Top Cocktail Recipes: Mojito Magic

As summer approaches, people all over America are lugging out the coolers from the garage and firing up the grills. If you’re looking for a cocktail to enjoy on a hot summer day, there’s nothing more refreshing than a mojito. Made of just white rum, lime juice, mint, seltzer, and sweetener of choice, this Cuban cocktail is simple to make but much greater than its sum. A mojito is a versatile cocktail as well, and the number of possible variations will make sure you can drink mojitos all summer without getting bored! If you’ve ordered a bottle of white rum like Bacardi Facundo Neo from Country Wine & Spirits and need some bartending inspiration, you’ve come to the right place.

Born in Havana, Cuba, the mojito is renowned for its simplicity. The origin of the name is a bit unclear and thought to either be a derivation of mojo, a common seasoning and marinade used in Cuba, or from mojado, meaning “wet” in Spanish. The original recipe is rumored to have originated as far back as the 1700s, attributed to legendary British privateer Sir Francis Drake. The story goes that he and his sailors were suffering from illness, so they went ashore on Cuba and returned with medicinal ingredients that were coincidentally the ingredients of a mojito! While it might not be considered medicine for some today, it certainly helps you feel better after a long day.

1. Classic Mojito

A classic mojito is so simple anyone can make one without any special bartending tools needed. First, you’ll need to assemble your ingredients: for one serving, you’ll need 2 ounces of white rum, 3 mint leaves, ¾ of an ounce of lime juice, seltzer water, and half an ounce of your sweetener of choice such as simple syrup or agave syrup. Upsizing the ingredient measurements makes an excellent pitcher cocktail, too!

1. Muddle or bruise the mint leaves to release the aromatic oils.

2. Add the rum, lime juice, and syrup to a cocktail shaker or glass. Shake or mix to blend flavors and chill ingredients.

3. Strain into a Collins, highball, or your glass of choice filled with fresh ice.

4. Fill to the top with seltzer.

5. Garnish with a fresh sprig of mint and lime wheel, and enjoy!

2. Cojito

For a cocktail with even more tropical character, we love a Cojito, short for coconut mojito. Perfect for a tiki-themed party, this cocktail is almost as easy to make as the original mojito. What you use for coconut flavor is up to you, but we recommend a coconut rum like Koloa Coconut Rum. For a drink with a creamier texture, you can even add a splash of coconut milk. For one serving, you’ll need 1 shot each of coconut and white rum, 3 mint leaves, 1 lime, 1 teaspoon brown sugar or agave syrup, 2 ounces of cream of coconut or coconut milk, and seltzer water.

1. Muddle or bruise the mint.

2. Add muddled mint, lime juice, and syrup to a shaker or glass and shake or stir. Then add the rum, coconut milk, and ice and shake again.

3. Strain into a glass with fresh ice.

4. Top it off with seltzer and a garnish of mint and lime, and enjoy!

3. Grilled Pineapple Mojito

If you’re looking for a cocktail with a bit more complexity for the next time you do some grilling, then a grilled pineapple mojito is exactly what you’re looking for. Throwing down a pineapple slice on the grill allows it to caramelize and develop a deeper flavor and make it even sweeter. The charred pineapple flavor pairs perfectly with a barrel-aged rum like Mount Gay Black Barrel Rum. This cocktail is an excellent accompaniment to al pastor tacos or any glazed meat. You’ll need the same ingredients as a standard mojito but add to your shopping list Mount Gay Black Barrel, a ripe pineapple, and fresh pineapple juice.

1. Muddle mint with lime juice and syrup.

2. Add pineapple juice to the muddled mint and stir well.

3. Slice and grill pineapple over medium heat until caramelized then cut into chunks.

4. Add rum and crushed ice to a glass, then garnish with grilled pineapple chunks and mint, and enjoy!

4. Winter Spiced Mojito

Are you craving a mojito in the dead of winter? This winter mojito is a great way to enjoy a refreshing cocktail that will keep you warm from the inside out. Our recipe includes Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum because it’s infused with flavors used in holiday dishes, like clove, cinnamon, and vanilla. You’ll need lime juice, brown sugar syrup, mint, rosemary, and seltzer water in addition to Sailor Jerry.

1. Muddle mint and rosemary with lime juice and syrup.

2. Add Sailor Jerry and ice, then shake or stir to chill.

3. Top off with seltzer and garnish with rosemary and mint sprigs, and enjoy!

 Now that you’ve read some home mixology inspiration, head on over to Country Wine & Spirits’ rum selection to check out what we have for you to mix in your next batch of mojitos!