With fresh mint, lime, and just the right amount of rum, this refreshing Mojito recipe transports you straight to a sunny beach! The secret is all in the homemade mint-lime simple syrup that intensifies all of the flavors. Easily made into a pitcher to share, this cocktail is perfect for any occasion!
This mojito recipe is a copycat of the one we always enjoy in Puerto Rico at our favorite beach bar. The bartender told us they add a homemade Mojito simple syrup to make all the flavors pop, while still keeping it crisp and refreshing. We’ve been making our Mojitos that way ever since and now they are the hit of every party!
“The mint and lime syrup in this mojito recipe truly takes these to the next level! I used Bacardi superior white rum and it was perfect and smooth. Yesterday I made a couple of pitchers for a party and in one of them I used pineapple rum and that just might be my new favorite!” — Brittany, home cook, homesteader, and recipe tester.
Mojito Ingredients
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Rum: Mojitos are traditionally made with white rum, also called silver rum or rum blanco, as it is light and crisp, allowing the other fresh flavors to shine through. I highly recommend splurging for a good quality rum as it does make a difference!
- Mint & Lime Simple Syrup: This requires a combination of granulated sugar, water, mint leaves, and lime juice. It’s the *key* to making the best mojito.
- Fresh Mint and Lime: Don’t use bottled lime juice, the flavor won’t be nearly as bold or refreshing!
- Club Soda: In place of club soda, you can also use sparkling water (if you like your Mojito less sweet) or some people choose to use Sprite or seltzer water. I prefer club soda, as it doesn’t change the overall flavor of the cocktail and keeps it true to the original.
- Ice: You can used crushed ice or ice cubes, whichever you prefer. (Crushed ice melts faster, so I generally prefer ice cubes.)
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How to Make a Mojito
Visit the recipe card below for the full directions.
Strain syrup thoroughly. Use a fine mesh sieve so no small mint bits sneak through. Leftover mint pieces will darken and can affect texture in drinks.
Chill syrup completely before using! Warm syrup melts the ice and waters down your mojito. In a rush? Quickly chill the syrup by transferring it to a cool jar with a lid. Cover the jar with heavily salted ice for 10 minutes, giving the jar a turn every few minutes.
Muddle gently — press, don’t grind. You’re pressing to release the oils, not shredding the mint. Over-muddled mint turns bitter quickly.
Stir gently after adding club soda and taste. Too much stirring flattens the soda. Just a few light turns with a spoon is perfect. Taste and add an extra splash of simple syrup or squeeze of lime, if needed!
Fruity Variations To Try
Looking for more fruity mojito flavors? Try our strawberry mojito, blueberry mojito, coconut mojito or pineapple coconut mojito. You can also experiment with flavored rums, like coconut, pineapple, or mango.
Make-Ahead & Party Tips
For big parties, I recommend making double the syrup batch. Having extra mojito simple syrup on hand lets guests easily adjust the sweetness to their preference.
To make this mojito recipe ahead for a party, follow the steps for making a pitcher of mojitos, but do not add the ice and club soda until you’re ready to serve. Store the muddled mixture in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 12 hours.
Best Mojito Recipe
Ingredients
Mojito Simple Syrup:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 10 mint leaves
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
For a Single Mojito:
- 10 fresh mint leaves
- 2 tablespoons Mojito Simple Syrup
- ½ a lime, cut into 4 wedges
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 2 oz white rum
- club soda, for serving
For a Pitcher of Mojitos:
- 60 mint leaves, plus more for garnish
- 16 oz (2 cups) white rum
- 5 limes
- ½ cup Mojito Simple Syrup
- ice
- club soda
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Instructions
For the Mojito Simple Syrup:
- Add all ingredients to a medium sized pot and bring to a simmer. Place lid on the pot and let simmer for about 10 minutes. (It’s important to keep the lid on or too much of the water will dissolve.)
