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Best Mojito Recipe

This mojito recipe is simply the best. Read the comments to see what I mean!! Then try it and let me know what you think.

This is the BEST mojito recipe ever. I worked at it for a while and then I discovered a secret ingredient that makes ALL the difference!

I tried my first mojito one warm summer evening last summer when a neighbor invited us over and made a mojito with simple syrup and homegrown mint. It was fantastic. How have I lived 28 years without a mojito????

I asked him for his mojito recipe a few weeks ago, but he is a professional chef, so he was all, “It’s nothing! Just throw together simple syrup, lime, and rum.”

Um, hi. Have you met me? I need VERY. EXPLICIT. DIRECTIONS. Like with measurements.

So I took it upon myself to experiment with different mojito recipes until I found one as good as his. It took me three recipes and numerous tries to get it right. See what I endure for the sake of ye ole blog?

Here’s the secret: MINT-INFUSED simple syrupShhhhhh…  they’ll all be doing it. Sorry, I was channeling my inner Emeril there for a sec.

Simple Syrup

Mix 1 cup water with 1 cup sugar in a saucepan and heat until boiling. This is what it looks like before the sugar dissolved.

mojito recipe: mint infused simple syrup

Stir until the sugar dissolves (about a minute). Then turn off the heat. Toss in a handfull of mint leaves and let it steep (just sit there off the heat) for an hour or so. Strain out the leaves and store in the fridge till you’re ready to use it.

The Best Mojito Recipe

mojito1

Here is all you need for the perfect mojitos: mint-infused simple syrup, white rum, fresh mint, limes and I highly recommend a muddler. Club soda is optional; sometimes I just use water.

Then when you’re ready for a refreshing summer drink, here’s what you do.

Best Mojito Recipe
Recipe Type: Drinks
Author: Jo-Lynne Shane
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 1 drink
This delicious mojito recipes using mint-infused simple syrup.
Ingredients
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 handful mint leaves
  • 1-1/2 to 2 ounces of light rum
  • 1/2 lime
  • 1 can club soda (optional)
Instructions
Simple Syrup:
  1. Mix 1 cup water with 1 cup sugar in a saucepan and heat until boiling.
  2. Stir until the sugar dissolves (about a minute). Then turn off the heat.
  3. Toss in a handfull of mint leaves and let it steep (just sit there off the heat) for an hour or so. Strain out the leaves and store in the fridge till you’re ready to use it. (YOU WILL NOT USE THIS ENITRE AMOUNT in the recipe. Save any leftover for future use. Simple syrup stores in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.)
Mojito:
  1. Pour 1 ounce mint-infused simple syrup into a tall glass.
  2. Add a handful of mint leaves, and muddle it together. (Use a [muddler|https://amzn.to/PZZZsu] or a spoon.)
  3. Add crushed ice. Muddle some more.
  4. Add to that 1-1/2 to 2 ounces of light rum (depending on the kind of day you had.)
  5. Squeeze in the juice of half a lime.
  6. Add a splash of club soda and stir. (If you don’t have club soda on hand, just use water.)
  7. Garnish with a mint sprig and a slice of lime.

If you want to make a larger batch, it basically boils down to this: (Oh, I’m so punny!) Mix thoroughly 2 parts simple syrup to 1 part lime (or more if you like your drinks more tart than sweet) to 3 parts rum. Pour in a tall glass over ice, add a splash of club soda, garnish with mint and lime, and serve!

Yes, I realize that mojitos aren’t intended to be made in bulk. But if you want to make a few at a time, I won’t turn you in to the mojito police.

Love this mojito recipe??? Check out my other popular cocktail recipe posts!

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The Best White Sangria Recipe

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The Ultimate Bloody Mary

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Chocolate Martini Recipe

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111 Responses

  1. I discovered the wonder of the Mojito a few years ago during a sweltering south Florida summer. I absolutely LOVE them, but can only drink them when it is hot. I have also had a peach one and it was divine – oddly enough I had it at Benihana’s. Thanks for the recipe, as soon as it gets too hot here to do anything else, I am going to start drinking 😉

  2. I consider myself a bit of a Mojito connoisseur. And the secret is definitely fresh ingredients–and the mint-infused simple syrup! And I don’t care how “yesterday” those bad boys are….I will always love them!
    Sheesh, how sad it is that I enthusiastically appear out of the woodwork to comment on a cocktail recipe. I admit I’ve even gone as far to assert to my husband that my bar tending prowess might qualify as a Prov. 31 skill–almost makes up for my ungodly cooking). 🙂

  3. I very much enjoy a good nohito and have for years. My husband calls it bong water…..hehe…..whatever….they are truly tasty!

  4. You…you have made so very happy. I’m growing mint this year (in a planter!) just to make mojitos. You have saved me from searching in vain for the perfect recipe. YUM.

