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This week, on July 11th, was National Mojito Day. I thought I’d share a classic mojito recipe and how to make a mojito without soda for you to enjoy and celebrate this weekend.
A lot of times when you order a mojito, the bartender will make it with some kind of lime soda like sprite, but it just doesn’t taste as good. The best mojitos are made with a simple mojito syrup. I’ve included an easy, homemade recipe that you only need 3 ingredients for.
If you tried the Cherry Limeade Mojito recipe for the Fourth of July, this recipe is similar and even easier because you don’t need cherries.
If you’re unfamiliar with mojitos, it is a refreshing drink that originated from Havana, Cuba made with mint, lime, and rum. It’s truly the perfect summer drink and a great way to cool off from this ridiculous heat wave. (Also, if you’re wondering how to pronounce mojito, the ‘j’ sounds like an ‘h’–so mojito is pronounced “moe-hee-toe.”)
About the Recipe
I like to grow buckets and buckets of mint in the summer just for this drink (yes, it’s really that good!) but if you don’t have mint on hand and are wondering where you can buy mojito mint, your local grocery store should have some small mint packets in the produce section. HEB always has some. Once you try this drink, don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to go out and buy some mint plants of your own!
Mojitos are typically served in a highball glass, but an old fashioned glass will work just as well. (On pool days, I’ll even mix it up in my Yeti to keep it nice and cold.)
We mix mojitos individually at my house, but I’ve also included an option to mix up the mojito recipe for a pitcher.
Classic Mojito Recipe (Without Soda)
Servings: 1 or 16
Mojito Ingredients:
For the Mojito Syrup:
- ⅔ c sugar
- ⅔ c water
- ⅓-½ c fresh mint leaves
For the drink:
- 1 Tbsp mojito syrup (or 1 cup for a pitcher)
- 3 fresh mint leaves (or a handful for a pitcher)
- 1 Tbsp lime juice (or 1 cup for a pitcher)
- 3 Tbsp club soda (or 3 cups for a pitcher)
- 1 oz white rum (¾ cup for a pitcher)
- Slice of lime to garnish (for each glass)
- Crushed ice
MOJITO SYRUP DIRECTIONS
- Add sugar and water to a small pot. Place on low heat and bring to a simmer. Once it simmers, stir the water to help it dissolve.
- Add mint leaves to the pot. Don’t worry about de-stemming the leaves–just put the whole thing in. Let them steep in the simmering syrup for 5-10 minutes. The longer you let it steep, the stronger the flavor will be.
- Strain the syrup into a small container and allow to cool before using to mix up the mojitos.
- Makes enough syrup for 16 drinks.
MOJITO DIRECTIONS
- In a highball glass or pitcher, add mojito syrup and muddle 3 mint leaves at the bottom.
- Add lime juice, club soda, and rum.
- Squeeze a lime wedge into the drink.
- Top off with crushed ice.
- Garnish with blueberries & maraschino cherries on a bamboo cocktail pick to finish it off.
- Enjoy!
