If you love an ice-cold and refreshing Mojito, just wait until you try one with gin.
Pierce Brosnan’s last foray as secret agent James Bond was in the movie Die Another Day. While being financially successful, this film was not a critical darling. Many Bond fans, myself included, kind of stayed away from this adventure for a good long while, as it wasn’t anybody’s favorite. For me, it only took 22 years to revisit this entry and rediscover the crazy, all-out bombast it provided. And you know what? I enjoyed it and, dare I say, found myself liking this movie now.
One of my favorite bits is when Bond meets Halle Berry’s amazingly beautiful and dangerous character, Jinx, while in Cuba. Looking equally dapper and relaxed in his Brioni Aloha shirt, 007, undercover as an ornithologist, casually sipped on a delicious-looking mojito while claiming he’s “just here for the birds.” If you’re a hardcore James Bond fan, you get this reference.
My reappraisal of this fun film also got me in the mood for something else… mojitos! And if you’ve followed along with some of my cocktail explorations here at Twist & Toast, you’ll know I love my gin. So I did a little digging to see if my favorite spirit lends itself to this Cuban mixture of mint, lime juice, and club soda. Turns out this variation has been around since the 1930s, being mentioned in Cuban Cookery in 1931. In the souvenir menu from Sloppy Joe’s Bar Season 1931-32, the Gin Mojito is listed under both “Bacardi Drinks” and “Gordon’s Dry Gin Cocktails”. Even back then, bartenders knew that this cocktail was flexible enough to have at least a few different tasty versions available.
Another little cool bit of history involving the Gin Mojito is that around the same time, in Prohibition-era Chicago, Al Capone’s gang had a cocktail of their own that was pretty much the same thing. Using lime juice and mint to mask the rough-edged taste of their illegal gin (probably made in a bathtub), the Southside was said to be the notorious Capone’s favorite tipple. The only real difference between this drink and a Gin Mojito is the club soda.
What is the best gin to use in a Gin Mojito?
I’m not one to really shout about any specific brand of alcohol over another, especially when it comes to gin. I love many variations and different styles, and find that some of them work better in specific types of cocktails. In this drink, any good and strong London Dry will be amazing, but also seek out and find a nice seaside botanical-infused gin, like California’s own Gray Whale. Bright, refreshing, and crisp, this particular small-batch spirit tastes amazing in a Gin Mojito.
Ingredients
- 6 fresh mint leaves
- 1 ounce lime juice
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 2 ounces gin
- 2 to 4 ounces soda water to top
- Lime wedge and a mint sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add the mint leaves and lime juice and gently muddle to release the mint's flavor.
- Pour in the simple syrup and gin.
- Fill the cocktail shaker with ice, secure the lid, and shake vigorously until the mixture is well chilled, about 15 seconds.
- Fill a highball glass with ice and strain the chilled gin mixture into the glass.
- Top off the glass with soda water to your taste, gently stir to combine.
- Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint and a lime wedge for a touch of color and extra aroma.
Nutrition
What type of glassware and garnish are used for a Gin Mojito?
Pour your cocktail into an ice-filled highball glass and pop a few sprigs of mint and a lime wedge on top for garnish and a little extra flavor.
What if I don’t have a muddler?
If you have a barspoon or any regular kitchen spoon, you’re in business. Just use the back of your utensil and get to smushing that mint.
Gin Mojito Variations
Mojitos are one of the most flexible drinks in the cocktail world, lending themselves to a plethora of resplendent and delicious recipes. Twist & Toast has plenty of these to keep your next gathering bumping all night long, or if you’re planning on a chill night at home with a good book. Try out some of these this weekend.
- Orange Mojito – You’ll never get scurvy with this citrusy take on the classic.
- Blueberry Mojito – Make yourself this fruity and blueberry-infused treat after a long day for some serious relaxation.
- Virgin Mojito – Sometimes I’ll take a break from alcohol for a few weeks, and this booze-free cocktail keeps me at the party.
- Frozen Mojito – Perfect for a summer’s day, either lounging at the beach or hanging out at the poolside bar.
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