Refreshing Mojito Cocktail Recipe

Some cocktails are more refreshing than others, but a mojito is perhaps the most refreshing of all. Rum, club soda, lime juice, and plenty of fresh mint come together to make this cool drink, which happens to be perfect for sipping on a hot evening. "The mojito is one of my favorite cocktails for summer," recipe developer Michelle McGlinn says. "It's so refreshing and is just like having a seltzer or soda." McGlinn also loves how easy it is to customize the cocktail, and notes that you could muddle in hibiscus, berries, and more for some extra fruity flavors.

To make this classic version, however, you'll keep it simple and stick with the standard mojito flavors: lime and mint. "In this particular recipe, I made a mint syrup to muddle the mint with so that the drink is especially minty," McGlinn explains. She notes that just muddling mint into the drink will result in a nice, subtle flavor. With the help of the mint syrup, however, your mojito will taste notably more minty, and it's a great option for those who don't want mint leaves floating in their drink — you can omit the actual leaves and opt for just the syrup. 

To make the mint simple syrup, you'll need granulated sugar, water, and some fresh mint leaves. To make the cocktail itself, you'll need said mint syrup, plus some more mint leaves, white rum (the liquor of choice in mojitos), club soda, lime juice, and a twist of lime zest for garnish.

The first thing you'll want to do is make that refreshing mint syrup. Place a saucepan on the stovetop over medium heat and add the sugar and water. Allow the two ingredients to heat up for about 2 to 3 minutes, during which time the sugar should fully dissolve. At that point, add the mint leaves in and bring the mixture to a simmer. Remove the pan from the heat and set it aside for 25 to 30 minutes, which will give the mint plenty of time to steep in the sugar mixture. Finally, strain the syrup into a jar and store it in the fridge until you're ready to use. 

Now it's time to make the mojito itself. Start by muddling mint leaves and the mint syrup you made earlier in the bottom of a highball glass. This is where McGlinn's special technique really comes into play; both the mint leaves and the mint syrup will really enhance the cooling flavors of the drink. Now, pour both the rum and lime juice into the glass, then give it a stir. Add ice to the glass, then top it off with club soda. 

"I'm not sure I've ever personally seen a mojito made in a cocktail shaker, but I have read a lot of recipes that call for shaking the rum, mint, and lime before pouring over ice," McGlinn notes. She says that you absolutely can make the drink in a shaker, but explains that "shaking drinks allows more air in and creates a slight froth, so the mojito would be more diluted than if you built the drink in the glass." It's personal preference, but if you want to enjoy an authentic mojito, it's best stirred, not shaken. 

All that's left to do is garnish your mojito with some more mint sprigs and a twist of lime, then you're ready to sip on this cool cocktail. While it's easy to whip up a mojito on the spot, McGlinn also loves how easy it is to make batches for later serving. "To make in batches, multiply the recipe by however many portions you need, then mix the simple syrup, rum, and lime juice together in a jar," she explains. When you're ready to serve, simply pour 3 ounces of the mixture into a glass, add ice, club soda, and garnish, and voila!

You can also build the entire cocktail in a sealable jar, then bring it with you for a beach day, which is something that McGlinn loves to do. "These are delicious for sunny, beachy days and last long enough to travel with," she says. Maybe just pack the ice separately as to not dilute the drink before you hit the sand.