- Remove from heat and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Strain the simple syrup through a fine mesh sieve to remove the mint leaves and lime wedges. Chill in fridge until cold. Store in an airtight container, in the fridge, for up to 7 days.
For a Single Mojito:
- Place mint leaves and 1 lime wedge into a sturdy glass. Use a muddler to crush the mint and lime to release the mint oils and lime juice. You can also use the end of a wooden spoon as a muddler.
- Add 2 more lime wedges and the simple syrup, and muddle again to release the lime juice. Do not strain the mixture.
- Fill the glass almost to the top with ice. Pour the rum over the ice, and then fill the glass with club soda. Stir, taste, and add more simple syrup if desired. Garnish with the remaining lime wedge and a sugar cane stick, if desired.
For a Pitcher of Mojitos:
- Add the mint leaves, rum, lime juice and mojito simple syrup to a large pitcher. Muddle the mint to release its flavors.
- Fill the pitcher most of the way full with ice. Top with club soda. Serve in tall glasses filled with ice, then garnish with extra mint, lime wedges and a sugar cane stick, if desired.
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Notes
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Nutrition
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More Easy Cocktail Recipes to Try
- Old Fashioned – Keep it timeless and classic.
- Transfusion Cocktail – Sweet and refreshing on a hot day.
- Peach Bellini – Served frozen, it’s always a treat.
- Mexican Candy Shot – With a spicy Tajin rim.
- Frozen Margarita – Always a crowd favorite.
- White Peach Sangria – Perfect light summer drink.
- Bloody Mary – A snack and a cocktail!
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I used this simple syrup recipe to boost the flavors of my mojito cake. It was a great outcome…super tasty and moist.
I found this mojito recipe about 3 years ago, (I’ve made this several times) and every one loves it, or they said best mojito ever , thank you!!
I have made this many times! It never fails, it is refreshing and light.
Thank you for sharing!
Could I use lemons instead of limes?
Hi Pam! Yes, you can, but the flavor will be very different from a true Mojito. 🙂
The hubs streamed the “new” Miami Vice and was inspired to try mojitos. He’s a Dewars & ginger ale man usually, and I’m a tequila lady. I’ve got mounds of fresh mint in the garden, and voila, a most delicious drink for afternoon front porch hummingbird watching. This is our first mojito so can’t compare to other recipes, but we really like it. I’m motivated to make the minty simple syrup.
Thanks Jessica – will try to find limes but not easy living in Hermanus South Africa- and I have a lime tree that will not produce
Great recipe
We did have to add more lime when it came to pitcher size amounts so have more lime on hand, but super refreshing
Sounds delicious! I guess it’s a question of preference, but how much soda for a pitcher would you say?
Hi Cecilia! For a pitcher, I would have a liter of club soda, but you may not use it all. You can add as much club soda as you like. Some people like just enough club soda to make it bubble (that’s how I like them) and some people like a good hearty pour of club soda. It’s a personal choice!
I didn’t think I was a mojito lover, but this recipe made a believer out of me!
This is the best recipe, I put everything together except the club soda and let the mint steep overnight, then fish the mint out, add the club soda and serve over Sonic Ice. I also use lime rum instead of plan rum. It’s a summertime favorite, I take it to pool parties and baseball tailgating, also gone in a short time!
Where did you find the sugar cane sticks?
They sell them locally here in Florida at the grocery stores. I believe you could find them at Total Wine too.
Glad I made the simple syrup with the lime and mint. Like Jennifer, I needed to add additional syrup for sweetness. Squeezed a lime wedge before serving. So refreshing. Great 90 degree summer drink.
I found this to be not sweet enough for my tastes. I had to double the simple syrup.
What is the size of your pitcher? How many cups? Thanks.
It’s up to you how many cups of club soda you add. I personally like to use a small pitcher and muddle the lime and mint, then add the rum and and simple syrup. Stir together. Then to serve each person, I add ice to their glasses, pour the rum mixture on top, and top each glass individually with club soda. This way each person can decide how much of the rum/lime/mint mixture they want!