The best mojito recipe EVER with an easy mint simple syrup, limes, rum or tequila and a little something to make it sparkle!
If you ever come over to my house you’ll notice I have mint planted everywhere.
Seriously… I have it mixed in with almost all my potted plants and flower beds outside and this recipe is the reason why!
Side note on that... it is so easy to grow and doesn't need a ton of water. It spreads like wildfire so plant it somewhere you don't mind it taking over or spread pine straw or mulch around it to keep it from propagating.
Instead of just mixing (and mixing and mixing) grainy sugar into these mojitos like the traditional recipes call for, you make a quick and easy simple syrup then let the fresh mint leaves steep in the syrup.
Not only do you eliminate the grainy sugar, you get so much more mint flavor than you get from just muddling the mint.
So seriously much more.
Anytime I've ordered mojitos in restaurants or bars (not that I could tell you the last time I was in a bar) I don't really like them.
No matter how many mint leaves they add to the glass or how much they muddle them, I never really get the mint flavor.
Or maybe I'm just spoiled from making these with the mint simple syrup!
Sometimes I make the syrup in big batches then freeze it in pint-sized jars to use whenever I want. Not that it's hard to make or even that it takes long, it's just one of those why not? things.
Also? It is AH MAZE ING in iced tea!
I thought Southerners adding mint to tea was just something from the movies because I have literally never seen anyone do that but I tried some of this Mint Simple Syrup in my tea and fell in love. It makes you feel so cool in the summer heat!
Mandy’s Mojitos
Yield: 6 Servings
prep time: 5 Mcook time: total time: 5 M
The best mojito recipe EVER with an easy mint simple syrup, limes, rum or tequila and a little something to make it sparkle!
ingredients:
Mojitos
- 1 cup fresh lime juice
- 1 cup rum or tequila
- 2 cups lemon-lime soda
- 1 cup Mint Simple Syrup (recipe below)
Mint Simple Syrup
- 1 cup water
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 cup fresh mint leaves
instructions:
How to cook Mandy’s Mojitos
Mojitos:
- Combine lime juice, rum or tequila, soda and mint simple syrup in a small pitcher. Stir well then serve over ice.
- Garnish with mint sprigs and lime slices if desired.
Mint Simple Syrup:
- Boil sugar and water in a small pan until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, stir in mint leaves then let rest until mixture cools to room temperature (or at least two hours).
- Strain syrup to remove mint leaves; discard leaves. You can do this ahead of time and refrigerate up to one week if desired.
NOTES:
This recipe is a bit sweeter than most mojitos you’ll find in bars. If you prefer less sweetness, use club soda or lime LaCroix instead of lemon-lime soda.
Traditional mojitos are made with rum but I actually prefer tequila!
Definitely use fresh squeezed lime juice. I cheated once and bought bottled lime juice and the flavor was nowhere near as good. Just trust me on this one.
You’ll need about 8 limes to make a cup of juice. The Mexican grocery markets have limes at a fraction of the cost of other supermarkets. Same for cilantro and avocados so you might as well stock up on those too and make some guacamole to go with your mojitos!
Traditional mojitos are made with rum but I actually prefer tequila!
Definitely use fresh squeezed lime juice. I cheated once and bought bottled lime juice and the flavor was nowhere near as good. Just trust me on this one.
You’ll need about 8 limes to make a cup of juice. The Mexican grocery markets have limes at a fraction of the cost of other supermarkets. Same for cilantro and avocados so you might as well stock up on those too and make some guacamole to go with your mojitos!
If you love mint like I do, check out my friend Brandie's recipe for Mint Chocolate Chip Swirl Brownies!! They are so delicious and gorgeous too!
Keep up with my latest shenanigans by following South Your Mouth!
