Classic Mojito

Whenever I think of staple summer cocktails, the mojito jumps to mind. Wonderfully simple to make, this refreshing classic cocktail is perfect for when you need to bring the beach vibes to a too-hot summer day. Read on for all my tips to ace this rum cocktail, including the secret that will take your mojito from good to great. (Hint: It’s all in the muddling.)

What People Are Saying:
"A classic for a reason. Great flavor, strong taste!" - ann2554

"Refreshing! Perfect for a hot summer day." - ama1973

What Is A Mojito?

Though there is no agreed upon origin story for the mojito, the cocktail most likely originated in Cuba. All its basic constituents are native to the island: cane sugar, rum, lime, mint. Add in the soda water and you’ve got yourself a classic mojito.

How To Make A Classic Mojito

INGREDIENTS

• Mint: Muddling (i.e., bruising) fresh mint in the glass unleashes essential oils that infuse the cocktail with a cool, thoroughly intoxicating herbal flavor.
• Rum: I prefer to use a light rum. Its light body and mild flavor are just right for a mojito. Use your favorite brand or check out our favorite rum brands.
• Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice gives the drink a sharp, citrusy kick that makes every sip downright invigorating.
• Simple Syrup: A great mojito strikes an ideal balance of tart and sweet. While some mojito recipes draw their sweetness from granulated sugar, I prefer to use simple syrup because it blends in more evenly. You can buy it store-bought, but homemade simple syrup is so drop-dead easy to whip up that there’s no reason to pay extra for it. Make yourself a batch and keep it around for use in countless other cocktails; it keeps indefinitely in the fridge.
• Soda Water: Topping off the cocktail with soda water adds some lively fizz that keeps things light and refreshing while leaving all the flavors intact.
• Lime Wheel: This garnish not only looks pretty but offers a bright, aromatic sneak peek at the flavors that await.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

The key to a good mojito? It’s all in the muddling. Add the rum, lime juice, simple syrup, and mint leaves to a Collins glass, then muddle the mint just enough so the leaves emit their natural oils but not so much that they break into pieces, about 15 to 20 seconds.

Now fill the glass with ice, top off with soda water, and stir gently just to mix the flavors. Garnish with a lime wheel and get to sipping!

Full list of ingredients and directions can be found in the recipe below.

Recipe Tips

• Do I need a muddler? A muddler is a bar tool similar to a wooden pestle. But unlike the pestle, which exists to crush, a muddler’s purpose is to bruise. It's intended for ingredients like citrus and herbs, which are muddled to release their essential oils and/or juice. If you don’t have a muddler, no problem! The handle of a wooden spoon will accomplish the same job.