Cocktails & Drinks

Classic Mint and Lime Mojito

A crisp, refreshing cocktail with white rum, fresh lime juice, and muddled mint. Simple to make and endlessly satisfying on a warm evening.

5 (2 reviews)
By Ricky Robinson Updated June 16, 2026

The mojito is a straightforward cocktail that gets its character from a few fresh ingredients done properly. White rum, fresh lime juice, a little sugar syrup, and good mint — that's all there is to it. The muddling step is important: you want to press the mint firmly enough to release the oils, but not so hard that you bruise and shred the leaves, which can make the drink bitter.

Gently muddling the mint releases its natural oils without making the drink bitter — a light press is all it needs.

Using crushed ice rather than cubed ice keeps the drink cold without diluting it too quickly, and it gives the mojito its characteristic texture. Fresh lime juice is non-negotiable here — bottled juice won't give you the same bright, clean flavour.

Classic Mint and Lime Mojito recipe image
Classic Mint and Lime Mojito

The "1 part" ratio system used in this recipe makes it easy to scale. For a single cocktail, one part typically means 25–30ml, which gives you a well-balanced drink that's not too strong and not too sweet. If you're making a round for a few people, just multiply everything up accordingly and batch the rum, lime juice, and sugar syrup together in a jug before adding the sparkling water and mint per glass.

Sugar syrup is easy to make at home and keeps in the fridge for up to a month. Simply dissolve equal parts caster sugar and water in a small saucepan over a low heat, stirring until clear, then leave it to cool before bottling. You can buy it ready-made too, which saves a bit of time.

Add the sparkling water last and stir very gently so you don't lose the fizz. Serve immediately in a tall glass with a slice of lime or a sprig of fresh mint to finish.

Classic Mint and Lime Mojito

Lime Mint Rum
Total Time 5 min
Servings 1 cocktail
Calories 165 cal
Protein 0g

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Highball Glass
  • Jigger
  • Bar Spoon
  • Muddler

Instructions

  1. 1
    Place the fresh mint leaves in the bottom of a highball glass. Add the sugar syrup and gently muddle the mint for about 10 seconds to release the oils — press firmly but do not shred the leaves.
  2. 2
    Add the fresh lime juice and pour in the white rum. Stir briefly to combine with the mint and sugar syrup.
  3. 3
    Fill the glass generously with crushed ice.
  4. 4
    Top with the chilled sparkling water and stir very gently with a bar spoon to combine without losing the fizz.
  5. 5
    Garnish with a wedge of lime and a sprig of fresh mint. Serve immediately.
Ricky Robinson - Recipe Author
Ricky Robinson

Home cook sharing delicious recipes with a focus on flavour and simplicity.

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Tips &
Extras

Plate it up

Serving Suggestions

Serve in a tall highball glass filled with crushed ice, garnished with a wedge of fresh lime and a sprig of mint. Best enjoyed immediately while the ice is still crisp and the sparkling water is fully fizzing.

Make it yours

Variations

For a fruity twist, muddle a few raspberries or strawberry slices along with the mint before adding the other ingredients. You can also swap the white rum for dark rum for a deeper, more caramel-like flavour, or omit the rum entirely and top up with a little extra sparkling water for a refreshing alcohol-free version.

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5 • 2 reviews

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