A Mojito is a rum highball built around lime, mint, sugar, and soda. Bruising the mint gently releases aroma; shredding it creates bitterness and floating debris.
Ingredients
- 45 ml (1.5 oz) white rum
- 25 ml (0.85 oz) fresh lime juice
- 10-15 ml (0.35-0.5 oz) simple syrup
- 8-10 mint leaves
- 60-90 ml (2-3 oz) chilled soda water
- Crushed or small firm ice
Tools
- Tall glass
- Jigger
- Bar spoon or gentle muddler
Method
- Add mint, lime, and syrup to the glass.
- Press the mint gently two or three times; do not grind it.
- Add rum and fill the glass with ice.
- Top with chilled soda.
- Lift once from the bottom and garnish with a mint sprig.
Mint needs less force than you think
Mint aroma sits near the leaf surface. Grinding the leaves releases bitter plant material and fills the glass with fragments. A few gentle presses are enough.
Keep soda as the finishing lengthener
Soda makes the drink refreshing, but it should not become the main ingredient. Start at 60 ml, taste, then extend toward 90 ml if needed.
Correct acidity in small steps
Fresh limes vary. If the drink is sharp, add 5 ml syrup and taste again rather than turning it into a sweet soft drink.
This alcoholic drink is for adults of legal drinking age. Drink responsibly.
What goes wrong and how to fix it
- Bitter and grassy: mint was crushed too hard. Press gently or clap the leaves.
- Watery: too much soda or melting ice. Keep soda near 60-90 ml.
- Too sour: lime varies. Add 5 ml syrup and retaste.
- Flat: soda was warm or stirred repeatedly.
Substitutions
- No white rum: another light rum works but changes the profile.
- No fresh mint: do not replace it with mint extract at full strength; make a lime rum highball instead.
- Lower alcohol: use 30 ml rum and keep the lime and mint structure.
Cost, time, and difficulty
About US$2-6 per serving.
FAQ
Should mint be muddled in a Mojito?
Only gently. The goal is aroma, not shredded leaves.
Can I use Sprite instead of soda water?
You can, but reduce or remove syrup because the drink becomes much sweeter.
Why is my Mojito watery?
Too much soda, too little rum structure, or fast-melting ice are common causes.
Crushed ice or cubes?
Both work. Crushed ice chills quickly; firm small cubes dilute more slowly.