This classic homemade mojito is packed with flavor and if you have never had the pleasure of drinking one, I urge you to give this recipe a try.
Picture yourself on hot summer days, gripping a tall glass adorned with a lime wedge and brimming with the essence of freshly muddled mint leaves. With each sip, the crisp tang of lime intermingles with the subtle sweetness of sugar, all harmonized by the unmistakable allure of Cuban rum.
Escape to the vibrant streets of Havana with our guide to crafting the quintessential Classic Homemade Mojito recipe. Originating in the heart of Cuba, this iconic cocktail has charmed the world with its refreshing blend of Cuban rum, fresh lime juice, and aromatic mint sprigs. Inspired by the legendary Ernest Hemingway, whose love for this authentic Cuban mojito knew no bounds. Our recipe promises to transport you to sun-drenched terraces and lazy afternoons.
Join us as we explain how to make the classic Mojito. Can’t you just hear the rhythm of a cocktail shaker and the spirit of authentic Cuban hospitality. Learn the secrets to infusing each glass with the vibrant flavors of fresh mint leaves and the zesty kick of lime juice. Whether you’re hosting a soirée or simply seeking refuge from the heat, our recipe promises a taste of Cuba in every sip.
Mojito Recipe Cocktail or Mocktail
Cheers to the perfect Mojito! This has been a beloved cocktail for many years for a reason. It can be made as a classic cocktail or mocktail for everyone to enjoy the delicious sweet, minty, and zesty flavored beverage. To make this into a mocktail, just replace the white rum with a bit of additional club soda. This still tastes refreshingly delicious.
Mojito Ingredients
Fresh mint and limes are the foundation of this lively drink. If you want to serve a cocktail that looks fancy and tastes great, then this is it. This easy beverage is made of mint leaves, fresh lime juice, rum, white sugar, club soda, and ice. Garnish with a mint sprig and a lime round, or according to Gloria Estefan on the Cooking Channel, use a stick of sugar cane.
Mint Mojito Cocktail with Ice and Friends
A few weeks ago, I was making Mojitos with a few friends. One of them said that ice is the foundation of all great tasting drinks. We happily made this with and with out ice. We all agreed that the ice keeps this cold and when the ice starts melting, it just adds that little bit more liquid that makes you want to keep sipping to get every drop.
So, yes, add the ice.
How to Make a Classic Mojito Recipe
It just takes a few minutes of prep to make this drink. Just pick a few fresh mint leaves, slice a half a lime into wedges, and add them to a tall glass like a sturdy highball glass with the sugar. Use a muddler, or the end of a wooden spoon handle, to smash the ingredients to release the oils from the mint leaves and the juices from the limes.
The addition of the sugar helps to bring out more flavor in the mint leaves. Additionally, adding the sugar at this stage helps the sugar dissolve a bit before adding the rest of the ingredients. Pro tip. If you happen to have any, you could use a simple syrup in place of the white sugar.
Next, we add a the ice cubes, rum, and club soda. Give the ingredients a good stir or use a shaker. Garnish with mint and lime wedges and enjoy.
Juicing Limes Hack
Get more juice out of limes.
Just place them in the microwave for 15 seconds. Roll them on the counter. Then slice and juice or place in the glass for muddling.
Give it a try.
Classic Homemade Mojito
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
- 6 Mint Leaves
- ½ Lime cut into 4 wedges
- 2 Tablespoons Granulated Sugar or to taste. Can use Simple Syrup
- 1 1/2 Ounces White Rum
- 1 Cup Ice Cubes
- Club Soda Fill the glass the rest of the way
- 1 Slice Lime for garnish
- 1 Sprig Mint for garnish
Instructions
- Place the mint leaves, lime wedges, and sugar in a tall sturdy glass. Use a muddler to crush the mint oils and the lime juices.6 Mint Leaves, ½ Lime, 2 Tablespoons Granulated Sugar
- Add the rum and ice cubes.1 1/2 Ounces White Rum, 1 Cup Ice Cubes
- Fill the glass with the club soda. Make sure to stir and taste to see if you prefer a bit more or less sugar.Club Soda
- Garnish with limes and mint leaves.1 Slice Lime, 1 Sprig Mint
Your Own Private Notes
Video
Notes
What to Use in Place of a Muddler?
