drink · Drink

How to Make a Mojito from Scratch

Name: How to Make a Mojito from Scratch
Yield: 1
Ingredients: 8-10 fresh spearmint leaves; 1/2 lime; 2 tsp simple syrup; 2 oz white rum; 2-3 oz soda water

A proper mojito starts with muddling fresh mint leaves with lime juice and simple syrup in the bottom of your glass, then adding white rum and topping with soda water. The key is gentle muddling to release the mint oils without shredding the leaves, and using the right proportions to balance sweet, tart, and herbal flavors.

Total time: 10 min
Hands-on: 10 min
Serves: 1
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

8-10 fresh spearmint leaves
1/2 lime
2 tsp simple syrup
2 oz white rum
2-3 oz soda water

Step by step

Prepare your mint. Take 8-10 fresh spearmint leaves and gently slap them between your palms once. This releases the oils without bruising. Place them in the bottom of a highball glass.
Add lime and sweetener. Cut half a lime into 4 wedges and add to the glass with 2 teaspoons of simple syrup. If you don't have simple syrup, use 2 teaspoons of granulated sugar.
Muddle properly. Use a muddler to gently press and twist the ingredients together about 4-5 times. You want to extract lime juice and mint oils, not pulverize everything into green bits.
Add rum and ice. Pour 2 ounces of white rum over the muddled mixture. Fill the glass with crushed ice, leaving about an inch at the top.
Top and garnish. Add 2-3 ounces of soda water. Stir gently to combine. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint and a lime wheel. Serve with a straw.

Tips & troubleshooting

Make simple syrup by dissolving equal parts sugar and water over low heat. It keeps in the fridge for weeks.
Crushed ice works better than cubes because it chills faster and dilutes at the right rate.
If your mint looks bruised or black after muddling, you went too hard. Start over.
Roll your lime on the counter while pressing down before cutting to get more juice out.
Slap the mint garnish before placing it on the drink to release more aroma.

Variations

Virgin Mojito. Skip the rum and increase soda water to 4-5 ounces. Add an extra lime wedge for more citrus punch.
Fruit Mojito. Add 4-5 fresh berries or chunks of pineapple to the muddling step for a fruity twist.
Dirty Mojito. Use brown sugar instead of simple syrup and add a splash of aged rum on top for deeper flavor.

Questions

What type of rum should I use?: White or silver rum works best. Bacardi, Flor de Caña, or any clean, light rum will do. Dark rum overpowers the mint and lime.
Can I make mojitos ahead of time?: Not really. The mint will wilt and the ice will melt. You can pre-make the simple syrup and have your mint and limes prepped, but mix each drink fresh.
Why does my mojito taste bitter?: You either over-muddled the mint or used the stems. Only use the leaves, and muddle gently. Bitter mint oils come from damaged leaves.
What if I don't have a muddler?: Use the back of a wooden spoon or a rolling pin. Even a clean rubber mallet works. Just be gentle with whatever you use.