Cocktails › Classics › Mojito
Mojito
Mint and lime pressed just enough to wake them up, white rum over plenty of ice, and soda lifting the whole glass. A Mojito tastes like a breeze off the water, green and citrus bright with a clean rum backbone.
Ingredients
- 2oz (60ml) white rum
- 1oz (30ml) fresh lime juice
- 0.5oz (15ml) simple syrup
- 8 to 10 fresh mint leaves, plus a sprig for garnish
- 3oz (90ml) soda water, well chilled
- Lime wedge, for garnish
- Plenty of fresh ice, crushed if you have it
Method
- Add the mint leaves and simple syrup to a tall glass and press gently with a muddler or the back of a spoon, just until the mint smells fragrant.
- Pour in the lime juice and the white rum and stir to lift the mint through the mix.
- Fill the glass to the top with ice, crushed ice if you have it, then top with the soda water.
- Stir once from the bottom with a long spoon so the mint, rum, and soda come together without losing the fizz.
- Crown the glass with more ice, slap the mint sprig between your palms to wake it up, and rest it on top with the lime wedge.
Tip: Press the mint, never shred it. Torn leaves turn bitter and cloudy, while a gentle press releases the sweet oils and keeps the drink clean and bright.
Zero Proof Version
Want it without the alcohol? Our sister site Mocktail O'Clock pours a Virgin Mojito.
Serve It With
Our sister site Cooking with Dade pairs it with Grilled Hawaiian Chicken With Coconut Rice.
Variations
- Strawberry Mojito. Muddle two ripe strawberries with the mint at the start. The berries bring a soft pink colour and a round fruit sweetness that loves the lime.
- Coconut Mojito. Swap the white rum for coconut rum and add a splash of coconut water with the soda. Softer and rounder, with the mint keeping it fresh.
Questions
What is in a Mojito?
White rum, fresh lime juice, mint, simple syrup, and soda water. The mint is pressed gently with the syrup, the rum and lime go in over ice, and soda tops the tall glass.
Where does the Mojito come from?
The Mojito comes from Havana, Cuba, where rum, lime, mint, and sugar were being poured together long before the drink became famous in bars around the world in the early twentieth century.
Should a Mojito use crushed ice or cubes?
Crushed ice is the classic call because it chills fast and dilutes gently as you drink, which suits a long and refreshing serve. Good fresh cubes work fine at home and melt a little slower.
Why does my Mojito taste bitter?
The mint was likely muddled too hard. Shredded leaves release bitter green flavours, so press gently just until the leaves smell fragrant and stop there.
Can I make a Mojito without soda water?
You can, and the drink will taste richer and stronger, closer to a minty daiquiri on ice. The soda is what makes a Mojito long and refreshing, so most drinkers miss it.