Mojito

Our mojito recipe will have you mixing up this classic Cuban cocktail in no time. A bracing combination of citrus, mint, and rum, the mojito is one of the most popular drinks around, and it's the perfect way to cool down on a summer day. To make it, you’ll need light rum, simple syrup, lime juice, sparkling water, and a handful of fresh mint leaves. Muddling the mint is essential as it releases the oils in the leaves that will flavor the drink. Use a muddler if you have one, or simply employ the handle end of a wooden spoon.

The History of the Mojito

While the exact origin of the mojito is unknown, its roots lie firmly in Havana, Cuba. Versions of the cocktail's birth range from a story involving Sir Francis Drake and scurvy to another that attributes its creation to visiting prohibition-era drinkers searching for a mint julep fix. More recently, the Bacardi rum brand, which was founded in Cuba, and writer Ernest Hemingway have been largely responsible for popularizing the refreshing, mint-forward drink.

Ingredients for Making a Mojito

To mix up a mojito at home, you'll need a tall glass, a tool for muddling, and the following five ingredients:

Rum: Leave the dark rum on the shelf, for this classic cocktail, you want a bottle of light rum, which is preferred for its clarity of color. Use an un-aged rum for a lighter, cleaner taste or an aged rum for a bolder, more robust flavor.

Mint: You'll need eight mint leaves from one fresh-looking bunch for one drink. If you have your pick between different types of mint, seek out spearmint, not peppermint, for the best, most authentic flavor.

Lime: An ounce of lime juice lends a bright acidity to this cocktail. With so few ingredients in this drink, you taste each clearly, so it's best to use fresh lime juice rather than the bottled variety.

Simple syrup: Some mojito recipes call for muddling granulated sugar along with the mint, but we prefer the ease of using simple syrup. This recipe makes one and a half cups, but it'll last in your fridge for weeks and can be used to sweeten anything from lemonade to iced coffee as well.

Carbonated water: After building your cocktail, you'll top it off with plain carbonated water, which mellows out the booziness and ups the refreshment factor. You can use seltzer, club soda, or natural sparkling water with equally good results.

How to Batch Mojitos

For your next barbecue or summer party, consider mixing up a batch of mojitos: Multiply our recipe times six or eight, then muddle the mint in the bottom of a pitcher and stir in the simple syrup, lime juice, and rum. Serve over plenty of ice with soda water and lime wedges.