If you’re looking for the perfect cocktail to whip up today, this Classic Mojito Recipe is exactly what you need. I absolutely love a Mojito because it’s incredibly flavorful and refreshing.
You can use club soda, lemon-lime soda, or even sparkling water to top it off—it always turns out delicious. Another common question is which rum to use. Honestly, I just use whatever I have on hand. Sure, the flavor profile shifts slightly depending on the brand, but it’s always tasty, especially when you’re mixing drinks at home rather than serving them at a bar.
Ingredients for a Classic Mojito
- 1 lime
- 1.5 oz (approx. 45 ml) white rum
- 6 fresh mint leaves
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Ice cubes, to taste
- Club soda or lemon-lime soda, to top off
How to Make a Classic Mojito
- Place the mint leaves and sugar in the bottom of a highball glass and muddle them gently using a muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon.
- Squeeze the lime into the glass and pour in the rum.
- Add ice cubes and top with club soda or lemon-lime soda.
- Stir well, garnish, and serve immediately.
- Cheers!
What is the origin of the Mojito?
The Mojito is a classic white rum-based cocktail that originated in Cuba.
Though this cocktail is over 100 years old, its origins aren’t as well-documented as the Daiquiri or the Cuba Libre. We know it blossomed in Havana’s nightlife, utilizing native Caribbean ingredients: white rum, sugar (or simple syrup), fresh mint, lime, and sparkling water.
The tradition of mixing mint with spirits is quite ancient. Some legends suggest the Mojito was created by an Englishman at sea or on land. In Cuban bars—most famously at La Bodeguita del Medio—the story was often attributed to none other than American writer Ernest Hemingway. According to local lore, the English explorer Francis Drake, who was fond of the aroma of mint, may have been the first to mix the plant with a healthy splash of rum.