Sweet, citrusy and minty, the classic rum-based Mojito is a refreshing summertime favorite.
When one thinks of James Bond, the thought of shaken, not stirred martinis probably isn’t too far behind. The iconic fictional secret agent’s name is often synonymous with the classic cocktail. But fans of the film series, and the Fleming novels, know that 007 enjoys more than just his gin/vodka libations.
In the movie Die Another Day, Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond finds himself in Cuba, decked out in an Aloha shirt and enjoying a few Mojitos at a beachside bar while wooing Halle Berry’s saucy CIA operative, Jinx. When they meet again in Iceland, 007 reintroduces himself with one simple word: “Mojito.”
This past summer I attended the annual James Bond get-together known as Gatherall. For my outfit, I chose to recreate Bond’s look as he enjoyed Mojitos in Cuba, and I arrived wearing a shirt that replicated Brosnan’s in the movie. My first cocktail of the evening? The Mojito, the recipe we’ll be making tonight.
Voted the most popular cocktail in Great Britain and France in 2016, the Mojito is a Cuban creation. Some say the recipe dates back to the time of Sir Francis Drake, when he crafted a concoction that was then known as El Draque. While this mixture was then called by a different name, all of the ingredients that ultimately make a Mojito were used.
So the next time you have a hankering for some minty, rum-based refreshment that will also ward off scurvy, make yourself a few Mojitos with our easy-to-follow recipe.
What Is the Best Rum to use In a Mojito?
While you can mess around with spiced, gold, dark or any variety of rum that strikes your fancy for this recipe, a white one is the best option. Clear in color, this subtle, tropically-tinged spirit mixes perfectly with the lime juice, sugar and club soda, crafting a balanced beverage that will keep you and your friends asking for another round.
Ingredients
- A handful of fresh mint leaves
- 2 teaspoons of granulated white sugar
- 1 ounce of juice from a freshly squeezed lime
- 2 ounces of light rum
- Club soda to finish it off
Instructions
- Place the mint leaves and sugar in a glass, then muddle them together.
- Pour the lime juice and rum into the glass and stir it well.
- Fill up the glass with ice and then top it off with some club soda.
- Give it a final stir and garnish with a sprig of mint and a lime wheel.
Nutrition
FAQs & Tips
A collins glass filled with ice is the perfect way to enjoy your Mojitos. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint to top your tipple off.
It is not recommended to prepare or save this cocktail for later. Because of the muddled mint and carbonation from the club soda, it is best to prepare and serve this drink fresh.
At 169 calories, an ice-cold Mojito will not only refresh, but it won’t fill you up either. So have two.
Along with the Daiquiri, the Mojito was often enjoyed by famed author Ernest Hemingway at La Bodeguita del Medio in Havana. The writer even left an inscription there, referencing his favorite drinks and the establishments he preferred them at: “My mojito at La Bodeguita, my daiquiri in El Floridita.” That said, some people doubt the inscription’s authenticity.
Variations on the Mojito
If you love a minty fresh Mojito, you’ll be pleased to know that there’s a hefty variety of them that are easy to make, and even easier to drink. Keep those bushels of fresh mint handy as you’ll be rushing to mix up the recipes listed below, as well as the others we have here at Twist & Toast.
- Gin Mojito – The botanical-forward spirit brings crisp, herbaceous flavors to your minty Mojito.
- Coconut Mojito – Creamy, fresh and fizzy, this is one cocktail that brings the relaxation of the resort to your home.
- Skinny Mojito – Need to watch your waistline? This calorie-counting cocktail is here to help.
- Virgin Mojito – Taking a booze break, but still craving something minty and fizzy?
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