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How to Make a Classic Mojito (+ Pitcher Recipe!)

A classic mojito is the perfect summer cocktail. It's super refreshing with tons of lime, mint and a little sugar to bring out the flavors. If I could only drink one cocktail for the rest of my life - a classic mojito is at the top of my list! This recipe is easy to follow and I even included a pitcher recipe - because we all know one drink isn't enough.

 

Three glasses with mojito, garnished with lime and fresh mint.

 

Luckily, we can switch things up and drink mojitos one day and other cocktails on other days. I love this apricot rosemary gin fizz, blood orange margarita, cucumber pomegranate vodka lemonade, a rhubarb Moscow mule for early summer and of course the whiskey based Penicillin cocktail.

 

However, you could also make a mojito into a boozy popsicle, and in that post you will find 5 other boozy popsicles recipes as well. It is quite easy to get your favorite cocktails to freeze nicely, with just a few simple tricks.

 

Two glasses with mojito, lime and mint leaves. Flatlay.

 

As much as we would like, drinking only alcoholic drinks during the summer isn't going to cut it. For a hydrating and refreshing non-alcoholic drink I recommend hibiscus tea, ginger lemon iced tea and homemade berry cordial.

 

What is a mojito? Where does it come from?

 

Mojito is just the best cocktail ever. It originated in Cuba when their rum wasn't great. To mask the unpleasant taste of the rum, they made it tastier by adding lime, mint and sugar.

 

During the Prohibition Era in the States, it became popular to travel to Cuba. That is when the cocktail reached international stardom. Today, the rum has gotten better, but this tropical drink is still somewhere at the top of the list of cocktails ordered. I know for sure it is at the top of my list at least!

 

Two glasses on a wooden board, filled with mojito, lime and mint.

 

I have tried Cuban mojitos in Cuba. And I need to be honest, that stuff is STRONG. I bet they had three times as much rum as I have in this recipe, maybe even more. The mojito is, in my opinion, much better when lime, sugar and mint highlights the drink and is not masked by way too much rum.

 

But either way, the beauty of a mojito is that you can add and subtract as much as you like - as long as you have the basic mojito ingredients there!

 

Ingredients to make the best classic mojito

 

What's in a mojito is just a few basic ingredients:

 

  • White rum
  • Lime juice
  • Sugar
  • Fresh mint
  • Club soda / soda water
  • Ice, preferably crushed

 

Because this cocktail has so few ingredients, it's important that the ingredients are of high quality. Hello freshly squeezed lime juice! You can use any kind of sparkling water or soda you like, I sometimes even use a citrus flavored soda like Sprite. It comes down to your own preference - but something fizzy!

 

To make a ginger mojito: Use ginger beer instead of soda water, and muddle a little fresh ginger along with the mint and sugar!

 

Ingredients to make a classic mojito.

 

What rum is best to use?

 

I am not saying your rum has to be expensive. Not at all! After all, the bartenders masked the taste of bad quality rum when making a mojito in the past, so you can get away with a decent white rum. But don't use a spiced rum, because the spices crash with the freshness of citrus and mint!

 

Old fashioned glasses filled with mojito, garnished with lime and mint. Small 'palm tree' in the background.

 

I usually use a Bacardí Carta Blanca as in the photos here (not sponsored!), or Havana Club Anejo Blanco. To site Bacardí's own website, a Bacardí Carta Blanca is smooth and subtle with notes of almond and vanilla, it doesn't dominate like gin or disappear like vodka. Perfect for classic rum cocktails like the Mojito. Further reading: 5 Best Rums for Your Mojito.

 

Do you shake a mojito?

 

I do understand this question. As a general rule, citrusy drinks should be shaken. However, a classic mojito is just stirred. A cocktail with club soda shouldn't be shaken, although you could shake the drink before adding the club soda. But stirring is just even easier right - no need to clean a shaker!

 

Mojito with simple syrup instead

 

Many don't like it when there's sugar granules in their cocktails. Stirring should dissolve the sugar completely, but it takes a few minutes (like in this vodka lemonade). Real sugar will taste better and more authentic. However, a simple syrup can be an easy way to be completely sure there aren't any sugar granules.

 

Two glasses on top of a wooden board. Filled with mojito and garnished with lime and mint.

 

Because a simple syrup is 1 part sugar and 1 part water, you should use the double amount of simple syrup than regular caster sugar. To make a simple syrup, add equal parts sugar and water to a saucepan. On medium heat, stir until the sugar has dissolved. Set aside to cool completely and store covered in the fridge. It's perfect when you want a quick drink such as a whiskey sour.

 

Virgin Mojito Recipe

 

As I mentioned above, we just can't always rely solely on alcoholic beverages all summer long. To make a mojito virgin, or known as a mojito mocktail (which just means non-alcoholic), you can simply add sparkling water/club soda instead of the white rum. Easy and delicious!

