Easy Mojito Recipe
This classic Cuban mojito is the ultimate refreshing cocktail, made with just five simple ingredients: fresh spearmint, bright lime juice, white granulated sugar, smooth white rum, and fizzy club soda. It comes together in under five minutes and delivers a perfectly balanced mix of sweet, tart, and minty flavors that make it one of the most beloved cocktails in the world. Whether you're making it for yourself or scaling it up into a pitcher for a party, this easy mojito recipe is guaranteed to impress.
Equipment
- Cocktail muddler
- Highball glass 12-14 oz tall glass
- Cocktail jigger For measuring ingredients accurately
- Citrus juicer or hand squeezer
- Long bar spoon For stirring
- Ice bucket or ice tray
- Cocktail shaker (optional) Use if you prefer a shaken mojito
Ingredients
- 10 fresh mint leaves Spearmint preferred; plus 1 extra sprig for garnish
- 1 oz fresh lime juice 30ml; about 1 medium lime, freshly squeezed
- 2 tsp white granulated sugar Or to taste; can substitute with 3/4 oz simple syrup
- 2 oz white rum 60ml; Bacardi Superior or Havana Club 3-Year recommended
- 2 oz club soda 60ml; chilled
- 1 cup ice cubes Crushed ice also works well
For Garnish
- lime wedges or lime wheels For garnish on the rim of the glass
- 1 fresh mint sprig For garnish on top of the drink
Instructions
- Place your highball glass on a flat surface and add 10 fresh mint leaves to the bottom. Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of white granulated sugar directly over the mint leaves.
- Using a cocktail muddler, gently press and twist the mint and sugar together for about 15 to 20 seconds until the mint is bruised and fragrant. Do not over-muddle, or the drink will turn bitter.
- Pour 1 oz of freshly squeezed lime juice into the glass over the muddled mint and sugar. Stir briefly with a bar spoon to begin dissolving the sugar.
- Measure out 2 oz of white rum using a cocktail jigger and pour it into the glass. Stir gently once more to combine with the lime-mint mixture.
- Fill the glass generously with ice cubes (or crushed ice) until the glass is nearly full.
- Slowly pour 2 oz of chilled club soda down the side of the glass to preserve the bubbles. Give the drink one gentle stir from the bottom up.
- Top with a fresh mint sprig (clap it between your palms first to release its aroma) and a lime wedge or wheel on the rim. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Always use fresh lime juice, not bottled. It makes a dramatic difference in flavor.
- Use spearmint, not peppermint. Spearmint is sweeter and more delicate, which is the traditional choice for mojitos.
- Muddle gently. Press and twist the mint just enough to bruise the leaves and release their oils. Over-muddling crushes the stems and creates a bitter, grassy flavor.
- To make simple syrup for easier mixing: combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan, heat until dissolved, cool, and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Use 3/4 oz in place of 2 tsp granulated sugar.
- Chill your glass before making the drink by placing it in the freezer for a few minutes. This keeps your mojito colder for longer.
- To make a pitcher for 8 servings: multiply all ingredients by 8, muddle in the bottom of a large pitcher, add lime juice and rum, and refrigerate. Top individual glasses with club soda just before serving.
- Rum substitute: For a mocktail version, omit the rum entirely and replace it with an extra splash of club soda or a splash of coconut water.
- Store a premixed base (mint, lime juice, and rum) in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 4 hours before a party. Add ice and club soda only when ready to serve.
- For variations, try muddling 3-4 fresh strawberries, a few mango chunks, or 6-8 ripe blackberries along with the mint for a fruity twist on the classic.
- Do not freeze a fully assembled mojito. The carbonation will go flat and the flavor will be compromised after thawing.
Nutrition
Serving: 1CocktailCalories: 165kcalCarbohydrates: 13gSodium: 5mgPotassium: 60mgSugar: 11gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 1mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!