Classic Mojito Recipe: The Perfect Summer Cocktail
Looking for something to help beat the summer heat? We've got just the thing for you! Mojito, a thirst-quenching rum cocktail, is a popular summer drink that has all the mint, citrus and sweet flavors combined. Perfect for your summer getaway!
Did You Know? National Mojito Day is celebrated every July 11 in the US. Share this trivia!
Classic Mojito Ingredients:
- 2 oz. light rum
- 2 tsps white sugar
- 8 mint sprigs
- 1 oz. lime juice
- Soda water
Classic Mojito Preparation:
- Muddle the mint leaves, sugar and a splash of soda in a collins glass.
- Add lime juice, rum and crushed ice.
- Top it off with soda water.
- Garnish with mint sprigs or lime wedge and serve.
Watch it here!
Recipe Variations
The cool, refreshing taste of Mojito is what makes it the perfect summer cocktail. Thus, many Mojito Recipes incorporate fruity flavors, as listed below:- Zesty Lemon Lime Mojito - Preparing for a party? This version of Mojito with ginger-infused simple syrup is bound to be a hit.
- Mango Mojito - Tropical fruits are in season, and with mangoes go incredibly well with the classic Mojito recipe.
- Strawberry Mojito - This Strawberry Mojito recipe is one of the favorite variations of the cocktail, with strawberries and simple syrup as added ingredients.
Know Your Ingredients!
Classic Mojito features rum, lime juice and mint sprigs. Find out more about the ingredients here!- Light Rum - Sweet rum that is also known as "white rum" or "silver".
- White Sugar - A common kitchen sweetener made from sugar beets or sugarcane.
- Mint sprigs - Mint stems with several leaves attached. Usually topped as a garnish but in this recipe, it's a main component.
- Fresh lime juice - A necessity in several mixes, lime juice can either handmade or processed.
- Soda water- Carbonated water that can be put in both fruit juices and cocktails. Soda water in this recipe should be enough to fill the glass.
Bar Accessories
Unlike other cocktails, Mojito requires lesser bar equipment, which makes it easier to prepare.- Collins Glass - Mojito is served over ice, so using a collins glass is a must.
- Muddler - An effective tool to combine the ingredients together quickly.
- Jigger - This is a bar equipment that you'll encounter in most (if not all) cocktail recipes, as it is needed to measure the ingredients accurately.
The History
The history of this classic Mojito is rather uncertain. It is a known fact that it originally came from Havana, Cuba, but whoever actually created the drink is still being contested. Several possible sources are known, one being African slaves who worked on sugarcane fields made the drink. Another is dated back in the 1500s, when it was named "El Draque" after Sir Francis Drake, whose crew seeked help from the locals to cure scurvy and dysentery. Being an icon of Cuban culture, Mojito became famous to the world partly because this cocktail is associated with the writer Ernest Hemingway, who absolutely loved the drink. “La Bodeguita del medio”, the restaurant-bar wherein Hemingway was said to have his first glass of Mojito, claims that it was the creation of this Cuban cocktail is their doing.Did You Know? James Bond also played an important part in making the Mojito popular. He is seen having a glass of this cocktail in his movie, Die Another Day (2002). Share this trivia!
The Rise in Fame
Just like with Daiquiri, the demand for this summer classic cocktail also rises every June to July and falls every October to November. People from Réunion, France, Puerto Rico, Sweden and Denmark are the top fans of this drink worldwide. In the States, the highest number of Mojito lovers can be found in Florida, Washington, District of Columbia, Vermont, and New York. Last April, Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abott was caught drinking a can of Mojito on the Transport for London Overground train. Alcohol on TFL is banned, so she issued an apology in a tweet after the news about this act spread.The Perfect Pair
With its Caribbean origin, it's unsurprisingly fitting to pair this cocktail with Caribbean dishes. Some of these are Pumpkin Coconut Curry, Yucatan Shrimp, Grilled Fish, Grilled Scallop Salad or even Taquitos and Quesadillas. These are highly recommended, but Mojito also go well with other savory dishes.See What Others Think
View this post on InstagramSTRAWBERRY MOJITO e ❤️ #aquieolugar #new #drink #strawberry #mojito #sancos
Mojito and Burger craving. ✅ Octopath Traveler. ✅ Alone time. ✅
Aaand it's my favorite day. Happy Thursday! pic.twitter.com/qUsDlKpdru — Bryce (@bryankiguchi) September 12, 2019
In Spanish, the suffix '-ito' means 'small', which hints at the existence of something bigger than "Mojito'': EL MOJO pic.twitter.com/3UhLna9wIZ
— Pablo (@pblocriss) September 11, 2019
We get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Updated: September 18, 2019.
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