  5. Oh PERFECT. I was just wanting to find a good recipe for these. They look soooo refreshing, and I am all about a refreshing summer beverage involving lime and alcohol.

    And just between you and me, a Lime Edy’s popsicle eaten at the same time as a Tecate or Stella Artois is so yummy too! And in a pinch, I throw one in the blender with triple sec and tequila and have an instant margarita. 😉

    1. What a great idea with the lime popsicle! Can’t wait to try both. Endless possiblilities for things like camping, Have a battery operated blender but it won’t do ice. This would only take a walk up to the KW campground store to by the ice pop.
      Thanks for the tip.
      J

  6. I was trying to read all of these different recipes to look for the best one. Since you already did it and tried them…I’ll just use yours!! Thanks so much, I love mojitos and just found a mint patch in my neighbors yard!!

  7. I found your recipe on Google and celebrated my 31st birthday surrounded by 8 kids 11 adults and was smiling the whole time because the mojitos were so great! Thanks for sharing!

  8. I had my first one in Florida at Coconuts in Ft. Lauderdale last weekend. Thanks Juan! None of the others I ordered in other places where as good. Juan mentioned the simple syrup and I just had to try your recipe. It was spot on and delicious. Thanks. I will be making these in bulk next weekend.

  9. Yes, this is the one. We tried it tonight, steeped the mint in the simple syrup. My wife pronounces this the iconic mojito. Perfect balance of tart and sweet. Lucky day I hit on your blog. Thanks!

  10. Hey – If you need fresh mint swing over. We have a patch we have been growing for a while. If you plant it use a container that stuff spreads like crazy.

  11. I think the infusion of the mint into the simple syrup is genius!
    Might even make a fine Mojito when there’s no fresh mint around.
    Can’t wait to try this version.

  12. We made these Mojitos tonight with your recipe, and they are great! Very refreshing after a long, hot day.
    Thanks for the good tips.
    BTW, you simply must include the Club Soda to “finish” the drink.

    brian.

  13. HI! Thanks for the recipe! Discovered these while in Costa Rica in 2006 – really refreshing when its soooo hot. Getting ready for a 4th of July party – I have been growing a Kentucky mint – very juicy and beautiful ( in a pot, as always) love the idea of making the simple syrup for making mojitos en masse. thanks, again,

  14. Many thanks for your recipie, Housewife. I thought the best mojitos were at S.O.B.s in NYC. With your mint-infused simple syrup – now I have the best in NYC. Many, many thanks!

  15. Well I put too much simple syrup on the first go round into my glass….ugh…too sweet, so I took a better count of the ounces in the second go round (I don’t like too much sweet in my drink) and perfection, I don’t even think you need italian sparkler or asti in it, as the other website suggested…that would be too much sweetness!

  16. Love this recipe. Have been using it for two years and finally thought I would give you the shout out. I use the mint simple syrup when making homemake ice cream too. YUM.

    1. Ok… so I had my very first Mojito last week in DC. Would like to say it was the best ever… but being my first… anyway… I’m hooked! thanks for the recipe.

  17. I just want to thank you fOr your detailed recipe.
    Your story was EXACTLY mine. Down to the neighbor. I have ordered them other places or have tried the already mixed together bottle and nothing has compared to the one that was first originally made for me. I never knew I could make simple syrup on my own…I have been searching the stores for it. THANK YOU!!!
    I haven’t made it yet but I will be this weekend .

  18. LOVE it! My wife is a huge fan of mojitos, but I’ve never understood it until I tasted this one. Now I’m hooked as well. Thank you!

  19. I loved the recipe, I’m enjoying one right now as I type. 🙂
    This first time around I used Captain Morgan Silver Spiced Rum, which was pretty strong before I added the club soda, which added the fizz that’s familiar from the restaurant mojitos I’ve enjoyed before. I love the idea of adding the mint leaves to the simple syrup, it tasted wonderful. Thanks for posting!! *Grace

  20. Mojitos are pretty much the only way I like mint. Oh yeah, and thin mints. But, that is it! I never thought of the mint-infused simple syrup. I’m going to have to pass that along to our designated bar tender on vacation this year.

