Classic Mojito
Cuba's iconic highball of rum, lime, mint, and sugar lengthened with bubbly soda for ultimate refreshment.
11%
ABV
205
Calories
Highball
Glass
Flavor Profile
Flavor Journey
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Place mint leaves and syrup in a chilled highball glass and gently muddle to release oils
Add lime juice and rum, then fill glass with crushed ice
Top with chilled soda water and give a brief bottom-up stir
Slap a mint sprig to awaken aroma and tuck alongside a spent lime shell
Glassware
Built and served over crushed ice in a tall glass
Garnish
Slapped to release oils
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Use chilled, highly carbonated soda to keep the drink lively
Avoid shredding the mint which releases bitter chlorophyll
Crushed ice provides optimal dilution and texture
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Classic Mojito.
Other Variations
Angostura Topper
A dash or two of aromatic bitters floated on top adds spice and color streaks.
Changes
Demerara Mojito
Uses demerara syrup for a richer molasses sweetness.
Changes
History & Heritage
“Precursors to the Mojito trace back to the 16th‑century draque, a mixture of aguardiente, lime, sugar, and mint used by Cuban sailors for its medicinal bite. Over time the formula was refined with column‑distilled rum and became a Havana staple, famously served at La Bodeguita del Medio where Ernest Hemingway helped popularize it with tourists in the mid‑20th century. Its breezy balance of sweet, sour, and herbal notes made the Mojito a global standard for warm‑weather drinking.”
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Ron Collins
A deceptively simple and profoundly refreshing cocktail that marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of the Collins family of drinks. It transforms the gin-based Tom Collins into a distinctly Caribbean icon with Cuban-style rum.
Virgin Mojito
All the mint-lime sparkle of a Mojito minus the rum, a staple of modern mocktail menus.
Southside Fizz
A timeless and refreshing cocktail that elegantly marries the botanical complexities of gin with the bright, aromatic notes of fresh mint and citrus, all lifted by the effervescence of soda water.