I have a question....How were mojito's not ALWAYS made with gin?! The crisp juniper flavor pairs so well with mint and is one of my new favorite summer drinks. Give this gin mojito a try and I promise you won't be disappointed.
Mojito's are a Cuban drink and when made with fresh whole ingredients, they are hard to beat. Festive and refreshing, this gin mojito is an adult minty limeade.
This takes inspiration from the delicious fresh ingredients in my homemade Margaritas. Gin mojitos pair well with light and bright appetizers like citrusy Salmon Crudo, Mexican Tuna Ceviche or Mexican Shrimp Cocktail (Coctel De Camarones) Or, keep it super simple and serve these with a bowl of Jalapeno kettle chips. Yum. If you're looking to add something non alcoholic to your party, try this easy but exotic Kiwi Lemonade.
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Recipe Ingredients
Just 5 minutes and 5 simple ingredients will have you sipping on the best gin mojito possible. If you don't have a dedicated muddler or bar spoon, use the handle of a wooden spoon turned upside down.
- Fresh Mint - Lots of fresh mint leaves create the signature flavor of this drink. Use plenty for making the mojito cocktail and use extra mint sprigs for garnish.
- Lime Juice - Fresh is best. In a pinch you can use the bottled but using freshly squeezed lime will give your mojito that WOW factor and I highly recommend it.
- Gin - Use gin that you like the flavor of. I like a classic, juniper flavored gin like Bombay or Hendricks or if you are able to procure it, try the violet hued Empress gin that is made on Vancouver Island, BC.
See recipe card for quantities.
Step-by-Step Instructions
A mojito is a simple cocktail that gets muddled and stirred. Muddling is just a fancy word for bruising and blending ingredients, usually for a cocktail.
- Start by adding a generous handful of mint leaves and the raw sugar to a tall glass.
2. Next, use your cocktail spoon, muddler or blunt wooden spoon handle to mash the leaves gently into the sugar. This process releases the flavor of the mint to make your drink fragrant without becoming bitter. Don't muddle your mint into little pieces (hello green bits in your teeth), just muddle until it is bruised looking.
3. Next add the gin and stir to dissolve the sugar.
4. Add fresh lime juice and stir once more.
5. Fill your glass with ice and lime wheels for garnish if you like.
6. Pour club soda or sparkling water in to fill glass (approximately 2-4 oz) and give one more gentle stir.
7. Finish by garnishing with a big sprig of mint and a lime wedge or wheel and serve right away.
Hint: Store gin in the freezer and soda and lime in the fridge so you can start with chilled ingredients. This will help ensure a cold fresh gin mojito cocktail with minimal dilution.
Substitutions
Raw Sugar - If you don't have raw sugar you can substitute an equal amount of plain white granulated sugar. You can also use simple syrup. Measure ¾ oz simple syrup in place of each tablespoon of sugar.
Variations
This drink is fantastic and simple so don't stray too far but here are a few easy variations.
- Mocktail Mojito - Swap the gin and soda for equal amounts of tonic water (if you want that bitter herbal note) or simply omit gin and top up with extra soda.
- Classic Mojito - Just use white rum instead of gin and you have the original!
- Coconut Mojito - Switch the gin for Malibu coconut rum for a tasty coconut lime mojito.
Make Ahead and Storage
You can premix all the ingredients for these gin mojitos except the soda and ice, strain out the mint leaves and refrigerate covered up to 3 days. Once you're ready to serve, fill glasses with a sprig of mint and ice, add lime-mint-gin mix, top with soda and give a quick gentle stir before garnishing with extra mint and lime wedges.
Mojitos don't store well once fully mixed because as the ice melts the drink becomes diluted and over time the alcohol will evaporate. Leftover mixed drinks can be strained off ice and stored safely in your fridge for up to 1 week but the quality won't be quite as nice as when they are freshly made.
Do not freeze.
FAQs and Expert Tips
Spearmint or mojito mint are the best if you can get them. If you use a stronger mint like peppermint, go easy when muddling so you don't overwhelm the cocktail. Apple mint and wild mint are also nice mild choices for a gin mojito.
Muddling is a barkeeps technique for bruising fruit, vegetables and herbs to release their oils and aroma. Any blunt tool can be used but a muddler is similar to a pestle (from a mortar and pestle) with a thick handle and heavy wide bottom to mash ingredients without cutting or shredding them. See picture below.
The last piece of cocktail advice I will give you is this: Cold drinks are the best drinks. Use plenty of ice and start with cold soda and gin for the sharpest, tastiest and most refreshing gin mojito your guests will keep coming back for.
Related Recipes
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Recipe
Gin Mojito
Ingredients
- 10 Mint Leaves plus more for garnishing
- 1 tablespoon Raw Sugar or regular white sugar
- 1 oz Lime Juice
- 2 oz Gin
- 2-4 oz Club Soda (less soda=stronger flavored drink, more soda=lighter drink)
Instructions
- Add mint leaves and sugar to a tall glass. Using a cocktail spoon or muddler, muddle (mash) the leaves gently into the sugar.
- Add the gin and stir to dissolve the sugar. Add fresh lime juice and stir once more.
- Fill your glass with ice and lime wheels for garnish if you like. Top your glass with club soda or sparkling water until full (approximately 2-4 oz) and give one more gentle stir.
- Finish by garnishing with a big sprig of mint, a straw and a lime wedge or wheel and serve right away.
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