Mojito Recipe (with Simple Syrup)

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Our Mojito Recipe is a Caribbean drink made with white or silver rum, sugar, lime juice, and mint then served in a highball glass. It’s like a tropical getaway in a glass!

Mojitos are one of those drinks that are perfect for sipping at brunch, at a friend’s engagement party, or while you’re having lunch at a waterside restaurant. They’re pretty much great anytime.

Now, finding a good mojito recipe that is perfectly balanced, not too tart, and not too sweet is another thing all together. There’s no reason to spend upwards of $10 to $15 on a cocktail when you can easily make it at home and adjust the ingredients to your liking.

Plus, when you make this simple mojito recipe at home, you get to choose your favorite rum like, Bacardi or Captain Morgan and you’ll have a mojito in your hands in minutes.

What’s in a Mojito?

Here are our favorite Mojito Recipe Ingredients:

Ice: a handful for the shaker and more for the serving glasses.
Granulated sugar: to help break down the mint leaves and bring out the oils in the mint.
Fresh mint: a classic flavor in this Caribbean classic; needed for muddling plus a few extra mint sprigs for garnish.
White rum: either white or silver rum will work to add the sugar-based alcohol to these drinks.
Club soda: used to top off the drinks with a touch of carbonation.
Lime juice: fresh is best and another classic flavor; puts a hint of tropical acidity in these drinks.
Simple syrup: adds concentrated sweetness to balance the tartness of the lime juice.

How to Make a Mojito at Home:

Add fresh mint leaves and granulated sugar to the shaker cup.
Use a muddler to grind the mint and sugar together.
Place a handful of ice in the serving glasses and prep the garnishes.
Pour the simple syrup, white rum, club soda, lime juice, and ice into the shaker.
Gently swirl or shake the cocktail shaker to combine the ingredients.
Pour the mixed cocktail into the prepared glasses, and garnish with fresh mint and lime wedges.
Serve the drinks and enjoy your mojitos responsibly.

Do mojitos have rum or vodka?

A traditional mojito uses rum, usually white rum. With that being said, there are vodka versions of this tropical cocktail. To make a mojito with vodka, swap out the rum with a good quality vodka like Beluga or Grey Goose. Adjust the amount if desired as not overwhelm the other flavors of the drink.

What is the best white rum for mojitos?

If you’re making a classic mojito, then use a mid to top-shelf white rum; like Cana Brava or El Dorado. But, use your favorite. We also enjoy Bacardi or Captain Morgan, too.

Tips and Variations:

If you don’t have a drink muddler, then try using the round end of a wooden spoon to bruise the fresh mint.
When it comes to what sugar to use in a mojito, granulated sugar is best; however, not everyone is a fan of the ingredient. Feel free to substitute any granulated sweetener of your choice. For these photos, our mojito simple syrup was made using cane sugar. It works great but can result in a darker syrup and a slightly darker drink. Just something to keep in mind if you use it or something like coconut sugar.
For the best cocktails, we recommend using fresh mint and fresh lime juice.
Dress up your drinks with garnishes like sugar cane sticks, lime slices, and fresh mint sprigs.
Our mojitos are on the sweeter side. If you’d prefer a less sweet cocktail, use less simple syrup. Or, better yet, make a batch of mojito simple syrup that has your prefered ratio of sugar to water and use it to make your perfect mojito.

A close-up view of the finished lime and mint cocktail.

Storage and Freezing:

Refrigerator: Mojitos without ice can be made ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator for a couple of hours until they’re ready to be served. We recommend leaving out the fresh mint until the drinks are poured over ice; otherwise, the mint turns dark and wilts.

Make this mojito recipe for a crowd and refrigerate for later: Increase the recipe to make a big pitcher for a crowd, and serve it in individual glasses over ice when guests are ready. Prepare the drink portion in a large container, but omit the mint and ice. It’s a great way to prep for a party ahead of time.

Freezer: We don’t recommend freezing individual mojitos due to the mint and lime, but mojitos without fresh mint would make great ice cubes or grown-up popsicles.

Other cocktails recipe you may love:

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