Mojito

The classic Mojito is the ultimate cocktail for when you’re lounging by the pool, on a beach towel with your bestie, or just trying to bring vacation energy to your backyard. This Mojito is the kind of cocktail that tastes like summer’s officially here.

Mojitos are iconic for a reason. They’re crisp, fizzy, and refreshing, but this version dials up the flavor with homemade demerara syrup for a little extra depth and richness. Combined with white rum, fresh lime juice, and a handful of mint, it’s the perfect “let’s make two” kind of drink.

How to Make a Mojito

1. Smack a generous handful of mint between your hands to release the oils, then gently rub it around the inside of each glass.
2. In a shaker, combine rum, lime juice, demerara syrup, and a few torn mint leaves.
3. Add ice and shake until chilled.
4. Double strain into two ice-filled Collins glasses.
5. Top each with club soda and garnish with mint and lime.

Mojito Ingredients

White rum

White rum is perfect for bright, summery cocktails like a Mojito because it’s clean and crisp. Use something light-bodied for a classic mojito profile.

Mint

Fresh spearmint is ideal. Don’t muddle too hard because bruising the leaves will make it bitter.

Demerara Syrup

If you can boil water, you make your own demerara syrup! Just use demerara sugar instead of granulated in a 1-to-1 ratio with water.

Lime juice

If it’s not fresh squeezed, we don’t want it!

Club soda

Topping with club soda keeps it light and bubbly. Add just before serving for max fizz.

Tips for Making the Best Mojito

• Smack your mint (or rub between your hands) before adding to your glass. It also helps makes the Mojito more minty by gently rubbing the inside of the glass with the mint before adding the rest of the ingredients.
• Make sure not to bruise or overly damage the mint leaves as they will become bitter.
• Because a mojito is so simple, with such few ingredients, the quality of each ingredients counts even more. Use a good white rum, homemade syrup, and fresh squeezed lime juice for the best results.

Mojito Variations

Spicy Mojito

Making a Spicy Mojito is just as easy as making one simple swap. Instead of using regular simple syrup, make a spicy simple syrup with jalapeños. You can garnish with jalapeños as well!

Fruity Mojitos

Fresh mint can hold its own, but it also pairs beautifully with so many other fruits, especially citrus! Try a Grapefruit Mojito by adding fresh grapefruit juice or a Coconut Guava Mojito by adding guava juice and swapping the regular simple syrup for coconut syrup.

Can’t decide between a mojito and a margarita? Make a Coconut Margajito!

When to Serve a Mojito

This is a classic Summer Cocktail that begs to be sipped in the sunshine. Serve it at:

• Poolside hangs
• Beach picnics
• Barbecues and patio dinners
• Any afternoon where the vibe is “relaxed and sparkling”