Mojito Recipe: How to Make the Perfect Mojito at Home
As a proud Cuban, nothing takes me back to my fun university days in Havana quite like the crisp, refreshing taste of a mojito. One sip and I am instantly transported to warm nights filled with music, laughter, and dancing under the stars with my best friends.
This cocktail is more than just a drink! It is a vibrant symbol of summer, local gatherings, and the joyful rhythm of life in Cuba. The blend of fresh mint, lime, and light rum creates a harmony of flavors that instantly transports me to sunlit afternoons spent with loved ones on warm Havana porches.
After tasting mojitos at many restaurants, I realized that nothing compares to crafting a mojito at home the way I learned to do it back in Cuba, where the original mojito recipe was born. Sharing this recipe with you is like opening a door to the rich culture and joyful spirit of my homeland.
This mojito recipe carries with it the soul of Cuban culture and a celebration of natural, vibrant ingredients. Every sip tells a story of tropical breezes and laughter, of memories made and moments cherished.
Sharing this recipe is my way of inviting you to bring a taste of Cuba into your own life. It is a drink designed to refresh the spirit and awaken the senses, perfect for summer afternoons or fun parties. Embrace the fun flavors and colors of this classic rum cocktail and let it inspire your own gatherings.
Ingredients for a Classic Mojito
Fresh mint leaves: Fresh mint is the soul of a mojito. Its vibrant aroma and flavor give the cocktail its signature freshness and a touch of herbal magic. Back home, we used to make it with yerba buena, which has a milder, more delicate taste, but mint is a close second and works beautifully in this classic recipe.
Lime: Freshly squeezed lime juice adds the bright, citrusy flavor that balances the sweetness and brings out the crispness of the other ingredients.
White Sugar: White sugar adds the necessary sweetness to this recipe and helps release the mint’s essential oils when muddled, enhancing the overall flavor. While some people use simple syrup or honey for convenience, a true Cuban mojito stays loyal to tradition by using real granulated sugar. This not only preserves the authentic texture but also delivers the bold, unaltered flavor that defines the original recipe. Since simple syrup dilutes the sugar with water, it can subtly change the taste and experience of the drink.
White Rum: White rum is the classic spirit used in a mojito. It offers smooth, subtle notes of sugarcane that blend beautifully with the mint and lime. My favorite is Havana Club, of course, but since it’s not available in the U.S., we typically use Bacardi as a solid and accessible alternative.
Club Soda: Club soda adds the perfect fizz, giving the mojito its light, bubbly texture and making it extra refreshing.
Ice Cubes: Ice keeps your mojito chilled and invigorating, perfect for hot summer days or any time you want a cool, crisp cocktail. If you want it extra refreshing or slightly slushy, use crushed ice instead of whole cubes for that classic mojito texture.
Mojito Equipment
These are the tools and equipment we use to make mojitos at home. They make the process really easy!
How to Make a Mojito Step-by-Step
First, place the fresh mint leaves into a sturdy, tall glass. Using a muddler, press down or muddle the mint to release its fragrant oils without tearing the leaves too much. Add the juice of half a lime along with two teaspoons of white sugar.
Give the ingredients a gentle muddle again for a moment or two to mix the flavors well and help dissolve the sugar, being careful not to over-crush the mint, which can make the drink bitter.
Then, pour in the white rum and stir the mixture thoroughly until the sugar is mostly dissolved and the flavors start to meld together.
Next, fill your glass with ice or crushed ice for a more slushy texture. Slowly top off the drink with sparkling water or club soda to add the bubbly finish. Gently stir and combine all the ingredients evenly without flattening the carbonation.
Last but not least, garnish your mojito with mint and a fresh lime wedge. Serve the cocktail immediately to enjoy it at its freshest, when the mint’s fragrance and the crisp citrus notes shine through. This simple yet classic method ensures a perfectly balanced, refreshing mojito every time.
Mojito Pitcher Recipe, Tips, Tricks, and More
If you are making mojitos for a large group of friends and family, simply follow the same recipe and multiply the ingredients by the number of people you are serving. It is an easy way to scale the drink and turn it into a mojito pitcher recipe, all without losing its balance or flavor.
For a frozen version, use the same ingredients and measurements, then blend everything together with ice until smooth. This icy twist is perfect for hot days and adds a fun texture to the classic drink.
Always use a high-quality white rum. The flavor of the rum plays a big role in the final result, so choosing a good one will make your mojito taste even better.
For a kid-friendly or non-alcoholic version, substitute the rum with extra club soda or sparkling water. The result is still light, refreshing, and full of mint and lime flavor, making it a great option for guests of all ages.
If you want to add a fun flavor twist, try blending in ripe strawberries for a smooth fruity layer or using coconut rum for a creamy island-inspired version. These combinations are also quite popular for beach days or summer parties.
Mojito Recipe
Discover how to make the best Cuban mojito recipe, just like I learned in my hometown of Havana. This refreshing cocktail combines white rum, fresh mint, lime juice, and white sugar to create the perfect balance of flavors. It’s a classic mojito enjoyed all across Cuba, and now you can make it at home.
Ingredients
- 10 to 12 fresh mint leaves
- Juice of 1/2 lime
- 2 teaspoons white fine sugar
- 50 ml white rum
- Club soda
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Muddle mint leaves gently in a tall glass to release their oils.
- Add lime juice and sugar, then muddle lightly to combine.
- Pour in white rum and stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Fill the glass with ice.
- Top with club soda and stir.
- Decorate it with a lime wedge and mint. Serve immediately.
Love This Mojito Recipe? Let the Celebration Continue
We hope you enjoyed making and sipping this refreshing mojito as much as we do. Let us know in the comments how it turned out for you. Did it transport you to a sunny afternoon in Havana or become your new favorite summer rum cocktail?
For more family recipes and inspiration, visit our Wellness section, where you will find how to make yogurt from scratch, holiday drink ideas, and seasonal dinner recipes that are perfect for entertaining or simply relaxing.
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Besitos,
Laura