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Mojito Cocktail

The best fresh mint mojitos are made by steeping crushed mint in sugar and rum. So refreshing and minty! This rum cocktail hits the spot on a hot summer day.

Garrett McCord
Garrett has been writing about food and sharing recipes for 15 years. He is the author of Melt: The Art of Macaroni and Cheese.
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Garrett McCord
Updated February 08, 2021
Garrett McCord
Fresh mojito with mint and lime served in a tall galss
Elise Bauer

We can wax on about the glory of the mojito – this perfect concoction of rum, mint, sugar, lime juice, and sparkling water -- but I'm guessing you won't need a lot of convincing in that regard.

Instead, let’s discuss the building of the mojito, which in my opinion, is what distinguishes a "good" mojito from a "truly incredible" mojito.

Video: How to Make Mojitos

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Mojitos

Secret to a Better Mojito

Before now, you may have made mojitos like this: You threw some mint, lime juice, and sugar into a glass and then mashed ‘em up with a wooden spoon, or if you were feeling bartender-y, with a fancy muddler. Then you added a little booze and a lot of soda water, resulting in a sparkling, mint salad in a glass with a hint of rum.

No more. You’re better than that, and your mojitos should be too! The better way to make mojitos takes a little more time, patience, and effort, but is well worth it.

Take a mortar and pestle and slowly crush the mint and sugar with a splash of the rum until you have a very fine paste. After that, add the rest of the rum and let it infuse for a few minutes, then strain the mixture, and top with a bare splash of soda.

The result is a mojito that's not only cleaner in appearance (big mint flavor, no floating mint leaves), but also endlessly more flavorful than any mojito you’ve previously experienced.

Mojito
Elise Bauer

The Ingredients for Making a Mojito

A mojito isn't one of those fancy drinks that requires a laundry list of ingredients or special prep work. All you need is the following:

  • Fresh mint
  • Sugar
  • White rum
  • Fresh lime juice
  • Soda water

The Best Rum for Mojitos

Go for white rum in a mojito. This has a cleaner, fresher taste than golden rums, which are aged. Paired with the mint, it makes a light and refreshing cocktail.

Mount Gay or Bacardi Silver are both smooth and affordable options.

Mojitos for a Crowd

Using a mortar and pestle is the way to go for one simply perfect cocktail, but that's not going to fly at a party.

To make mojitos for a crowd, scale up the ingredients as much as you'd like and puree them in a blender or food processor. Let steep for about 5 minutes, then strain through a fine-mesh strainer (line it with a coffee filter if you'd like to catch every particle of mint).

This infused rum mixture can be made a few hours ahead of your party and kept refrigerate.

More Favorite Rum Drinks!

Mojito Cocktail

Prep Time 5 mins
Total Time 5 mins
Serving 1 drink
A mortar and pestle are really the best tools for this recipe, but if you don't have one, then chop the mint as finely as you can, then smash it with a fork in a small bowl to mix it with the sugar and rum. You can also puree the mint, sugar, and all of the rum in a clean spice grinder. Traditionally, you would use a highball glass for mojitos, but it's fine to use whatever glass you like for your cocktail.

Ingredients

  • 10 large mint leaves, plus extra for garnish
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 1/2 ounces white rum
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice (from half a lime)
  • Soda water
  • A few sprigs fresh mint, to garnish
  • Thinly sliced wheels of lime, to garnish

Method

  1. Make the mint paste:

    Place the mint, sugar, and 1/2 ounce of the rum into the bottom of a mortar and pestle, and grind slowly until it turns into a paste.

    Mash the mint and rum for mojito cocktails in a mortar and pestle
    Elise Bauer
    Add the remaining rum for the mojito drink to the mortar and pestle and let the mixture steep
    Elise Bauer
  2. Add the rest of the rum and allow it to steep for about 5 minutes:

    If your mortar is too small for the additional rum, transfer the paste to a small bowl and then add the rum.

  3. Strain the rum:

    Fill a glass with ice. Set a small mesh strainer over the glass and strain the mint mixture. Use a spoon to press out every last drop of rum from the paste. (Use a large bowl and strainer if that’s all you have then transfer to the glass. Whatever works for you.)

    Strain the mint and rum mixture for mojitos into a glass
    Elise Bauer
  4. Finish the cocktail:

    Add the lime juice and top with soda water. Stir together and garnish with a lime wheel or a sprig of mint if you’re feeling extra fancy.