We know it’s not even Spring yet, but that shouldn’t stop you from skipping ahead a season and getting all summery by mixing up the most summer of all drinks: the mojito. Most people know the mojito as the mint and lime drink that you should only drink while lounging by the pool. But in reality, the mojito can be a year-round drink. Okay, every drink is a year-round drink for us. What many people don’t realize is that the mojito comes in many different flavors other than mint and limes. If you happen to be on vacation at an island resort, you will likely find a nice selection of mojitos, but here in the states, you will probably have to mix up your own if you are looking for a variety outside of the traditional mojito. Grab a pen and paper and take notes. These recipes will make you a mojito expert.
Things you’ll need: a high ball glass (or at least a tall glass), a muddler, ice, mint leaves, limes, fruit (see recipes), simple syrup (sugar and water).
Preparation:
For all of these drinks, you will want to build them the same way unless otherwise noted. Throw in an ice cube or two and break the mint leaves up and drop them into the glass. Throw in the limes or other fruit you will need to make your drink and pour in the simple syrup. Muddle the hell out of these ingredients until the limes/fruit are flat and the mint leaves are broken up. Pour in the rum (a silver rum, or a flavored rum as noted) and fill the rest of the glass with ice. Shake it up or pour back and forth between another glass to mix it all up. Top off with soda water (or Sprite if you like it sweeter) and drink in one gulp. Just kidding. Sip. It’s best enjoyed that way.
Classic Mojito
We’ll start off with the one we’re all comfortable with: the traditional mojito. You can drop in a little sour mix before you add the soda water to give it some more lime sweetness and we suggest using a lime flavored rum. It does the body good.
3 oz. of rum
2 limes
1 oz. simple syrup
4-5 mint leaves
Sour mix (optional)
Finish with soda water
Mango Mojito
If you like mango, this drink will get you all giddy. The mango pieces should be cut into small pieces for easy muddling. If you want to back off on the mango flavor, use regular rum.
3 oz. mango rum
2 limes
1 oz. simple syrup
Handful of mango fruit
4-5 mint leaves
Finish with soda water
Raspberry Mojito
You may feel like less of a man drinking a raspberry drink, but if you try it once, you will realize it can be addicting. Drink it indoors if you’re embarrassed to gulp it in public.
1 ½ oz. of rum
1 ½ oz. raspberry rum
2 limes
1 oz. simple syrup
1 oz. Chambord
4-5 raspberries
4-5 mint leaves
Finish with soda water
Strawberry Mojito
The trick with the strawberry mojito is to back off the mint a bit. The strawberries should be larger in size and the puree should go in before muddling. It’s like a daiquiri and a mojito spawned a wonderful booze child.
3 oz. of rum
2 limes
1 oz. simple syrup
2 strawberries
2 oz. strawberry puree
3 mint leaves
Finish with soda water
Orange Mojito
Less mint leaves here and more orange flavor. Some people use an orange soda instead of soda water to finish this one off, but that comes down to preference. Just don’t forget the rum.
3 oz. of rum
1 lime
1 oz. simple syrup
2 oz. orange juice
3 wedges of oranges
3 mint leaves
Finish with soda water
Melon Mojito
This one is lower in alcohol content, which means you can drink more of them, right? We go with one lime in this recipe in order for the melon flavor to be dominant. That’s the way to do it.
1 ½ oz. of rum
1 ½ oz. Midori
1 lime
1 oz. simple syrup
4-5 mint leaves
Finish with soda water
Coconut Mojito
This one brings the pina colada flavor (minus the pineapple) to the classic mojito. We suggest shaking this one if you have a shaker, because the coconut milk froths nicely and adds to the flavor.
1 ½ oz. of rum
1 ½ oz. Malibu
1 lime
1 oz. simple syrup
2 oz. coconut milk
3-4 mint leaves
Finish with soda water
Frozen Mojito
Instead of muddling, throw the contents in a blender and blend together. Then throw in the rum and about two cups of ice and blend until it looks like a frozen drink should look.
3 oz. of rum
2 limes
1 oz. simple syrup
4-5 mint leaves
2 cups of ice
Finish with soda water
Apple Mojito
Apples do not muddle very easily, but adding the apple wedge to the mix will give it just the right kick. The apple juice will give you the rest of the apple taste your mouth so desperately desires. Note: Vodka can be substituted instead of rum.
3 oz. of rum or vodka
2 lime
1 slice of apple
1 oz. simple syrup
2 oz. apple juice
4-5 mint leaves
Finish with soda water
Island Mojito
This is what we like to call ‘the grandaddy of mojitos’. It combines all things island: mint, pineapple, sugar cane, and coconut. Sure, you have to pick up a lot of ingredients, but you’ll be happy you did.
