Mojito Recipe
A crisp classic mojito with fresh mint, lime, white rum and chilled club soda, lightly muddled and served over ice.
WHY IT WORKS
Why This Recipe Works
01
Bright, Fresh Balance
Fresh lime, aromatic mint and a measured amount of sugar keep the drink lively and balanced rather than overly sweet.
02
Muddle Gently
Lightly bruising the mint releases its aroma while avoiding the harsher, grassy flavor that can come from grinding the leaves.
03
Keep the Fizz
Adding chilled club soda at the end and stirring only briefly keeps the finished mojito cold, sparkling and refreshing.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Equipment
THE RECIPE
Ingredients & Method
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Ingredients
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Method
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Put the mint leaves, fresh lime juice and sugar in a highball glass. Press gently with a muddler 6 to 8 times, just enough to bruise the mint and help the sugar begin to dissolve; do not grind or shred the leaves.
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Add the white rum and stir for about 15 seconds, until most of the sugar has dissolved.
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Fill the glass generously with ice cubes.
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Pour in the chilled club soda. Stir gently from the bottom with a bar spoon or long spoon just 2 or 3 times to combine without knocking out too much carbonation.
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Garnish with the lime wedge and mint sprig. Serve immediately.
COOKING GUIDANCE
Practical Cooking Notes
Make Ahead
Squeeze the lime juice and measure the rum a few hours ahead, then keep them chilled separately. Do not muddle the mint or add the club soda until you are ready to serve so the mint stays fresh and the drink keeps its fizz.
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Recipe Notes
Ingredient Notes
Fresh mint and freshly squeezed lime juice make the biggest difference here. Superfine sugar dissolves quickly in the cold drink, while chilled club soda keeps the finished mojito crisp and sparkling.
Useful Substitutions
Plain sparkling water can replace club soda, although the mineral balance may taste slightly different. If superfine sugar is unavailable, regular granulated sugar works; stir a little longer so the crystals dissolve.
INGREDIENT QUALITY
Quality Note
Use fresh, lively mint and freshly squeezed lime juice. Press the mint gently rather than grinding or tearing it; bruising the leaves releases aroma without pulling as much bitter plant material into the drink.
SPEND LESS
Cost-Saving Tip
If limes are better value in a larger bag, juice the extras and freeze the juice in measured portions for future drinks. Freshly squeezed juice is best for this mojito, but freezing surplus can reduce waste.
MIXING TIPS
Tips
Muddle, Don’t Pulverize
Press the mint just enough to bruise it. Tearing or grinding the leaves too aggressively can make the drink taste grassy or bitter.
Muddle Gently
Stir the rum, lime and sugar until the sugar is mostly dissolved before adding ice so sweetness is distributed evenly through the drink.
Use Plenty of Ice
Fill the glass generously. Plenty of ice chills the mojito quickly and helps slow dilution as the drink sits.
Add Soda Last
Pour in the chilled club soda after the rum and ice, then give the drink only a few gentle stirs to preserve the carbonation.
MAKE IT LAST
Making Ahead & Storing
Storing
A mojito is best assembled immediately before drinking. Once the soda is added, the carbonation fades and the mint softens, so do not plan to store the finished drink.
Prep Ahead
Squeeze the lime juice a few hours ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Measure the rum separately, but wait to muddle the mint and add the soda until serving.
Keep the Soda Cold
Chill the club soda before making the drink. Cold soda keeps the mojito refreshing and reduces how quickly the ice melts.
Don’t Freeze the Finished Drink
Freezing an assembled mojito dulls the mint and lime and removes the soda’s fizz. If you have extra lime juice, freeze that separately in measured portions instead.
ESTIMATED PER SERVING
Nutrition
1 cocktail
Nutrition information is an estimate. Where shown, % Daily Value uses standard US Daily Values for adults and children aged 4+; actual values vary with ingredient brands, exact quantities and portion size.
QUESTIONS
Mojito FAQs
Can I make a mojito without a muddler?
Yes. Use the end of a wooden spoon to press the mint gently against the bottom of the glass. The goal is to bruise the leaves, not shred them.
Should I use fresh lime juice for a mojito?
Freshly squeezed lime juice gives the cleanest, brightest flavor. Bottled lime juice can taste flatter or more processed, so it is not the preferred choice for this simple drink.
What kind of rum works best in a classic mojito?
A clean, unflavored white rum keeps the mint and lime at the front of the drink. A lightly aged rum can work, but it will give the mojito a deeper flavor and color.
Why does my mojito taste bitter?
The usual cause is over-muddled mint. Press the leaves gently a few times instead of grinding them, and avoid crushing woody stems into the drink.
Can I make a mojito ahead of time?
You can juice the lime and measure the rum a few hours ahead, but assemble the drink at the last minute. Muddle the mint and add the club soda only when you are ready to serve.
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