  21. I made a lot of money on mojitos long before they “trended” sometime back in the 90s and then got hot and then became “so yesterday”. I laugh at all that faddishness. Who cares? Mojitos are a fantastic summer cocktail. Any summer drink with lime and mint in it (and the soda is essential btw, as it affects the way the drink hits your bloodstream)… you just can’t go wrong. The mint-infused simple syrup is not a bad idea as a time saver but it makes no difference to the taste. I tend to think the traditional method of mashing up the mint leaves and sugar in the bottom of your glass before you add the ice, alchohol, lime and soda (in that order) will end up producing a better drink more consistently but that’s just my opinion … and apparently the opinion of the dozens of mojito-thirsty bar-flies I used to pull in from three counties around on Monday Mojito nights at my old bar. Thanks for posting your experiences. I always enjoy hearing about another convert. Mojito season is around the corner and I’m actually nurturing my mint garden now in preparation. 🙂

  22. Sounds interesting……….. i was badly looking for a good recipe of Mojito.. Hoprfully my friends will like this…

  23. I just tried my first Mojito the other day! So delicious and refreshing. Wayyyy too smooth- could be dangerous. I am certain it was not nearly as fancy as this so I am excited to give your recipe a whirl. We have company coming for 4th of July so I will dazzle them with your mojito skills- thanks! Found you on Pintrest!

  24. When you say “steep” what exactly do you mean? Should the water be boiling or should the temp be very low and the mint sit in the water/sugar mix for an hour? We are growing mint and have nothing to do with it but make Mojitos!! I found your recipe and it sounds the tastiest and most authentic:) Thanks for sharing!!

  25. Thanks for the recipe!! Just had my first mojito last weekend and immediately ran out to buy all the ingredients to make my own!! As soon as the simple syrup is finished, I will be enjoying my first homemade mojito!!

  26. You were right! This is the best mojito ever! It makes such a difference to infuse the syrup. Excellent! Right on, homegirl! Thanks!!!!

  27. I need to make a large Beverage Dispenser for a birthday party. Any ideas for making it taste good when making it in bulk?

    1. YES! At the end of the post, I gave bulk directions:

      Mix thoroughly 3 parts rum to 2 parts mint-infused simple syrup to 1 part lime to 1 part club soda or water. Serve over ice.

      Good luck!

      1. You never know what you are going to find…I was literally at Wegman’s shopping for a party and found your recipe, not knowing if it was seltzer or club soda or WHAT! Thank goodness I found an already trusted authority, even if I “met” you three years later… 🙂 Thanks again.

  28. Made these and they were delicious. Now trying again but scrutinizing instructions more – do t remember what I did. When do you add the mint to the simple syrup? Your instructions say after the water has boiled and sugar has dissolved, yet your picture shows mint in with undisolved sugar?

    1. I put the mint in after the sugar dissolves. Turn the heat off. Add mint. Let sit for an hour off the heat. Then use in drink or refrigerate till you make the drink. Make sense?

  29. Hey Ms. Shane, quick question. Should I use the mint leaves that have been steeped when making the actual dring or should I use a new batch of leaves? Thank you for the post.

  30. I was just wondering what a ‘muddle’ is – is a spoon involved? Is it similar to ‘slosh’? or maybe swirl. Good hot day today here in Colorado – I think one of your mojitos is going to be tested this afternoon.

  31. Came across your Mojito recipe and am anxious to try it. I’ve been making Mojitos for maybe 15 years from a recipe that came with a Mojito cocktail drink set. The only change that I’ve made to that recipe is what I think makes this Mojitos one of the best. The change was substituting tonic for soda. Takes the Mojito from bland to exceptional. My recipe also calls for a good 3-4 oz of rum, a whole lime, no water(?), two Tblsp of sugar, 12-15 mint leaves muddled w/sugar, crushed ice, topped off with a couple of oz. of tonic then shaken not stirred. This is all made up in a tall 12oz. glass. Try it……

  32. Had my first mojito at a thai restaurant last night and if they weren’t $15 Aust a pop, could still be there now drinking them….also if i didnt have 2 little boys to tend to. Thanks for this delish recipe…i am making syrup tonight

    1. Try Tequila… which is my fav– I make the simple sugar as Jo-Lynn said….for a single drink use 1.5 shots of tequila, use about 4 oz of the simple sugar, add a lime, a splash of club soda and about 7 ice cubes, blend until it is like a slushie– pour and garnish like she has shown with lime and mint…( use an umbrella thingy if you totally want to fake a vacation ) I squeeze a little more lime on top ( the scent of mint and lime is awesome)

      Now you will not get much done for the rest of the day, but with this yummy drink you won’t care.. in fact you will be HAPPILY defiant about not getting anything done. See win /win.

      I luv you guys. serirsly. I meen it… (deep sigh of total relaxation ) yay me !

  33. The mojito is my specialty, I usually use 7up instead of simple syrup because I am lazy, but I will try this. I find the difference in an average mojito and a good one is to muddle the lime peels and mint in the rum. Both mint and lime have essential oils which dissolve very well in alcohol (polar) and not water (nonpolar). Give that a shot or two.

  34. Personally I find it rather sad for you to use Bacardi rum in the cocktail since there are so much better rum brands on the market. For my favourite mojito I use Mount Gay Rum – it’s much more easier and interesting to your taste buds 🙂

  35. I enjoyed my best Mojito ever in Granada, Spain at Moorish quarters the web of small streets serving mostly waterpipes and tiny oversugared tea glasses with milk.

