Classic Mojito

Classic Mojito

Cuba's iconic highball of rum, lime, mint, and sugar lengthened with bubbly soda for ultimate refreshment.

11%

ABV

medium

Difficulty

highball

Glass

Flavor Profile

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.

Ingredients

Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.

Method

Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.

1

Place mint leaves and syrup in a chilled highball glass and gently muddle to release oils

2

Add lime juice and rum, then fill glass with crushed ice

3

Top with chilled soda water and give a brief bottom-up stir

4

Slap a mint sprig to awaken aroma and tuck alongside a spent lime shell

Glassware

highball

Built and served over crushed ice in a tall glass

Garnish

Mint sprig

Slapped to release oils

Lime wheel

Thin slice

Optional

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

Flavor Journey

Every great cocktail tells a story through its flavors. Here's the sensory experience you can expect.

6

Sweet

out of 10

5

Sour

out of 10

1

Bitter

out of 10

4

Strong

out of 10

Variations & Riffs

Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Classic Mojito.

Angostura Topper

Minor Tweak

A dash or two of aromatic bitters floated on top adds spice and color streaks.

Changes
Soda Water:2 oz1.8 oz
Fresh Mint Leaves:10 leaves12 leaves

Demerara Mojito

Minor Tweak

Uses demerara syrup for a richer molasses sweetness.

Changes
Simple SyrupDemerara Syrup(0.8 oz)

Dirty Mojito

Major Variation

Dark rum and demerara sugar lend caramel depth to the classic highball.

Changes
White RumAged Rum(2 oz)

Queen's Park Swizzle

Major Variation

Trinidad's swizzle riff built with dark rum and Angostura bitters.

Changes
White RumDark Rum(2 oz)

More to Explore

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Classic Mojito Cocktail Recipe - medium 11% ABV | Garnish