Content

• Ingredients
• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Crush mint leaves for a mojito
• Method 2 of 2: Make a virgin mojito
• Necessities

Treat yourself to the complex and refreshing mix of mint, citrus and sugar, with this drink that is guaranteed to break through the summer heat. Even without the rum, this Cuban classic is packed with flavor. Keep reading to learn how to make a traditional version (minus the alcohol), or try a different take on the drink that introduces new flavors with fruit juices.

Ingredients

Servings: 1

• Mint leaves
• 1 tsp sugar
• Sugar syrup
• 30 ml fresh lime juice
• Crushed ice

To step

Method 1 of 2: Crush mint leaves for a mojito

1. Have a resource, such as a muddler. Unless you're a bartender you probably don't have a muddler lying around, but crushing mint is an essential part of a good mojito. If you don't have a muddler, you can improvise with a wooden spoon or even use the handle of a rolling pin.
   • If you do have a muddler, make sure it is made of unfinished wood. Anything that has been lacquered or varnished will eventually wear out and the lacquer will then end up in your drinks.
2. Place the mint in a thick, sturdy glass that does not break easily. You can also add the sugar as its rough texture can help crush the mint. Make sure the glass you are using is not too thin or delicate, or it could break during bruising.
   • Make sure to remove the leaves from the stems, as the latter will give the drink a bitter taste.
   • Spearmint is the type of mint most commonly used in a mojito, but you can experiment with peppermint or pineapple mint for different flavors.
3. Gently press the muddler onto the mint leaves and turn several times. You don't want to tear, crush or grind the leaves, because then the chlorophyll will be released in the veins of the leaf. Chlorophyll is very bitter and will give your virgin mojito a very unpleasant taste.
4. Stop when you smell mint or when the leaves start to tear. The leaves should remain whole, crumpled, and maybe with a few tears. The purpose of the crushing is to release the fragrant and flavoursome oils in the leaves, and choosing them ensures that the flavor is absorbed into your drink.
   • Crushing the leaves with sugar allows the oils to seep into the sugar, adding more depth to the drink.
5. Crumple the leaves in your hands if you are absolutely against bruising with a muddler. This is better than chopping the mint - it releases chlorophyll and also keeps small pieces of mint floating in your drink. Getting a piece of mint down your throat can spoil the pleasure of drinking a mojito.

Method 2 of 2: Make a virgin mojito

1. Crush the mint leaves, a teaspoon of sugar and sugar syrup in a tall, sturdy glass. A short glass, such as a tall ball glass, will make your drink look overflowing. The mojito is meant to have a lot of ice and moisture as it is a cooling summer drink that you should sip and enjoy. Too small a glass can also make the drink seem out of proportion.
   • The sugar syrup makes your drink completely sweet, because sugar does not dissolve completely in cold liquids. You can also use plain granulated sugar instead of sugar syrup, but you can leave the sugar on the bottom of your glass.
   • Turbinado sugar has a slight molasses flavor that some people really like, but the granules are too big to dissolve in a cold drink. If you want to use it, you must first grind it in a spice or coffee grinder.
2. A large or medium lime yields 30 ml fresh lime juice. If you don't have enough juice, squeeze another lime. To make sure you have as much juice as possible, place the lime on the counter and roll it under the palm of your hand, pressing down on the fruit a little. This will make the lime softer and easier to squeeze.
   • Cut the lime in half and place one half in an open hinged juicer. The flat part of the lime should face the rounded bottom of the inner cup. There should be small holes in the bottom of the cup to push the juice through.
   • Hold the clip over a bowl or glass.
   • Close the squeezer, and lower the top cup onto the lime.
   • Squeeze the levers of the press together. When the top cup presses cup on the lime, the lime will turn inside out and the juice will be squeezed out of the lime.
3. Add the fresh lime juice to the glass with your mint and sweeteners. Let the ingredients sit for a few minutes so the flavors can mix, then stir everything together. When your lime juice is at room temperature, the sugar may begin to dissolve in the liquid.
   • If you want to deviate from the classic Mojito, now is the time! Try apple juice, pink grapefruit juice, lemonade, strawberry puree, or other fruit juices. Who knows, you might come up with some really surprising and delicious flavor combinations!
4. Fill your glass with ice, at least three-quarters. There is debate about the use of crushed ice or ice cubes, so just use whatever you want. After all, this is your drink.
   • Crushed ice will cool your drink faster, but it also means it will melt faster.
   • Make ice cubes with crushed mint leaves so that when the ice cubes melt, the mint flavor will seep into your drink.
5. For the rest, fill the glass with club soda or mineral water. You have the option to change the recipe again and add ginger ale or lemon or lime flavored spring water in place of club soda. You get the same bubbles but a slightly different taste.
   • Garnish your drink with a sprig of mint or a slice of lime, or possibly a stir stick with candied sugar.
   • If the mojito is too sharp, add an extra teaspoon of sugar or more sugar syrup and stir it in.

Necessities

• Muddler (or ladle)
• Tall glass (pul or Collins)