    That very special Mohito was served in Margarita glass (wide open ending type). Drink was almost fully trasparrent with some small ice particles barely visible in it and had a slightly blueish tone and some pulp of lime felt by taste only. At +25C warm night it was served ice cold which added much to the relief to us, tourists.

    It was so elegantly different from typical crushed ice stomped with mint that I was just fully enjoying it, wondering.

    Tonight is my wife’s birthday and I’ll be making my first mojito in a minute following mostly by your recipe but leaving out the crushed mint added at the end. I’ll call it Granada style. Lets see how it goes!

  36. so 4 years after this initial post and this recipe is still going strong! i just made it for myself and my boyfriend a couple of minutes ago and this recipe is delish!! i added a whole lime to each of mine (i love the citrusy taste of lots-o-lime in my mojitos) so tasty! thanks for sharing! i’m excited to use the leftover mint simple syrup in other things too (like iced tea, yum!). i work in a community garden as an environmental educator and we have tons of mint to spare and i know how i’m gonna be using it the rest of this summer! haha 🙂
    thanks again!
    j

  37. Love, love mojitos.. they are my go-to beverage in the summer. The husband even grows mint for me. I’ll tell you a couple of my secrets that I use from time to time.. instead of regular club soda, try them using Le Croix lime… extra little kick.. yum!! And if you want to make it a “skinny” mojito use Sprite zero as a substitue for the simple syrup and soda water.

  38. Thanks you Lynne .

    Today I am in a mood of Mojito but then, I had forgotten the recipe. This article helps. I am gonna run to the groceries right now !!

    By the way, I like you writing style. Yes you are punny !

    Thanks,
    Deepak

  39. I made mojitos several years ago and they were horrible. I have been meaning to try them again with a different recipe of course. Well…. I just did and your recipe is nothing like the one I tried. I do think it was the simple syrup infused with the mint that made them so amazing!!! I’m on my second one and felt the need to thank you. Thank you! Thank you! I may put my wine aside for a while and make this my new drink. I have some recipes with fruit added which I will probably experiment with but this will be the foundation of my drink.

  40. Hot time in the summer in the south – making a batch this evening after work! Thanks for the recipe and cheers!

  41. Hi, love the recipe, I have a big 10 litre drinks dispenser and I want to make your Mojito for my wedding during cocktail hour. What amount of everything should i use for 10 litres?

    Thankyou

  42. You just saved my Friday afternoon. It’s like 100 degrees in the shade and I have some mint simple syrup on the stove as we speak. Thank you! Great blog. Following you on FB, Instagram and Bloglovin’ as well now!
    Lisa
    Fresh Eggs Daily

  43. Sweet. I added ginger ale and bitters to mine and it floored me. The best drink ever. I can’t get enough.

    I think I’m going to tinker around with the simple syrup. Try it with different things, like Marciano Cherries, Fresh Ginger, Lemon, Orange, Pineapple. Maybe even Mango or Jolly Rancher candies.

    Perfect right now for this hot Southern California weather. : )

    1. You sort of drink around it, but sometimes you drink some. I’ve had them that way at restaurants before. That said, you can always strain it if you don’t like it. In fact, when i’m lazy, I don’t muddle any at all. I just garnish with mint and call it a day. The mint infused simple syrup has enough mint flavor.

  44. My husband and I love Mojitos they are our go to cocktail in summer… thanks for recipe!

  45. This IS the best mojito recipe ever but I make one change. Instead of club soda I use prosecco and everyone loves it!

  46. When I make Simple Syrup for my Mojitos I typically make quite a lot. One Cup Purified or Distilled Water, One Cup of freshly squeezed Lime Juice and Lime zest from half a Lime, then 2 Cups of White Granulated Sugar. Bring to a complete rolling boil for 2 minutes, stirring to make sure all the Sugar crystals are dissolved. Turn off the burner and add One Cup of bruised Fresh Mint. Stir well. Steep until completely cooled to room temperature. Strain in 2 layers of cheese cloth to remove all traces of Mint and Lime Zest. Bottle and cap it tightly. Refrigerate. *Because of the acid of the Lime Juice, this Syrup lasts for months. After pouring from the bottle, thoroughly clean the rim and rinse the cap, otherwise Sugar Crystals can form and make the bottle difficult to open* ENJOY!

  47. I love Mojitos but am usually disappointed when I make them at home. Your recipe sounded good (& easy) so I made a pitcher for Memorial Day & it was a hit!!! Muddled some sugar and lime before pouring & they tasted like they were individually made. So glad I have mint in my herb garden 🙂
    Thank you for this delicious recipe!

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