Mojito Recipe

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!

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 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.

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.

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.

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.