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This easy, classic Mojito Recipe will quench your thirst on the hottest summer days. The combination of mint, lime, and bubbles is oh-so refreshing, and it’s easy to make with only 5 ingredients.
Best Mojito Recipe
I’ve made hundreds of Mojitos in my life, both non-alcoholic Mojito Mocktails and rum-infused classic Mojitos. I’ve mastered the ideal ratio of lime and mint to sparkling soda so you don’t have to give it a second thought.
I’ve also included all my best tips and tricks for a “skinny” version, big-batch cocktails perfect for parties, and tips for making all your favorite fruity variations like strawberry, blackberry, and mango.
Mojitos are a great choice for parties because you can easily leave out the booze for a family-friendly version. Everyone loves the bright mint leaves and fizzy texture, and it’s easy to set out all the ingredients and let guests muddle their own drinks.
Table of Contents
Mojito Cocktail ingredients
At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.
- Mint: Mojitos are typically made with spearmint, not peppermint.
- Sugar: Or substitute agave, honey, or simple syrup and add it to taste. However, the grittiness of granulated sugar adds texture and is part of the charm of a mojito.
- Rum: Any white rum that you find at the grocery store will work here. The best rum for a Mojito is the one that lets the lime and mint shine.
- Club soda: Or choose sparkling water or even a sweetened soda such as Sprite or 7Up.
How to Make a Mojito
- In a medium sturdy glass, add mint leaves, 3 lime wedges, and the sugar. Use a muddler to crush them together, releasing the mint’s natural oils and the lime juice.
- Fill the glass with ice. Add rum, top with club soda, and garnish with a mint sprig or leaves and remaining lime wedge.
Mojito Drink Recipe tips and variations
- Yield: This Mojito recipe makes 1 cocktail.
- Glassware: This Cuban cocktail is traditionally made in a highball glass, an 8-ounce to 12-ounce glass tumbler such as a Collins glass.
- Big Batch: To make a pitcher of Mojitos (a batch of 8), muddle 80 mint leaves (about 4 ounces or 2-3 bunches) with the juice of 4 limes and ½ cup sugar (or more to taste). Add 1 ½ cups (12 ounces) white rum. Add ice and top with club soda.
- No muddler: If you don’t have a cocktail muddler, use the handle of wooden spoon or just shake everything together in a cocktail shaker (you can read all about my favorite cocktail shakers, too).
- Skinny Mojito: Reduce the sugar to 1 teaspoon, or just add a dash of agave syrup.
- Havana additions: Many hotels in Havana, Cuba add Angostura bitters or use lemon juice instead of lime juice.
- Nojito: The non-alcoholic Mojito mocktail is made without rum.
- Cojito: Substitute coconut-flavored rum for even more tropical flavor.
- Mojito Blanco: This Mexican variation uses tequila instead of rum.
- Strawberry mojito: Make a classic Mojito as directed except also muddle one more strawberries in the bottom of the glass with the sugar, lime juice, and mint. Stir in club soda and garnish the cocktail with a fresh strawberry. You can make a blueberry version, too.
- Mojito variations: Add fruit juice or puree such as blackberries, grapefruit, pears, oranges, mango, pineapple, watermelon, cucumber, or berries.
- South Side: Substitute gin for the rum (add seltzer for a South Side Fizz).
What to serve with a Mojito Cocktail
Mojitos are a delicious, refreshing cocktail perfect for any Latin American cuisine, and especially Cuban food. Try a pitcher of Mojitos with Grilled Fish Tacos or your next Carne Asada feast. I also love Mojitos with Shrimp Ceviche, Chimichurri Steak, Chipotle-inspired Pulled Pork, or chips and fresh Mango Salsa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mojitos were created in Havana, Cuba, probably in the 19th century.
A classic mojito is made of rum, lime, mint, and sugar.
Choose a white rum that can support the flavors of lime, mint, and sugar without overpowering them.
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Mint Mojito Recipe
Ingredients
- 10 fresh mint leaves plus more for garnish (see note 1)
- 1/2 lime cut into 4 wedges, divided
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar or to taste (see note 2)
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1 1/2 ounces white rum (3 tablespoons, see note 3)
- 1/2 cup club soda (see note 4)
Instructions
- In a highball glass, add mint leaves, 2 lime wedges, and the sugar. Use a muddler to crush them together, releasing the mint oils and the lime juice.
- Fill the glass with ice. Add rum, top with club soda, and garnish with mint leaves and remaining lime wedges.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Mint: Mojitos are typically made with spearmint, not peppermint.
- Sugar: Or substitute agave, honey, or simple syrup and add it to taste. However, the grittiness of granulated sugar adds texture and is part of the charm of a mojito.
- Rum: Any white rum that you find at the grocery store will work here. The best rum for a Mojito is the one that lets the lime and mint shine.
- Club soda: Or choose sparkling water or even a sweetened soda such as Sprite of 7Up.
- Yield: This recipe makes 1 cocktail.
Nutrition
Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.