Mojitos are a refreshing and popular cocktail choice for many. These Cuban drinks blend rum, lime, mint, and sugar for a tasty mix of sweet and sour flavors.
The classic mojito is great, but there are many fun twists on this drink to try.
You can find over 19 different mojito recipes to make at home. Some use different fruits or liquors to change up the taste.
Others add new ingredients for unique flavors. With so many options, you’re sure to find a mojito recipe you’ll enjoy.
1. Classic Mojito
The classic mojito is a refreshing Cuban cocktail that’s perfect for hot summer days. You’ll need white rum, fresh lime juice, sugar, mint leaves, and club soda.
Start by muddling mint leaves with sugar and lime juice in a glass. This releases the mint’s oils and flavors.
Add white rum and fill the glass with ice.
Top it off with club soda and stir gently. Garnish with a sprig of mint and a lime wedge.
The result is a crisp, minty drink with a balance of sweet and tart flavors.
Adjust the sugar to your taste. You can use crushed ice for a more slushy texture. Enjoy your homemade mojito!
2. Mint and Basil Mojito
This twist on the classic mojito adds a new layer of flavor. You’ll combine fresh mint and basil for a unique herbal taste.
Start by muddling mint leaves, basil leaves, lime wedges, and sugar in a glass. This releases the herbs’ oils and juice from the lime.
Add white rum and fill the glass with crushed ice. Top it off with soda water and stir gently.
The basil gives the drink a light green color and balances the mint’s intensity. It’s a refreshing choice for hot summer days.
3. Strawberry Mojito
Strawberry mojitos add a fruity twist to the classic Cuban cocktail. You’ll love this refreshing drink on hot summer days.
To make one, muddle fresh strawberries with mint leaves, lime juice, and sugar. Add white rum and crushed ice, then top with club soda.
The sweet strawberries balance perfectly with the tart lime and cool mint. Make sure to use ripe berries for the best flavor.
Garnish your strawberry mojito with a lime wheel and mint sprig. Serve it in a tall glass to show off the pretty pink color.
4. Ginger Mojito
The Ginger Mojito adds a spicy twist to the classic cocktail. It combines fresh ginger with mint, lime, rum, and sugar syrup.
To make one, muddle ginger and mint leaves in a glass. Add white rum, lime juice, and sugar syrup.
Fill the glass with ice and top with ginger ale.
This drink offers a perfect balance of sweetness, tartness, and warmth. The ginger provides a zesty kick that complements the cool mint and tangy lime.
You can adjust the ginger amount to your taste. For a fruitier version, try adding mango puree to create a Spicy Mango Mojito.
5. Cranberry Mojito
The Cranberry Mojito puts a festive spin on the classic cocktail. This drink blends tart cranberry juice with zesty lime and cool mint for a refreshing taste.
To make one, muddle mint leaves with brown sugar and lime juice in a glass. Add cranberry juice and white rum, then fill the glass with ice.
Top it off with club soda for some fizz.
This cocktail is perfect for holiday parties or anytime you want a fruity twist on a mojito. The bright red color makes it look as good as it tastes.
You can easily adjust the sweetness by adding more or less sugar. For extra flavor, try using fresh cranberries as a garnish.
6. Passion Fruit Mojito
This tropical twist on the classic mojito adds a burst of exotic flavor. You’ll need fresh mint leaves, sugar, lime juice, club soda, passion fruit, and white rum.
Muddle the mint leaves with sugar in a glass. Add lime juice and passion fruit pulp, then stir in the rum and club soda.
For the best taste, use fresh passion fruit or a high-quality purée. The seeds add a nice crunch, but you can strain them out if you prefer.
This refreshing cocktail pairs well with seafood dishes or tropical fruit salads. Its vibrant flavor will transport you to a beachside paradise with every sip.
7. Cucumber Mojito
Cucumber mojitos offer a crisp twist on the classic cocktail. You’ll love the cool, refreshing flavors in this drink.
To make one, muddle cucumber slices with mint leaves and sugar in a glass. This releases the fresh flavors.
Add ice, lime juice, and white rum. Top it off with club soda and stir gently.
The result is a light, summery drink. The cucumber adds a subtle, clean taste that pairs well with the mint and lime.
Try using English cucumbers for the best flavor. Their thin skin and fewer seeds make them ideal for cocktails.
8. Mango Mojito
The Mango Mojito adds a tropical twist to the classic Cuban cocktail. You’ll love this refreshing drink that combines sweet mango with mint and lime.
To make it, muddle fresh mint leaves, lime juice, and mango nectar in a glass. Add white rum and ice, then top with soda water. Stir gently to mix the flavors.
For a spicy version, add a small amount of finely chopped jalapeño when muddling. This gives the drink an extra kick that pairs well with the mango’s sweetness.
You can also try using coconut rum instead of white rum for a coconut mango variation. This creates a more tropical flavor profile.
