CLASSIC MOJITO

A mojito is easily one of my favorite drinks. Fresh mint? Yum. Lime? Yum. Rum? Definitely yum! Put them all together with a little sweetness and plenty of fizz, and you have the perfect drink for a hot summer day.

I’ve always loved fizzy drinks, so the club soda is one of my favorite parts. It keeps the mojito light, bubbly, and extra refreshing without taking away from the fresh lime and mint flavors.

I also prefer shaking my mojitos instead of muddling the mint. I gently clap the mint leaves between my hands to release their oils and fresh aroma, then add them to the shaker with the other ingredients. Shaking creates those tiny little pieces of ice that I love, while the mint stays fresh instead of becoming crushed and bitter.

Add fresh lime juice, simple syrup, light rum, and ice, give everything a good shake, then pour it into a tall glass and finish it with bubbly club soda. It feels a little special but takes only a few minutes to make.

This is the kind of drink I want at a summer barbecue, by the pool, during taco night, or anytime the weather is hot and I want something cold and refreshing.

Fresh, fizzy, citrusy, and filled with mint, this Classic Mojito is everything I love in one glass. Serve it ice cold, add plenty of lime and mint, and drink up! ♥

Classic Mojito

Prep Time: 2 minutes | Make Time: 5 minutes | Total Time: 7 minutes | Servings: 1

Ingredients

• 8–10 fresh mint leaves
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1–2 teaspoons Simple Syrup (see recipe)
• 1½ ounces light rum
• Ice, as needed
• Club soda, to top
• Lime wedges and a fresh mint sprig, for garnish

Directions

1. Rinse and gently pat the mint leaves dry. Place them between your palms and clap once or twice to release their essential oils and enhance their flavor and aroma.
2. Add the mint leaves, lime juice, simple syrup, light rum, and ice to a cocktail shaker. Cover and shake well.
3. Fill a tall glass with ice, then pour in the full contents of the shaker.
4. Top with club soda and gently stir.
5. Garnish with a lime wedge and fresh mint sprig.
6. Serve immediately and drink up!

Jesse’s Kitchen Tip

Clap the mint gently between your palms instead of crushing it. This releases the fresh aroma and oils without making the drink bitter. Always use fresh lime juice for the brightest flavor.

Serving Suggestions

♥ Summer barbecues
♥ Taco night
♥ Poolside gatherings
♥ Brunch with friends
♥ Grilled chicken, steak, or seafood

Storage

Best enjoyed immediately. If preparing ahead, combine the lime juice, simple syrup, rum, and mint and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 24 hours. Add ice and club soda just before serving.

Do not store the fully assembled drink, as it will become diluted and lose its fizz.

Serving

Serve immediately over plenty of ice. Add the club soda last to keep the mojito crisp and bubbly, then gently stir before serving.

Variations

♥ Add muddled strawberries, raspberries, or mango.
♥ Use coconut rum for a tropical twist.
♥ Add sliced jalapeño for a spicy mojito.
♥ Swap the lime for lemon or blood orange.
♥ Omit the rum and add extra club soda for a mocktail.

Mocktail Friendly?

• Omit the rum.
• Add extra club soda or sparkling water.
• Adjust the simple syrup and lime juice to taste.
• Garnish with lime and mint as usual.

RDH Tip

Lime juice and simple syrup expose teeth to both acid and sugar. Avoid sipping slowly for long periods, rinse with water afterward, and wait 30 minutes before brushing. 

- From the first clap of fresh mint to the last cold, fizzy sip, this is the drink I’ll be making all summer long. ♥