No muddler? No problem. Here are five Ideas on what to use if in place of a muddler. Mini Tart Shaper. I have a wooden mini tart shaper that works nicely as a muddler. French Rolling Pin. The one that is a bit longer and skinny. It will fit inside a glass. Wooden Spoon. The handle of the wooden spoon can be used to extract the mint leaves and the juice from the lime wedges. Dowel. Just make sure that the dowel is clean and use that to tamp and smash against the mint, lime, and sugar. Long Handled Bar Spoon. As long as it fits in the glass and gets to the bottom, the spoon can be used to smash against the ingredients.Juicing Limes Hack
Get more juice out of limes. Just place them in the microwave for 15 seconds. Roll them on the counter. Then slice and juice or place in the glass for muddling. Give it a try.Nutrition
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What to Use in Place of a Cocktail Muddler?
No muddler? No problem. Here are five Ideas on what to use if in place of a muddler.
Mini Tart Shaper. I have a wooden mini tart shaper that works nicely as a muddler.
French Rolling Pin. The one that is a bit longer and skinny. It will fit inside a glass.
Wooden Spoon Handle. The handle of the wooden spoon can be used to extract the mint leaves and the juice from the lime wedges.
Dowel. Just make sure that the dowel is clean and use that to tamp and smash against the mint, lime, and sugar.
Long Handled Bar Spoon. As long as it fits in the glass and gets to the bottom, the spoon can be used to smash against the ingredients.
Should You Muddle the Mint Leaves in a Mojito?
The authentic mojito recipe calls for muddling the mint, lime, and sugar together. However, there is another school of thought that the mint leaves should just be added to the drink without being muddled as it can release bitter flavors.
The next time we tried this drink with and without the mint leaves being muddled and we felt that the mint taste came through much better after being muddled. However, when we tried to reuse the leaves for a second drink, they were a bit bitter.
Therefore, we recommend using fresh ingredients for each drink rather than reusing the leaves. If you prefer a lighter mint taste, then we would recommend not muddling the leaves.
Oh, and while you can use any kind of combination of herbaceous mint, we prefer the spearmint.
What is the Best Rum for a Good Mojito?
The best rum to use for a classic Mojito is typically a light or white rum. These varieties have a clean and crisp flavor profile that allows the other ingredients, such as the mint and lime, to shine through. Some popular choices include:
- Havana Club: As a traditional Cuban rum, Havana Club is often regarded as an authentic choice for a Mojito.
- Bacardi Superior: Bacardi Superior is a widely available white rum known for its smoothness and versatility in cocktails.
- Flor de Caña Extra Seco: This Nicaraguan rum offers a slightly dry profile with subtle hints of vanilla, making it an excellent option for Mojitos.
- Mount Gay Eclipse: From Barbados, Mount Gay Eclipse has a balanced flavor profile with notes of banana and almond, adding complexity to your Mojito.
Ultimately, the best rum for your Mojito depends on your personal preference and availability. Experimenting with different brands and styles can help you find the perfect balance of flavors for your taste.
Great Tasting Mint Mojito Cocktail
We think this is the best mojito recipe. We loved it so much that we made a pitcher of this before going out for a pontoon ride. Just use a pitcher that held the equivalent of four drinks and made the recipe the same, just in a larger container.
I hope that you give this delicious and refreshing cocktail a try with all the sweet, minty, and zesty flavors. This pairs nicely with good food and good friends and family for a fun and relaxing get together.
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I hope that you liked this homemade mojito recipe. If you are looking for more ideas on what to make, here are a few other delicious cocktail recipes that you may enjoy.
You can find Victoria crocheting, quilting, and creating recipes. She has cooked in restaurants for over 20 years, including many larger parties. She learned to crochet when she was just 11 years old and has been crocheting ever since; over 50 years now. Over 40 years ago, she loved her first class in sewing and continues to hone her skills in quilting. Many have enjoyed the handmade gifts over the years. In her professional career, she has worked in management in a wide variety of businesses including higher education as a dean of a division. All the while attending college part-time to achieve her doctorate in higher education with an emphasis in e-learning.