9. Pineapple Mojito
Pineapple mojitos add a tropical twist to the classic cocktail. To make one, muddle fresh mint leaves with sugar and chopped pineapple in a glass.
Add ice cubes, then pour in pineapple juice and light rum. Top it off with a splash of club soda for some fizz.
Garnish your drink with a pineapple wedge and extra mint leaves. For a non-alcoholic version, replace the rum with more pineapple juice and use ginger ale instead of club soda.
You can easily make a pitcher for parties. Mix the mint-pineapple syrup with rum, lime juice, and soda. Add the soda right before serving to keep it bubbly.
10. Coconut Mojito
This tropical twist on the classic mojito adds a creamy coconut flavor. To make it, muddle mint leaves with lime juice and sugar in a glass.
Add coconut cream or coconut milk for richness. Pour in white rum and top with soda water. Stir gently to combine all the ingredients.
Garnish your coconut mojito with a lime wedge and mint sprig. For extra flair, rim the glass with shredded coconut. You can also use coconut rum instead of white rum for more coconut taste.
This refreshing cocktail is perfect for summer sipping. The coconut softens the tartness of the lime while complementing the mint. It’s like a vacation in a glass.
11. Blueberry Mojito
This fruity twist on the classic mojito adds a burst of berry flavor. To make it, muddle fresh blueberries and mint leaves in a glass.
Add crushed ice, white rum, sugar, and lime juice. Mix well to combine the flavors. Top with a splash of club soda for some fizz.
Garnish your drink with extra blueberries and mint sprigs. The result is a refreshing cocktail with a beautiful purple hue.
You can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less sugar. For a non-alcoholic version, simply leave out the rum.
12. Peach Mojito
The Peach Mojito adds a fruity twist to the classic Cuban cocktail. You’ll love this refreshing drink on a hot summer day.
To make it, muddle fresh peaches with mint leaves and lime juice in a glass. Add white rum and a splash of peach liqueur for extra flavor. Top it off with club soda and give it a gentle stir.
Garnish your Peach Mojito with a lime wedge and a sprig of mint. For a non-alcoholic version, simply leave out the rum and use more club soda.
You can use frozen peaches if fresh ones aren’t available. This tasty drink combines the coolness of mint with the sweetness of peaches for a perfect summer sipper.
13. Raspberry Mojito
The Raspberry Mojito adds a fruity twist to the classic Cuban cocktail. You’ll love its vibrant color and refreshing taste.
To make this drink, muddle fresh raspberries with mint leaves and lime juice. Add white rum and a touch of sweetener. Top it off with club soda for a fizzy finish.
This cocktail pairs well with light appetizers. Try serving it with a cheese platter or bruschetta. The tangy berry flavor complements creamy cheeses and fresh tomatoes nicely.
You can adjust the sweetness based on your raspberries’ ripeness. For a stronger fruit flavor, muddle the berries more thoroughly. Always use fresh mint for the best taste.
14. Watermelon Mojito
The Watermelon Mojito adds a fruity twist to the classic Cuban cocktail. You’ll need fresh watermelon, mint leaves, lime juice, rum, and simple syrup.
Start by muddling mint leaves in a glass. Add watermelon chunks and muddle again to release the juice. Pour in rum, lime juice, and simple syrup.
Fill the glass with ice and top with soda water. Stir gently to mix all ingredients. Garnish with a watermelon slice and mint sprig.
This refreshing drink is perfect for summer parties. Make sure to use ripe watermelon for the best flavor. You can also blend and strain the watermelon first for a smoother texture.
15. Lemon Mojito
The lemon mojito is a zesty twist on the classic Cuban cocktail. It swaps out lime for lemon, creating a bright and refreshing drink perfect for summer sipping.
To make a lemon mojito, you’ll need fresh lemons, mint leaves, white rum, sugar, and soda water. Start by muddling lemon wedges with mint and sugar in a glass to release the flavors.
Add white rum and fill the glass with crushed ice. Top it off with soda water and give it a gentle stir. Garnish with a lemon slice and mint sprig for a picture-perfect presentation.
This citrusy variation offers a tangy kick that pairs wonderfully with the cool mint. It’s an easy and delicious way to shake up your mojito game.
16. Apple Mojito
The Apple Mojito puts a fruity spin on the classic Cuban cocktail. You’ll love this refreshing drink that blends crisp apple flavors with cool mint.
To make it, muddle fresh mint leaves with sugar syrup in a glass. Add lime juice, rum, and apple liqueur or juice. Fill the glass with ice and top with club soda.
Garnish your Apple Mojito with a slice of green apple and a sprig of mint. The sweet-tart apple taste mixes perfectly with the minty, lime notes.
This cocktail is great for fall gatherings or anytime you want a light, fruity drink. Give it a try for a tasty twist on the traditional mojito recipe.
