Drink recipe · 1 serving
Mojito
Researched · Established classic specification
Classic Mojito recipe with white rum, lime, mint, cane sugar, and soda. Refreshing and easy to make at home.
By DrinkKnird · November 15, 2026
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The Mojito is a timeless Cuban cocktail celebrated for its bright, refreshing balance of tart lime, aromatic mint, and smooth white rum. This classic drink combines simple ingredients—fresh lime juice, cane sugar, and soda water—with muddled mint leaves to create a lively and invigorating beverage perfect for warm weather or any casual gathering. The International Bartenders Association (IBA) specifies a straightforward recipe that highlights the natural flavors without overpowering sweetness or dilution. Whether you’re a home cook or bartender, this recipe offers a reliable foundation to enjoy or customize your Mojito. For more inspiration, explore our [Cocktail recipes](/cocktail-recipes) and [All recipes](/all-recipes).
- Spirit
- White rum
- Glass
- Highball glass
- Garnish
- Mint sprig and lime wedge
- Alcohol
- alcoholic
Contains alcohol. Intended for adults of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly.
Recipe
Drink recipe
Yield: 1 serving
Original yield: 1 serving
Scales ingredient amounts only. Temperatures, times, ratios, and instruction text stay as written. Saved and printed copies keep the original recipe amounts.
Ingredients
- 45 ml white rum
- 20 ml fresh lime juice
- 6 fresh mint sprigs
- 2 tsp cane sugar
- Soda water, to top
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Place the mint sprigs and cane sugar in a sturdy glass.
- Gently muddle the mint and sugar together just enough to release the mint’s aroma without tearing the leaves.
- Add the fresh lime juice and white rum to the glass.
- Fill the glass with ice cubes, then top with soda water.
- Stir lightly to combine ingredients and lift the mint leaves through the drink without bruising them excessively.
- Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint and a lime wedge if desired. Serve immediately.
Make-ahead
- Mint leaves can be washed and dried ahead of time, but muddling and mixing are best done just before serving to preserve freshness and effervescence.
Notes
- Use fresh lime juice and fresh mint for the best flavor. Avoid over-muddling the mint to prevent bitterness. Cane sugar can be substituted with simple syrup (about 15 ml) for easier mixing. Soda water should be added last and stirred gently to maintain carbonation. Common pitfalls include bruising mint too much or using bottled lime juice, which can alter the fresh, bright profile.
- Timing figures are research-based estimates, not kitchen-timed on DrinkKnird equipment.
Why this recipe works
The balance of tart lime, sweet cane sugar, and aromatic mint complements the smoothness of white rum, while soda water adds refreshing effervescence. Gentle muddling releases essential oils from the mint without bitterness, creating a crisp, lively cocktail.
Recipe sources & development
Established classic specification
Developed from published sources for Mojito. Mint-and-rum classic still absent from the cabinet.
Why this formulation: The balance of tart lime, sweet cane sugar, and aromatic mint complements the smoothness of white rum, while soda water adds refreshing effervescence. Gentle muddling releases essential oils from the mint without bitterness, creating a crisp, lively cocktail.
Adaptation credit: IBA: 45 ml white rum, 20 ml lime, 6 mint sprigs, 2 tsp cane sugar, soda; light stir.
Developed from published sources; not yet kitchen-tested by DrinkKnird.
- Mojito specification notes — DrinkKnird research brief · researched 2026-11-15
IBA: 45 ml white rum, 20 ml lime, 6 mint sprigs, 2 tsp cane sugar, soda; light stir.
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