 

How to make a classic mojito

 

To  make mojito from scratch is the only way to make mojito. In a glass, add freshly squeezed lime juice, sugar and fresh mint leaves. Muddle with the end of a large wooden spoon or anything similar in shape. Muddling releases the juices from the mint and the mint, sugar and lime juice incorporates perfectly with the alcohol.

 

Steps to make a classic mojito cocktail.

 

Rub the glass with fresh mint. Fill the glass ⅔ with crushed ice, pour over the rum and stir until the sugar dissolves. Once dissolved, add in club soda or any sparkling water. Even citrus flavored soda can work, like Sprite, although the drink will be a little sweeter.

 

Garnish with lime wedges and more fresh mint.

 

How to make a pitcher full

 

A mojito is perfect to make as a pitcher drink. It is also fairly light, about the same alcoholic content as a glass of wine. So a glass or two or three is totally acceptable (in my book at least!). Invite all your friends and enjoy this pitcher mojito and a watermelon salad!

 

It is actually literally the same method as in a glass, only that it's larger quantities of ingredients. Add lime juice, sugar and mint into a pitcher and muddle to release the juices and blend the flavors. I like to add in the squeezed limes as well. Add in ice and white rum and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Top with club soda. Perfect for about 6 glasses!

 

Garnish with more lime wedges and fresh mint - both in the glasses and in the pitcher. Enjoy!

 

Three glasses filled with mint, lime and mojito.

 

Did you like this classic mojito recipe? Here's more refreshing drinks:

 

 

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Comment below or tag me @thegingerwithspice on Instagram. And don’t forget to Pin it for later! To make sure you’re never missing another recipe, please feel free to subscribe to my newsletter. As a thanks you will receive a free e-cookbook Travels Through the Seasons, with many delicious recipes from around the world that suit different seasons of the year. 

 

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📖 Recipe

Three glasses with mojito, garnished with lime and fresh mint.

How to Make a Classic Mojito (+ Pitcher Recipe!)

Yield: 1 people
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

A classic mojito is the perfect summer cocktail. It's super refreshing with tons of lime, mint and a little sugar. So good we need a whole pitcher of it!

Ingredients

1 Mojito Cocktail

  • 3 tablespoon white rum, 1 ½ oz. E.g. Bacardi or Havana Club
  • 3 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice, 1 ½ oz. About 1 ½ lime.
  • 10 fresh mint leaves
  • 1 tablespoon caster sugar, Or to taste.*
  • 2 tablespoon club soda, 1 oz. Any sparkling water

Mojito Pitcher (6 glasses)

  • 1 cup + 2 tablespoon white rum, 270ml.
  • 1 cup + 2 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice, 270ml. About 9 limes.
  • 1 pot fresh mint leaves, Reserve some for garnish
  • 6 tablespoon caster sugar
  • ¾ cup club soda, 180ml. Or to fill the pitcher!

Instructions

  1. In a glass, add freshly squeezed lime juice, sugar and fresh mint leaves. Muddle with the end of a large wooden spoon or anything similar in shape. You can also muddle with the squeezed lime wedges in for extra flavor.
  2. Rub the glass with fresh mint. Fill the glass ⅔ with crushed ice, pour over the rum and stir until the sugar dissolves. Once dissolved, add in club soda or any sparkling water.** Garnish with lime wedges and more fresh mint.
  3. To make a pitcher: Use the same method, but in a large pitcher. Add in the squeezed limes as well. No need to rub the rim of the pitcher with mint, but do this on the glasses.

Notes

* If using simple syrup instead, double the amount. 

** Any kind of sparkling water can be used. Even citrus flavored soda like Sprite can work, although the drink will be a little sweeter.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 158Total Fat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 8mgCarbohydrates: 17.6gFiber: 0.4gProtein: 0.3g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or tag @thegingerwithspice on Instagram, I'd love to see!

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Tatiana

Wednesday 30th of March 2022

Mojitos are my favorite on a hot day by the pool!

Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice

Sunday 3rd of April 2022

I 100% agree!

Katrina

Tuesday 29th of March 2022

The perfect cocktail for a crowd!! So fun!

Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice

Sunday 3rd of April 2022

Finally able to serve it to crowds again!

Toni

Tuesday 29th of March 2022

This is such a perfect summer drink!

Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice

Sunday 3rd of April 2022

Aw thank you so much!

Nora

Monday 28th of March 2022

This is such a wonderful and refreshing drink! Can’t wait to make one when I‘ve got friends over. Thank you for sharing this lovely recipe!

Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice

Sunday 3rd of April 2022

Thank you for your comment too! I hope you and your friends will have a great time!

Kari

Monday 13th of July 2020

I just absolutely adore your photos always and that is why I keep visiting your blog. I love a mojito and as a Caribbean girl, it is a favourite cocktail of mime. Your photos elevate it to sublime proportions. .

Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice

Tuesday 14th of July 2020

You are so kind. I always try to make my food and drinks as appetizing as I can! Thank you so much, extra special coming from a Caribbean girl!

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