17. Lychee Mojito
Lychee mojitos offer a tropical twist on the classic cocktail. You’ll love the sweet and floral notes that lychee brings to this refreshing drink.
To make a lychee mojito, you’ll need white rum, lychee juice or nectar, fresh mint leaves, lime, and sparkling water. Some recipes also use lychee liqueur for extra flavor.
Start by muddling mint leaves and lime in a glass. Add crushed ice, rum, and lychee juice. Top with sparkling water and stir gently.
For garnish, add a few fresh or canned lychees and a sprig of mint. This exotic drink is perfect for summer sipping and will transport you to a tropical paradise.
18. Pomegranate Mojito
This fruity twist on the classic mojito adds a burst of color and flavor to your drink. You’ll love the mix of tangy pomegranate with refreshing mint and lime.
To make a pomegranate mojito, muddle fresh mint leaves with lime juice and simple syrup in a glass. Add pomegranate juice and white rum, then top with ice and sparkling water.
Garnish your drink with pomegranate seeds and a lime slice for a festive touch. This cocktail is perfect for parties and can be easily made in a pitcher for larger groups.
For a non-alcoholic version, skip the rum and add extra pomegranate juice and sparkling water instead. You’ll still get a delicious, vibrant drink to enjoy.
19. Orange Mojito
Orange mojitos put a citrusy twist on the classic Cuban cocktail. To make one, muddle fresh mint leaves with lime and orange wedges in a glass.
Add sugar and rum, then fill the glass with ice. Top it off with club soda and stir gently.
For extra orange flavor, use orange-flavored rum. Garnish with an orange slice and mint sprig.
This refreshing drink is perfect for summer parties or relaxing by the pool. The sweet orange balances nicely with the mint and lime.
History of the Mojito
The mojito has deep Cuban roots and a rich history spanning centuries. Its journey from medicinal elixir to beloved cocktail reflects Cuba’s cultural evolution.
Origins in Cuba
The mojito’s story begins in 16th century Cuba. Sailors and pirates used a mix of rum, lime, and mint as medicine to prevent scurvy.
This early version was called “El Draque” after Sir Francis Drake. Local ingredients shaped the drink. Sugar cane fields provided rum and sugar. Native mint and limes added flavor.
Over time, the recipe evolved into today’s mojito. Havana became the mojito’s birthplace. La Bodeguita del Medio, a famous bar, claims to have invented it. While this is debated, the bar remains a mojito hotspot.
Evolution Over Time
The mojito gained popularity in the 1930s. Sloppy Joe’s Bar in Havana featured it in their cocktail book. This helped spread the recipe beyond Cuba.
American tourists discovered the drink during Prohibition. They flocked to Cuba for legal alcohol. The mojito’s refreshing taste made it a hit in the tropical heat.
Famous fans boosted its profile. Ernest Hemingway loved mojitos. Other celebrities followed suit. By the 1960s, it was a global favorite.
Today, bartenders create new twists on the classic recipe. Fruit flavors and different spirits offer variety. But the basic mix of rum, lime, mint, and sugar remains the core of this Cuban classic.
Key Ingredients and Their Roles
A great mojito relies on a few essential components. Each ingredient plays a vital part in creating the drink’s signature taste and refreshing quality. Let’s explore the key players that make this cocktail so popular.
Mint’s Refreshing Influence
Mint is the star of the mojito. Its cool, crisp flavor gives the drink its distinctive taste.
You’ll want to use fresh mint leaves for the best results. Gently muddle the leaves to release their oils and aroma. This step is crucial – it infuses the drink with mint’s refreshing essence.
Too much muddling can make the mint bitter, so be gentle. About 6-8 leaves per drink is a good rule of thumb.
The mint not only adds flavor but also gives the mojito its signature look. A sprig of mint as a garnish adds visual appeal and lets you smell the herb with each sip.
Lime’s Citrus Kick
Lime juice brings a zesty tang to the mojito. It balances the sweetness and adds a bright, fresh taste.
Always use fresh limes – bottled juice won’t give you the same flavor. You’ll need about 1 ounce of juice per drink, which is typically one whole lime.
Roll the lime on the counter before cutting to help release more juice. The acid in the lime also helps to muddle the mint, drawing out its oils more effectively.
Some recipes call for dropping the squeezed lime shells into the glass for extra flavor and aroma.
The Importance of Quality Rum
Rum forms the base of a mojito and greatly impacts its taste. White rum is the traditional choice. It’s clean and crisp, letting the mint and lime shine.
Choose a good quality rum – it doesn’t need to be top-shelf, but avoid the cheapest options.
Light rums work best as they don’t overpower the other flavors. About 2 ounces per drink is standard.
Some people prefer aged rum for a more complex taste. Experiment to find your favorite.
The rum should blend smoothly with the other ingredients, not stand out on its own.