Mojitos from scratch are crisp, refreshing cocktails made with fresh mint, lime juice, rum, and a touch of sweetness. This homemade mojito is muddled to release the bright flavors of mint and citrus, then topped with fizzy club soda for a light, invigorating finish. It’s the perfect drink for warm days, backyard gatherings, or whenever you need a cool, citrusy sip.
Making this batch of mojitos was inspired by some fantastic ones we had in a Cuban place in Miami. Use real lime juice freshly squeezed for these, and fresh mint, as they make all the difference. This drink is the perfect blend of sweet, tart, fizzy and delicious. You can make one drink, or make a big batch like I did for our 4th of July evening.
Check out my full selection of delicious cocktails. I’ve made them all (many multiple times), and they are all enjoyable to drink. Also see my Favorite Item Links for some of my favorite cocktail ingredients.
Mojitos from Scratch
Ingredients
- 12 mint leaves plus a sprig for serving
- 2 oz light rum
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- soda water or sparkling water for topping
Instructions
- Place the rum and mint leaves in the bottom of a high ball glass and muddle the mint until it is bruised but not torn up. Add in the lime juice and simple syrup and mix. Add ice and then top off with sparkling water and a sprig of mint and serve.
- You can make your own simple syrup by mixing 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar and bringing to a boil, then simmering for 5 minutes and cooling. Store in the fridge.