Classic Mojito Recipe: Authentic Cuban Rum Cocktail Guide

With only five ingredients, this Classic Mojito comes together in minutes. Enjoy a single cocktail (or two) for yourself, or prepare a pitcher for a crowd. The bright combination of mint and lime makes this an ideal summer refreshment.

An Easy Mojito Recipe

Minty and light, the mojito is perfect for sipping by the pool, at picnics, or beside the grill. It’s quick to make and scales easily: prepare a single glass in minutes, or muddle ingredients in a pitcher in advance and add club soda and ice right before serving for effortless entertaining.

Mojito Ingredients

What’s in a mojito? A classic mojito requires just five ingredients. For the best flavor, use fresh components and a good-quality rum. (See the recipe card below for exact measurements.)

• Lime – Choose limes that are firm and deep green with no soft spots.
• Mint leaves – Fresh mint is essential; it’s the flavor star of the drink.
• Simple syrup – Store-bought is convenient, but homemade (equal parts sugar and water, dissolved) works great.
• White rum – A light, clean white rum like Bacardi or other quality brands is traditional.
• Club soda – Adds effervescence; you can swap in lemon-lime soda for a sweeter drink.

What alcohol is in a mojito?

White rum is the classic choice for mojitos. Its subtle sweetness pairs well with lime and mint, so quality matters when you’re working with just a few ingredients. If you prefer, vodka can be used as an alternative (often listed on menus as a “Vodka Mojito”), though it produces a different flavor profile.

How To Make a Mojito

Whether you’re making one glass or a pitcher, mojitos are fast and straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a fresh, aromatic drink:

• Muddle the lime and mint. Place lime wedges and mint leaves in the bottom of a highball glass and crush them with a muddler to release the oils and juice.
• Add the other ingredients. Fill the glass with ice, then add simple syrup and white rum. Top with club soda and gently stir.
• Garnish and enjoy. Finish with extra mint sprigs and a lime wedge for a crisp presentation.

How to Make Simple Syrup for Mojitos

Simple syrup is equal parts sugar and water heated until the sugar dissolves. Let it cool, then store in the refrigerator for up to a month. It blends smoothly into cold drinks and is ideal for cocktails like the mojito.

Easy Variations

Adapt the classic mojito to suit your occasion or guests with these easy variations.

• Virgin mojito. Omit the rum and use club soda or lemon-lime soda for a nonalcoholic version. Swapping in lemon-lime soda gives a sweeter, more soda-forward mocktail.
• Pitcher of mojitos. Muddle limes and mint directly in a pitcher, add rum and simple syrup, and refrigerate. Add ice and top each glass with club soda just before serving to preserve the bubbles. A pitcher can yield many servings depending on how you dilute and whether you add soda at service time.
• Strawberry mojito. Add a few fresh strawberries when muddling the lime and mint for a fruity twist. You can also blend and freeze strawberries for a frozen strawberry mojito.

Serving Suggestions

Serve mojitos cold over ice and garnish with extra lime wedges and mint. For a festive touch, add colorful straws or a cocktail umbrella. The drink is best enjoyed fresh to preserve the mint aroma and soda fizz.

Can You Make Mojitos In Advance?

Yes. Prepare the lime, mint, simple syrup, and rum in a pitcher ahead of time and refrigerate. Add club soda and ice right before serving to keep the drink bubbly. Allowing the mixture to sit briefly lets the mint and lime infuse the rum for extra flavor.

Recipe