Mojito Cocktail Recipe

Taste
Light, Fresh & Zesty

Skill Level
Easy to Medium

Prep Time
5 Minutes

A timeless Cuban classic, the Mojito is the embodiment of sunshine in a glass. Blending crisp white rum, zesty lime, aromatic mint and sparkling soda water, it’s the kind of drink that instantly transports you to a warm terrace in Havana. Its light, refreshing nature makes it the perfect choice for long summer afternoons, al fresco gatherings, or simply winding down at the end of the day.

Unlike heavier cocktails, the Mojito is wonderfully easy to make at home. With just a few fresh ingredients and a little technique, you can create something that tastes every bit as good as it looks - clean, bright, and perfectly balanced between sweetness and citrus sharpness.

• 50ml white rum
  

• 1 fresh lime, cut into wedges
  

• 2 teaspoons sugar (or simple syrup if preferred)
  

• A small handful of fresh mint leaves
  

• Soda water (to top)
  

• Crushed ice
  

• A sturdy glass, ideally a highball or Collins glass
  

• A muddler (or the back of a spoon will do in a pinch)
  

• A bar spoon or long-handled stirrer
  

• A measuring jigger to ensure perfect proportions
  

• Optional: a cocktail shaker for a slightly smoother finish
  
  

1. Muddle the lime and sugar – Place the lime wedges and sugar into your glass. Use a muddler or the back of a spoon to press gently, releasing the lime juice and fragrant oils from the zest. This forms the base of your cocktail.
   
   

2. Add the mint – Clap the mint leaves between your hands to awaken their aroma before dropping them into the glass. Press them lightly with the muddler, just enough to bruise the leaves and release flavour without tearing them.
   
   

3. Pour in the rum – Add the white rum and stir to blend the citrus, sugar and mint. The rum should dissolve the sugar and carry the flavours through the drink.
   
   

4. Add the ice – Fill the glass to the brim with crushed ice. This chills the drink quickly and creates that classic frosted look.
   
   

5. Top with soda water – Pour in soda water and stir gently, lifting the mint and lime pieces through the mixture for an even taste.
   
   

6. Garnish and serve – Finish with a fresh sprig of mint and a wedge of lime. Serve immediately with a straw or sip straight from the glass for the full experience.
   
   

• Go easy on the mint. Over-muddling releases bitterness from the leaves, a light press is enough.
  
  

• Use crushed ice, not cubes, for the proper texture and dilution. It keeps the drink cool without overwhelming it with water.
  
  

• Choose a good quality white rum. Something smooth and light works best; avoid anything too dark or spiced as it can overpower the freshness.
  
  

• Sweetness is personal. Adjust the sugar or syrup to your own taste, more for a mellow drink, less for a sharper edge.
  
  

• Chill everything first. A cold glass, cold soda and chilled rum make a world of difference to the final flavour.
  
  

• Use fresh ingredients only. Bottled lime juice or dried mint will never deliver the same crispness as the real thing.
  
  

If you love the Mojito’s balance of citrus, sweetness and fizz, you’ll likely enjoy these classics too:

• Cuba Libre – Rum, cola and lime for a smooth, darker twist on the theme.
  
  

• Strawberry Daiquiri – A fruity, frozen favourite with the same bright rum base.
  
  

• Honey Bee – A zesty rum serve with Sicilian lemonade and lime.
  
  

The Mojito’s origins stretch back several centuries, making it one of the oldest surviving rum cocktails. It’s believed to have evolved from a 16th-century mixture known as “El Draque,” named after the English privateer Sir Francis Drake. Sailors would combine crude rum (then called aguardiente), lime, sugar, and mint to make it more palatable, and to help ward off scurvy during long voyages.

By the early 20th century, the drink had been refined into the version we recognise today and became a staple of Cuban cocktail culture. The La Bodeguita del Medio bar in Havana is often credited as the birthplace of the modern Mojito, and famously counted Ernest Hemingway among its regulars. His endorsement helped turn the Mojito into an international sensation, symbolising the carefree elegance of Caribbean life.

Today, the Mojito remains a firm favourite across the world. Its simplicity, versatility and unmistakable freshness make it one of the most loved and enduring cocktails ever created.