Instead, let’s discuss the building of the mojito, which in my opinion, is what distinguishes a “good” mojito from a “truly incredible” mojito.
Video: How to Make Mojitos
Secret to a Better Mojito
Before now, you may have made mojitos like this: You threw some mint, lime juice, and sugar into a glass and then mashed ‘em up with a wooden spoon, or if you were feeling bartender-y, with a fancy muddler. Then you added a little booze and a lot of soda water, resulting in a sparkling, mint salad in a glass with a hint of rum. No more. You’re better than that, and your mojitos should be too! The better way to make mojitos takes a little more time, patience, and effort, but is well worth it. Take a mortar and pestle and slowly crush the mint and sugar with a splash of the rum until you have a very fine paste. After that, add the rest of the rum and let it infuse for a few minutes, then strain the mixture, and top with a bare splash of soda. The result is a mojito that’s not only cleaner in appearance (big mint flavor, no floating mint leaves), but also endlessly more flavorful than any mojito you’ve previously experienced.
Fresh mintSugarWhite rumFresh lime juiceSoda water
The Best Rum for Mojitos
Go for white rum in a mojito. This has a cleaner, fresher taste than golden rums, which are aged. Paired with the mint, it makes a light and refreshing cocktail. Mount Gay or Bacardi Silver are both smooth and affordable options.
Mojitos for a Crowd
Using a mortar and pestle is the way to go for one simply perfect cocktail, but that’s not going to fly at a party. To make mojitos for a crowd, scale up the ingredients as much as you’d like and puree them in a blender or food processor. Let steep for about 5 minutes, then strain through a fine-mesh strainer (line it with a coffee filter if you’d like to catch every particle of mint). This infused rum mixture can be made a few hours ahead of your party and kept refrigerate.
More Favorite Rum Drinks!
Strawberry Mojitos Mai Tai Cocktail Hemmingway Daiquiri Piña Coladas Dark and Stormy Cocktail
Traditionally, you would use a highball glass for mojitos, but it’s fine to use whatever glass you like for your cocktail.
