Forked Spoon. Jessica fell in love with cooking while traveling through Asia and Europe, where she discovered her passion for good food and new adventures. Her recipes have been featured on Yahoo, MSN, USA Today, FeedFeed, and many more. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California.

Comments

  1. Anna Sanchez says

    June 27, 2020 at 7:04 pm

    5 stars
    It was very easy and great mojito recipe. Thanks

    Reply
    • Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked SpoonJessica Randhawa says

      June 27, 2020 at 7:31 pm

      Thanks for the positive feedback Anna 🙂

      Reply
  2. Vanessa says

    August 25, 2019 at 7:33 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe was so easy to follow! Thank you 🙂 I used Bacardi Lime and it was still pretty refreshing.

    Reply

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Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon

I’m Jessica! Aka mom, wife, chef, and travel-obsessed photographer. Welcome to The Forked Spoon. Here you can browse hundreds of incredible family-friendly recipes covering dozens of diets, courses, and cuisines. Learn more about me.

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