Mojito Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our affiliate policy.

This easy, classic Mojito Recipe will quench your thirst on the hottest summer days. The combination of mint, lime, and bubbles is oh-so refreshing, and it’s easy to make with only 5 ingredients.

A glass with a Mojito cocktail.


 

Hailing from Havana, Cuba, the best mojito recipe is sharp with lime and rum, sweetened with mint and sugar, and bubbly on your tongue. Crisp and refreshing, it’s an ideal tropical drink and perfect for a hot day.

The original mojitos were made with a local sugar cane-based rum called aguardiente, which means “burning water,” and other plentiful ingredients including fresh lime juice, sugar cane, and mint. Today we add soda water, club soda, or sparkling water and some lime slices for garnish.

Recipe ingredients

Mojito ingredients labeled.

At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.

Ingredient notes

  • Mint: Mojitos are typically made with spearmint, not peppermint.
  • Sugar: Or substitute agave, honey, or simple syrup and add it to taste. However, the grittiness of granulated sugar adds texture and is part of the charm of a mojito.
  • Rum: Any white rum that you find at the grocery store will work here. The best rum for a Mojito is the one that lets the lime and mint shine.
  • Club soda: Or choose sparkling water or even a sweetened soda such as Sprite or 7Up. 

Step-by-step instructions

  1. In a medium sturdy glass, add mint leaves, 3 lime wedges, and the sugar. Use a muddler to crush them together, releasing the mint oils and the lime juice.
Muddling mint and lime in the bottom of a glass for a mojito.
  1. Fill the glass with ice. Add rum, top with club soda, and garnish with mint leaves and remaining lime wedge.
Adding club soda to a Mojito.

Recipe tips and variations

  • Yield: This recipe makes 1 cocktail.
  • Glassware: This Cuban cocktail is traditionally made in a highball glass, an 8-ounce to 12-ounce glass tumbler such as a Collins glass.
  • Big Batch: To make a pitcher of 8 Mojitos, muddle 80 mint leaves (about 4 ounces or 2-3 bunches) with the juice of 4 limes and ½ cup sugar (or more to taste). Add 1 ½ cups (12 ounces) white rum. Add ice and top with club soda.
  • No muddler: If you don’t have a cocktail muddler, use the handle of wooden spoon or just shake everything together in a cocktail shaker (you can read all about my favorite cocktail shakers, too).
  • Havana additions: Many hotels in Havana, Cuba add Angostura bitters or use lemon juice instead of lime juice.
  • Nojito: The non-alcoholic Mojito mocktail is made without rum.
  • Cojito: Substitute coconut-flavored rum for even more tropical flavor.
  • Mojito Blanco: This Mexican variation uses tequila instead of rum.
  • Strawberry mojito: Make a classic Mojito as directed except also muddle one more strawberries in the bottom of the glass with the sugar, lime juice, and mint. Stir in club soda and garnish the cocktail with a fresh strawberry.
  • Mojito variations: Add fruit juice or puree such as blackberries, grapefruit, pears, oranges, mango, pineapple, watermelon, cucumber, or berries.
  • South Side: Substitute gin for the rum (add seltzer for a South Side Fizz).
A glass with a Mojito cocktail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are mojitos from?

Mojitos were created in Havana, Cuba, probably in the 19th century.

What is a classic mojito made of?

A classic mojito is made of rum, lime, mint, and sugar.

What alcohol is best for mojitos?

Choose a white rum that can support the flavors of lime, mint, and sugar without overpowering them.

More rum cocktails

Join Us

HUNGRY FOR MORE? Sign up for our weekly newsletter and follow along on FacebookPinterest, and Instagram for our latest recipes! Tag all your glorious creations #culinaryhill so we can eat vicariously through you.
A glass with a Mojito cocktail.

Mojito Recipe

This easy, classic Mojito Recipe will quench your thirst on the hottest summer days. The combination of mint, lime, and bubbles is oh-so refreshing, and it's easy to make with only 5 ingredients.
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 1 serving
Course Drinks
Cuisine Cuban
Calories 208
5 from 1 vote

Ingredients 

  • 10 fresh mint leaves plus more for garnish (see note 1)
  • 1/2 lime cut into 4 wedges, divided
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar or to taste (see note 2)
  • 1 cup ice cubes
  • 1 1/2 ounces white rum (3 tablespoons, see note 3)
  • 1/2 cup club soda (see note 4)

Instructions 

  • In a highball glass, add mint leaves, 2 lime wedges, and the sugar. Use a muddler to crush them together, releasing the mint oils and the lime juice.
  • Fill the glass with ice. Add rum, top with club soda, and garnish with mint leaves and remaining lime wedges.

Recipe Video

Notes

  1. Mint: Mojitos are typically made with spearmint, not peppermint.
  2. Sugar: Or substitute agave, honey, or simple syrup and add it to taste. However, the grittiness of granulated sugar adds texture and is part of the charm of a mojito.
  3. Rum: Any white rum that you find at the grocery store will work here. The best rum for a Mojito is the one that lets the lime and mint shine.
  4. Club soda: Or choose sparkling water or even a sweetened soda such as Sprite of 7Up. 
  5. Yield: This recipe makes 1 cocktail.
  6. Glassware: This Cuban cocktail is traditionally made in a highball glass, an 8-ounce to 12-ounce glass tumbler such as a Collins glass.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 cocktailCalories: 208kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 41mgPotassium: 95mgFiber: 2gSugar: 25gVitamin A: 442IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 49mgIron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag @culinaryhill on Instagram so we can admire your masterpiece! #culinaryhill
Website | + posts

Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.

Quick & Easy Meals in Under 30 Minutes!
15 simple recipes for busy weeknights.

You May Also Like

Questions and Comments

Thank you for your comments! Please allow 1-2 business days for a reply. Our business hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am PST to 5:00 pm PST, excluding holidays. Comments are moderated to prevent spam and profanity.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.