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!
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Test Kitchen Review
Why This Is The Best Mojito Recipe!
This mojito is a recipe close to our hearts and reminds us of hot days sitting on the beach in Puerto Rico at our favorite beach bar. It’s simple, but full of bold, refreshing flavors – a reminder that sometimes, the best drinks are the ones that don’t overcomplicate things. Anytime we have friends over, this cocktail is a staple as it’s always a crowd pleaser and I can make a big pitcher to share! Calling this the “best” mojito is a bold statement, I know, so allow me to provide you with our reasons why:
- Mint Lime Simple Syrup: The key to this being the BEST mojito recipe is all in the homemade mint and lime flavored simple syrup. It truly intensifies the flavors!
- Easy to Make: It takes just about 20 minutes to make the simple syrup, and then the rest of the drink comes together in a snap. You don’t need fancy equipment or bartending skills. Just muddle, mix, and sip!
- Super Refreshing: The zesty lime flavor, mixed with rum, pairs perfectly with fresh mint. It’s the perfect drink for when you want something crisp and not too heavy!
- Make a Pitcher: You can use this mojito recipe to make individual drinks, or a pitcher to share with friends and family for a party.
Looking for more fruity mojito flavors? Try our strawberry mojito, blueberry mojito, coconut mojito or pineapple coconut mojito.
What’s in a Mojito Cocktail?
A few fresh ingredients, ice, and a good white rum are all you need to enjoy this classic Cuban drink. Scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and exact amounts!
- 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. See how easily it comes together below!
- Fresh Mint Leaves: Mint leaves serve both as a source of refreshing minty flavor and a colorful garnish.
- Fresh Lime Juice: Don’t use bottled lime juice, the flavor won’t be nearly as bold or refreshing!
- Ice: You can used crushed ice or ice cubes, whichever you prefer. (Crushed ice melts faster, so I generally prefer ice cubes.)
- White 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.
- 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.
How to Make a Mojito
The key to making the BEST mojito is the homemade simple syrup flavored with fresh mint and lime! It’s incredibly easy and can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for later. Below is a quick recipe overview, but please scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for full instructions and to watch the step-by-step video.
- Simmer and Cool: Add all ingredients to a sauce pan and simmer for about 10 minutes. Remove it from the heat and allow it to cool for 10 minutes more.
- Strain and Chill: Use a fine mesh sieve to remove the mint leaves and lime wedges. Chill syrup in the fridge until ready to use.
- Add mint and lime to glass: Place the mint leaves and 1 lime wedge into a sturdy glass (or a cocktail shaker if you’re using a delicate glass to serve).
- Muddle: Gently mash the mint a few times with a muddler (or the bottom of the wooden spoon) to release the oils from the mint and juice from the lime. Add 2 more lime wedges and the simple syrup and muddle again. Do not strain the mixture.
- Pour and Enjoy: Fill the glass almost to the top with ice. Pour the rum over the ice, and then fill the glass with club soda. Give it a stir and garnish with the remaining lime wedge and a sugar cane stick, if desired. Serve immediately!
Chef’s Tips and Variations
- Quickly Cool Syrup: Mojitos that are served extra chilled go down so much smoother. So, make sure you chill the simple syrup fully before adding it to your cocktail! To do so quickly, transfer the syrup to a cool jar with a lid. Cover jar with well salted ice for 10 minutes, giving the jar a turn every few minutes.
- Chill the Glass: For an extra-refreshing experience, chill your glasses in the freezer for an hour before serving.
- Good Quality Rum: It makes all the difference to your final cocktail if you use a good quality white rum. There are so few ingredients in a mojito, make sure to use quality ones.
- Add Fruit Flavor: Add muddled berries, like raspberries or blackberries, to give the drink a fruity burst of flavor. You can also experiment with flavored rums, like coconut, pineapple, or mango.
- Avoid Over-Muddling: Be careful not to muddle the lime too much, as the bitter pith can get into the drink. You want to release the oils without crushing the leaves to a pulp.
Can I Make Mojitos in Advance?
Absolutely! If you want to make this mojito recipe ahead for a party, I recommend following all of the steps for making a pitcher of mojitos, but do not add the ice and club soda until you are ready to serve! Store the muddled mixture in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 12 hours.
Best Mojito Recipe
Ingredients
For the 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.
Video
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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!